Imagine walking into a cozy café and being hit by the irresistible aroma of freshly baked muffins. Now, envision those muffins having a stunning green hue, speckled with black sesame seeds, and hiding a creamy, tangy surprise in the middle. This recipe for Matcha and Black Sesame Muffins uses modern kitchen gadgets to simplify the process and elevate your baking game!
### Ingredients
For the Muffin Batter:
– 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 2 tsp baking powder
– ½ tsp baking soda
– ¼ tsp salt
– 2 tbsp culinary-grade matcha powder
– ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
– 2 large eggs
– 1 cup buttermilk
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– ¼ cup black sesame seeds
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
– 8 oz cream cheese, softened
– ¼ cup powdered sugar
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
### Instructions
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a muffin pan with paper liners or grease it with non-stick spray.
In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and matcha powder. Whisk these dry ingredients together until they are well blended and the matcha is evenly distributed.
In another bowl, use an immersion blender or a standard hand mixer to combine the melted butter, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth and creamy.
Pour the wet mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients, then gently fold them together with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; it’s okay if there are a few lumps. The batter will be thick and luscious.
Now, for the cream cheese filling! In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. You can use a stand mixer or hand mixer for this step, but a whisk works too if you’re up for a workout!
To assemble, fill each muffin cup about halfway with the batter. Then, scoop a tablespoon of the cream cheese filling and place it in the center of each muffin. Top with more muffin batter until each cup is about ¾ full. Sprinkle the black sesame seeds atop the muffins for a beautiful finishing touch.
Place the muffin pan in the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the muffin (avoiding the cream cheese center) comes out clean. The tops should be slightly domed and beautifully green.
Once baked, remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy the delightful moment when you break open a muffin and see the creamy center peek through! These Matcha and Black Sesame Muffins are not only visually stunning but also a delicious fusion of flavors that will impress your friends and family. Perfect for brunch or as a sophisticated snack, they are sure to become a favorite in your recipe repertoire!