Ahhh, the promise of Spring … we know it’s coming; it’s just hard to imagine at this point in our dreary Midwest Winter. To cope, we’re doing what we can to bring a little Spring into 
our lives. Case in point: about 10 days ago, we got in our first batch of Sakura Sencha, and it sold out within a day or two!
With March around the corner and Spring on the brain, I thought I’d share a recipe for one of our more popular bright green treats, perfect for a St. Patty’s Day afternoon tea celebration, or just about anytime you feel like reminding yourself that Spring will come.
Matcha Mochi Bars
1 (1 lb.) box mochiko (mochi flour)
1-1/4 cups sugar
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. salt
scant 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1-1/2 tsp. matcha (or to taste)
3 eggs
1-1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup oil
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Whisk all the dry ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, milk, and oil. Add the dry ingredients and stir until the batter is smooth. Spoon the batter into a greased 9″ x 13″ baking pan and bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Browning the edges gives a nice crispy texture, which serves as a pleasant crunchy contrast to the chewy insides. These last about two days at room temperature, but they also freeze well. Pop in the toaster oven prior to serving for best results if you leave them out for longer than a day.
I never heard of mochiko flour – just those squares in the package which you heat up-one of my husband’s favorites actually. I’ll be sure to get to the Japanese market when I’m in Portland next. I hadn’t associated matcha with spring – can easily see that bright green doing the trick. I’m so ready for spring this year. Thanks for the very interesting recipe.
Ok Tracy now you’ve done it. You gave away your TRADE secret to my favorite bar that you have at the tea shop. I’m going to have to search for the special flour but not to worry, I’ll still get mine from Essencha! What you forgot to mention is that yours at the shop have black sesame seeds on top which really adds a nice touch both visually and texturally and they are delicious! I’m not usually attracted to sweet types of items but this one has just the right items that work like the 3 bears, not too sweet, not too bitter/sour, its JUST right. Thanks Tracy for sharing and do try the sesame seeds on top!
As someone who doesn’t enjoy cooking, I wonder if this can be purchased at a store…
Thanks for the comments, everyone! Mochi flour (aka mochiko) can be purchased at Kroger here in the Midwest Michelle, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding it, esp. with more people foregoing gluten in their diets. Fr Patrick, this is a really good recipe, but it’s not the vegan recipe I use at the teahouse, which is a secret because it took awhile to develop. I like both recipes equally though! As far as just buying these st the store, Ifang, you may be able to find something like this at an Asian grocery store or sweets shop. Good luck!