Festive St. Patrick’s Day Cacao Matcha Cups Recipe

Celebrate St.

Patrick’s Day with a delightful cacao matcha cups twist that blends rich chocolate and vibrant green tea flavors.

Layers of creamy goodness promise a festive treat for your taste buds.

Sweet and smooth textures create a memorable dessert experience.

matcha earthy notes complement the deep chocolate perfectly.

You’ll adore how simple ingredients combine into an elegant confection.

Ireland’s favorite holiday deserves a special culinary creation that sparks joy.

Whip up these delectable cups and surprise everyone with your creative cooking skills.

St. Patrick’s Day Cacao Matcha Cups

• Celebrate Festive Flavors: Dive into a delightful St. Patrick's Day treat that blends rich chocolate with vibrant matcha for a unique culinary experience.
• Craft Colorful Dessert: Create an eye-catching dessert that brings together contrasting textures and flavors, perfect for impressing friends and family during holiday gatherings.
• Quick No-Bake Magic: Enjoy a simple dessert that requires no oven time, making it ideal for last-minute party preparations or spontaneous sweet cravings.
• Customize with Ease: Personalize the cups by adjusting matcha intensity or adding fun toppings to match your taste preferences and festive mood.

Ingredients for Cacao Matcha Cups

• Chocolate Cookie Crumbs: A sweet and crumbly base that provides a rich foundation for the dessert.
• Melted Butter: Helps bind the crust ingredients together and adds a smooth, rich flavor.
• Cocoa Powder: Enhances the chocolate flavor and deepens the color of the crust.

• Cream Cheese: Creates a creamy and tangy base for the matcha filling.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps smooth out the cream cheese mixture.
• Heavy Cream: Provides lightness and helps create a fluffy texture when whipped.
• Matcha Powder: Gives the layer its distinctive green color and earthy green tea flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle depth of flavor to complement the matcha.

• Melted Chocolate, Mini Chocolate Chips: Provide a delightful chocolate garnish and extra crunch to the dessert.

How to Make Matcha Cacao Cups

Step 1: Crush and Blend Chocolate Base

Mix chocolate cookie crumbs, melted butter, and cocoa powder in a bowl until the mixture looks like wet sand. Press this chocolatey mixture firmly into small dessert cups or silicone molds, creating a solid foundation.

Chill the cups in the refrigerator while preparing the next layer.

Step 2: Whip Creamy Matcha Filling

Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl until super smooth and fluffy.

In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream until soft peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.

Sprinkle in matcha powder and vanilla extract, stirring until everything blends perfectly.

Step 3: Layer and Smooth

Carefully spoon or pipe the vibrant green matcha mixture over the chilled chocolate crust.

Use a spatula to create a smooth, even surface. Return the cups to the refrigerator and let them set for at least one hour.

Step 4: Add Final Touches

Drizzle melted chocolate over the chilled cups in elegant swirls. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top to create a delightful crunch and extra chocolatey surprise.

Serve chilled and enjoy this festive St. Patrick’s Day treat!

Tips for Smooth Matcha Cacao Cups

• Select high-grade ceremonial matcha powder for the most vibrant green color and rich, smooth flavor in your dessert.
• Refrigerate the cups for at least 2 hours to ensure the layers set firmly and develop a creamy, luxurious consistency.
• Pat the cream cheese dry with paper towels before mixing to avoid excess moisture that could make the matcha layer runny.
• Toast the cookie crumbs briefly before mixing with butter to intensify the chocolate flavor and add a subtle nutty undertone.
• Dust with extra matcha powder or add festive green sprinkles to make the St. Patrick's Day theme pop more vibrantly.

