10 Best Japanese Cake Recipes To Make at Home

One of the most famous Japanese cake recipes is the cotton cheesecake.

But between matcha rolls and strawberry cakes, there’s so much more to explore.

Although dessert after a meal isn’t standard in Japan, they still love their sweet treats and desserts.

And candy is super popular, too, from crunchy wafers to hard suckers.

I love exploring new cultures through food, and these Japanese cake recipes are some of my faves.

This list is short but sweet (pun intended), and I just know you’ll fall in love at first bite.

Easy Japanese Cotton Cheesecake and More!

1. Japanese Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberry shortcake was one of my favorite desserts growing up. (Who am I kidding? It still is today!)

However, this Japanese version is different from the one I’m used to eating. 

Fortunately, it’s just as incredible. 

It’s light, fluffy, and not overly sweet. Additionally, it’s a beautiful, elegant cake that’s perfect for special occasions.

It features soft cake layers separated by cream frosting and strawberries.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve had it before or are trying it for the first time – it’s sure to become a fast favorite. 

2. Japanese Castella Cake (Wagashi Sponge Cake)

This tender sponge cake is delightful and, well, spongy! In fact, it’s downright squeezable!

It has a warm, honeyed taste and is unbelievably light. 

You can make it with just seven ingredients in a little over an hour, and it tastes marvelous with hot or green tea. 

3. Japanese Cake Roll

Soft, pillowy cake rolls are surprisingly popular in Japan. Maybe it’s their fun shape or the artistry that goes into making them. 

Whatever the reason, this one won’t be the last you see on this list.

This cake roll is a simple vanilla dessert. It’s sweet but not too sweet and refined but not hard to make.

If you want an easy introduction to cake rolls, try this recipe.

4. Matcha Swiss Roll

This strange green Swiss roll looks like something Dr. Seuss would dream up. It’s totally real, though!

It gets its attractive green color from the matcha powder. That also gives it its unique, hard-to-match flavor.

It’s a light cake that won’t weigh you down. It also won’t leave you feeling like you’ve inhaled a sugar factory.

It’s an excellent choice for those who don’t like super sweet desserts.

5. Matcha Mille Crepe Cake

This matcha Mille crepe cake looks incredible.

That green color pops at any angle, and you know it’s bursting with fabulous green tea goodness.

It features several super-thin layers of matcha crepes. You’ll separate them with loads of whipped cream between each one.

Don’t let the garden-fresh green fool you, though. This cake is pretty decadent.

And while it looks pretty straightforward, those crepes take a while to make!

6. Chocolate Cake Roll

Eating this airy, pillow-soft cake roll is like eating a chocolate cloud. Each bite practically melts on your tongue.

It’s also a fantastic way to get your chocolate fix. You’ll get all the rich cocoa flavor you love, but it’s not too sweet.

Just be careful that you don’t overdo it. Since it isn’t too sweet, eating the whole thing yourself is easy.

7. Japanese Fruit Roll Cake

Imagine a fruit cake but in spongy cake roll form. That’s precisely what this Japanese fruit roll cake is. 

It’s a sweet vanilla cake filled with whipped cream and your favorite fruits and berries.

The recipe recommends kiwis, clementines, and strawberries. However, you can experiment with whatever fruits you like.

Blackberries and raspberries taste lovely in the mix, as do apples and blueberries.

8. Matcha Pound Cake

The deep green swirl of this matcha pound cake is beautiful and appealing. It’s so pretty, you might not want to eat it!

Who am I kidding? It’s too good to pass up. Just be sure you get a picture first!

It’s spectacularly delicious and makes a terrific brunch cake, especially on a hot summer day.

9. Japanese Cheesecake

Japanese cheesecake is wiggly, jiggly, and full of mild but sweet flavors.

It’s also impossibly easy to make, and you probably have everything you need to make it right now.

It has a sweet and tangy cream cheese taste. However, it looks nothing like American cheesecakes.

Personally, I think the Japanese version is much more elegant. It’s lighter, too, so you can enjoy more than one slice!

Try it the next time you want to wow your guests with something new.

10. Japanese Chiffon Cake

Japanese chiffon cake may be the most unique-looking cake on the list. It also has one of the most uniquely flavored. 

You’ll make it with vanilla, matcha, and Hojicha tea. The result is honestly a little hard to describe.

Just try it for yourself, and let me know what you think!