Home > Recipes > Desserts > Coffee Cupcakes with Simple Mocha Buttercream
  • Nut Free
    nut-free-logo

Coffee Cupcakes with Simple Mocha Buttercream

These coffee cupcakes are exceptionally moist and SO rich in flavor! The perfect amount of espresso elevates the flavor of the chocolate and creates the ultimate mocha cupcake dream! Slather the top with lush coffee and chocolate buttercream frosting for a heavenly treat straight out of a professional bakery.

coffee cupcakes with cream baked

How I Fell in Love With Coffee Cupcakes

We all need a sweet little pick-me-up sometimes, and one day I realized I was sick of the standard chocolate and vanilla cupcakes we’ve all had a million times. I needed to create a new, more inspired cupcake recipe. 

I was sipping on coffee and remembered how even the tiniest bit of coffee amplifies the flavor of chocolate, and that’s how these coffee cupcakes were born. The velvety chocolate coffee cake topped with sweet and creamy buttercream has no business being this good! 

I could honestly eat a whole bowl of the chocolate and coffee buttercream (which has chocolate chips in it!) on its own. Whether the chocolate or the coffee pulls you into this recipe, these cupcakes will not disappoint! Let me know how you like this marvelous mocha treat!

Key Ingredients for Chocolate Coffee Cupcakes

coffee cupcakes ingredients with labels melted butter all purpose flour baking powder baking soda espresso powdered sugar egg sugar vanilla yogurt unsalted butter cocoa coffee and chocolate chips.

As decadent as these cupcakes are, I think you’ll find that nearly every single ingredient is already in your kitchen! 

All you’ll need are basic supplies like…. 

  • Unsalted butter
  • Flour- use all purpose
  • Sugar- white fine
  • Powdered Sugar
  • Baking soda
  • Baking powder
  • Eggs- large
  • Cocoa Powder
  • Vanilla Yogurt
  • Chocolate Chips- simi

Then comes the good stuff! You’ll also need some espresso, so you can either make it on your own or purchase some pre-made espresso from your local coffee shop or grocery store. In addition to espresso, you’ll need a couple of tablespoons of plain coffee!

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

How to Make Coffee Cupcakes

Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and sugar (granulated) until it’s mixed together. 

coffee cupcakes dry ingredients

Step 2: Combine Yogurt and Eggs

In a separate bowl, mix together the vanilla yogurt and egg. 

coffe cupcakes wet ingredients

Step 3: Butter and Preheat

Melt unsalted butter in the microwave or in a pan on the stove. Preheat your oven to 350F and prepare your two muffin sheets by greasing or lining them. 

Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients

Slowly combine the dry and wet ingredients and mix well. 

coffee cupcakes cake batter

Step 5: Add Coffee and Espresso

Add coffee and espresso to the mixed batter. 

coffee cupcakes wet and dry ingredients

Step 6: Bake

Pour the batter into your cupcake pan and then bake them for 12-15 minutes. (or when a toothpick come out clean when inserted)

coffee cupcakes baked

Step 7: Begin the Cream

Cream unsalted (softened) butter until it’s smooth and doesn’t have any clumps. 

coffee cupcakes cream

Step 8: Add Cocoa

Add cocoa powder and powdered sugar to the creamed butter mixture.

Step 9: Melt Chocolate Chips

Melt chocolate chips in the microwave or on the stovetop, and then fold it into the butter and cocoa mixture. 

Step 10: Add Coffee

On a low mixing speed, beat in dry coffee until the cream is smooth. 

coffee cupcake coffee cream

Step 11: Frost

Remove the cupcakes from the oven and allow them to cool. Then add the buttercream frosting to a pastry bag and pipe them on top of your cupcakes. Enjoy!

coffee cupcakes cream in bag

Recipe FAQs

Why is espresso good with chocolate?

Espresso and chocolate are a perfect pair because of the way they balance each other. The bitterness of the espresso and the sweetness of the chocolate highlights how delicious they both are!

What does yogurt do in a cake recipe?

Often, yogurt can replace both milk and oil. It adds creaminess, tanginess, and a fluffy moist texture.

What is the secret to good cupcakes?

I suppose there could be many secrets, but one I want to highlight in this recipe is room temperature! You’ll want the eggs and butter to be room temperature so leave them out at least 30 minutes before you use them. Also, allow the espresso and coffee to cool. 

coffee cupcakes final image

More Dessert Recipes To Try!

Other Tasty Dessert Recipes Using Cocoa

If you tried this Coffee Cupcakes with Simple Mocha Buttercream or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you enjoyed it in the📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!

coffee cupcake with coffee buttercream in an opened cupcake liner.

Coffee Cupcakes with Simple Mocha Buttercream Frosting

These coffee cupcakes are exceptionally moist and SO rich in flavor! The perfect amount of espresso elevates the flavor of the chocolate and creates the ultimate mocha cupcake dream!
5 from 2 votes
Rate Print Save Pin
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Allergy: Nut Free, Vegetarian
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings12
Calories: 638kcal

Equipment

  • Muffin pans
  • hand mixer `
  • Piping bag with tip

Ingredients

  • cup unsalted butter
  • 2½ cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 100 ml espresso
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 large egg
  • 150 ml vanilla yogurt

For the Mocha Buttercream Frosting:

  • 4 sticks unsalted butter
  • ½ cup chocolate chips
  • 1 cup cocoa
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tsp coffee

Instructions

  • Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl: flour, baking soda, baking powder, and sugar.
    2½ cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 cup sugar
    Dry ingredients in a large white bowl.
  • In a separate bowl, mix together the yogurt and egg.
    150 ml vanilla yogurt, 1 large egg
    Wet ingredients in a white bowl.
  • Melt unsalted butter in the microwave or over the stove in a pan.
    ⅓ cup unsalted butter
  • Preheat oven to 350F. Prepare your muffin sheets (you will need 2 of 6 or 12 muffins).
  • Add the dry ingredients with the liquid ingredients. Combine well together.
    Cupcake batter in a large white bowl.
  • Add in the 100 ml of coffee. Mix all well.
    100 ml espresso
    Ingredients making a batter for coffee cupcakes.
  • Put the batter into the cupcake paper holders in the muffin pan.
    batter in cupcake liners in a muffin tin.
  • In a pre-heated oven, bake the cupcakes for 15-20 minutes. Or when toothpick comes out clean when inserted.
    Baked coffee cupcakes in a muffin tin.

Mocha Frosting

  • Beat 2 sticks of unsalted butter (1 cup) softened. (Until smooth, with no clumps.)
    4 sticks unsalted butter
    Making the cream for coffee cupcakes.
  • Add in 1/2 cup of cocoa and 1 cup of powdered sugar.
    1 cup cocoa, 2 cups powdered sugar
  • Melt 1/4 cup chocolate chips in microwave or in pan, add to the butter mix.
    ½ cup chocolate chips
  • On low speed, beat in 1 teaspoon of dry coffee (fined). Cream will be smooth.
    2 tsp coffee
    Mocha buttercream in a white bowl.
  • Put the cream on the cupcakes using a cream pastry bag.
    several coffee cupcakes frosted with cupcakes waiting to be frosted and a piping bag on the side on a white plate.

Notes

  • Add nuts or chocolate chips to garnish. 

Nutrition

Calories: 638kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 110mg | Sodium: 152mg | Potassium: 476mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 1124IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @allweeat_com or tag #allweeat!

5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Hi, i is want to try this recipe. But I’m in England and am unsure how much butter 4 sticks is. Here one block is 250g is that the right amount? Thanks 😊