Variations on Matcha Cacao Cups

• Vegan Green Goddess Cups: Replace cream cheese with coconut cream, use vegan butter, and swap heavy cream with coconut whipped cream for a plant-based version.
• Gluten-Free Luck of the Irish: Use gluten-free chocolate cookies for the crust, ensuring the recipe remains safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Low-Sugar Shamrock Treat: Substitute powdered sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining delicious flavor.
• No-Bake Emerald Energy Cups: Skip the baking process entirely, creating a quick and easy no-cook dessert that still captures the St. Patrick's Day spirit.

Pairings for Cacao Matcha Cups

A smooth, rich Irish whiskey complements the matcha’s earthy notes and balances the dessert’s sweetness, creating a luxurious St. Patrick’s Day experience.

A dark, creamy stout with mint undertones perfectly matches the chocolate crust and matcha layers, offering a festive Irish-inspired pairing.

A warm, frothy green tea latte echoes the matcha flavor, providing a comforting and cohesive taste profile that highlights the dessert’s key ingredients.

Tart raspberries or strawberries add a bright, fresh contrast to the rich, creamy matcha cups, cutting through the dessert’s decadence.

Storage Guidelines for Matcha Cups

• Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keep the cups chilled to maintain their creamy texture and prevent flavor loss.
• Wrap individual cups tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Let the cups sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to soften slightly. This helps restore the creamy consistency without compromising the dessert's structure.
• Before serving, sprinkle fresh mini chocolate chips or drizzle additional melted chocolate to revive the dessert's visual appeal and add a crisp texture.

FAQs

• What is matcha and why is it used in this recipe?

Matcha is a finely ground green tea powder from Japan, known for its vibrant green color and rich, earthy flavor. In this recipe, it adds a unique taste and beautiful green hue to the dessert cups.

• Is this dessert difficult to make?

Not at all! These St. Patrick’s Day Cacao Matcha Cups are surprisingly simple to prepare. With basic baking skills and a few key ingredients, anyone can create these delightful treats in under an hour.

• Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, these dessert cups are perfect for making in advance. You can prepare them a day or two before serving, which makes them great for parties or holiday gatherings. Just keep them refrigerated until ready to serve.

St. Patricks Day Cacao Matcha Cups Recipe

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4.8 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Festive St. Patrick’s Day Cacao Matcha Cups blend Irish spirit with delightful green-hued chocolate treats. Rich layers of matcha and cacao create a sweet celebration perfect for embracing holiday cheer you’ll savor with delicious enthusiasm.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) chocolate cookie crumbs
• 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) cocoa powder

Filling:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) matcha powder
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla extract

Topping:

• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) mini chocolate chips, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Craft a robust chocolate base by thoroughly blending chocolate cookie crumbs, melted butter, and cocoa powder into a cohesive mixture.
2. Distribute the crumb mixture evenly across small dessert cups, pressing firmly to create a compact foundation.
3. Chill the chocolate crust in the refrigerator while preparing subsequent layers.
4. Whip cream cheese and powdered sugar until achieving a silky, uniform texture.
5. Separately whip heavy cream until soft, billowy peaks emerge.
6. Gently incorporate whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, maintaining airy consistency.
7. Introduce matcha powder and vanilla extract, stirring until completely integrated and color is uniform.
8. Layer the matcha cream mixture atop the chilled chocolate crust, using a spatula to create smooth, even surfaces.
9. Refrigerate the dessert cups for approximately 1 hour, allowing layers to solidify and flavors to meld.
10. Enhance visual appeal by drizzling melted chocolate across the surface.
11. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips for added texture and decorative finish.
12. Serve chilled for optimal taste and presentation.

Notes

• Experiment with gluten-free cookie crumbs to make the recipe suitable for those with dietary restrictions.
• Use dairy-free cream cheese and coconut whipped cream as alternatives for a vegan version of the dessert.
• Adjust matcha powder quantity based on personal taste preferences, starting with less and gradually increasing for a balanced flavor.
• Freeze the cups for a firmer texture and longer storage, perfect for preparing in advance of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Refrigerating
• Cuisine: Irish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 158 kcal
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 35 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg