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Coffee Cupcakes with Espresso Buttercream Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 3 reviews
  • Author: Lucy
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 18 minutes
  • Total Time: 28 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Delicious Coffee Cupcakes topped with a rich, glossy coffee-flavored Russian buttercream. Moist cupcakes infused with espresso powder and a creamy, smooth frosting perfect for coffee lovers.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Coffee Cupcakes

  • 114 g (1 stick) Unsalted Butter
  • 100 g (½ cup) Granulated Sugar (caster sugar)
  • 110 g (½ cup) Light Brown Sugar
  • 1 Large Egg
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 2 tablespoon Espresso Powder
  • 190 g (1½ cups) All-purpose Flour (plain flour)
  • 120 ml (½ cup) Whole Milk
  • ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Salt

For the Coffee Buttercream

  • 227 g (2 sticks) Unsalted Butter room temperature
  • 396 g (14 oz) Condensed Milk
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • 2 teaspoon Espresso Powder


Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F / 180 °C (160°C fan) and line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugars: Cream the butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar together until light and fluffy.
  3. Add Egg and Vanilla: Add the large egg and vanilla extract, then beat until fully combined.
  4. Sift Dry Ingredients: Sift the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a bowl. Add half of this dry mixture to the batter and mix slowly until incorporated.
  5. Dissolve Espresso in Milk: Dissolve the espresso powder in the whole milk, then pour into the batter and mix until blended.
  6. Add Remaining Dry Mixture: Add the rest of the flour mixture and stir until fully incorporated into the batter.
  7. Bake Cupcakes: Scoop the batter into the cupcake liners and bake for 18 minutes or until the tops bounce back when lightly pressed. Remove and let cool completely.
  8. Make the Coffee Buttercream: Whip the room temperature butter on high speed for 5 minutes until light and silky smooth.
  9. Add Condensed Milk: Gradually drizzle in the condensed milk while whipping on medium speed to avoid splitting the frosting.
  10. Add Espresso, Vanilla, and Salt: Dissolve espresso powder in a tablespoon of hot water and add to the buttercream along with vanilla extract and salt. Whip for another minute until thick, glossy, and smooth.
  11. Decorate: Once cupcakes have cooled, pipe or spread the coffee buttercream on top. Optionally, decorate with chocolate coffee beans or cocoa powder.

Notes

  • Use room temperature butter for the buttercream; remove from fridge about 1 hour before use to achieve the best whipping texture.
  • If the buttercream splits, refer to guides on how to fix broken buttercream by adjusting temperature and mixing speed.
  • You can decorate cupcakes with chocolate coffee beans, cocoa powder, or leave them plain as desired.
  • Ensure cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent buttercream from melting.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cupcake
  • Calories: 350 kcal
  • Sugar: 30 g
  • Sodium: 180 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 60 mg