Description
Ultra-moist brownie-style chocolate cupcakes infused with bold espresso, topped with a silky whipped coffee buttercream. Every bite tastes like your favorite mocha latte in cupcake form.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup strong brewed espresso (cooled) or 1 tbsp instant espresso mixed with ¼ cup hot water
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips (optional, for extra richness)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (for the Coffee Buttercream)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp instant espresso powder
- 1 tbsp hot water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1–2 tbsp heavy cream or milk (as needed for consistency)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk melted butter and sugar until combined. Add eggs and vanilla and whisk smooth.
- Stir in the espresso.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in mini chocolate chips if using.
- Divide batter into liners (about ¾ full).
- Bake 15–18 minutes, or until centers spring back when lightly touched.
- Let cool completely before frosting.
- Dissolve espresso powder in hot water for the buttercream.
- Beat butter on high for 3 minutes, until fluffy.
- Add powdered sugar gradually.
- Mix in vanilla, salt, and dissolved espresso.
- Add cream 1 tsp at a time until frosting becomes smooth and pipeable.
- Pipe tall swirls using a large star tip. Optional: dust with cocoa or espresso sugar on top.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, add mini chocolate chips to the batter.
- Ensure the espresso is cooled before adding to the mixture.
- Adjust the consistency of the buttercream with heavy cream or milk as needed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg