Espresso Cupcakes Recipe

If you're a fan of chocolate cupcakes, it's time to give this Espresso Cupcakes Recipe a try! Coffee lovers will agree that adding the espresso flavor is dessert perfection in every single bite. Get ready - you're about to discover one of your new favorite things! 

Growing up, I had a dream to be a professional cake tester, so I'd say that being able to create recipes and share them and write about them is pretty much nailing that thought. I'm al little bit obsessed with how these chocolate coffee cupcakes turned out - so I can't wait to hear what you think about them. 

In my opinion, they're the perfect way to get that fudgy cupcake texture paired perfectly with the espresso buttercream frosting so that everyone gets that coffee flavor in every single bite. Once you make a batch of these chocolate mocha cupcakes, you're going to be sharing the results with everyone on social media. Seriously, they're just that good. 

Be sure to check out my Cookie Dough Cupcakes for another super fun recipe and taste. You can never have too many cupcake recipes! 

Jump to:

• Ingredients 
• How to Make this Espresso Cupcakes Recipe 
• Top Tip
• How to Make Mocha Frosting
• Top Tip
• ​Variations 
• Common Questions 
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

Ingredients 

Salted butter - This will be used in the frosting as well as the cupcakes. I only use salted butter in my house. I do find that the bit of added salt balances the sweetness in desserts.

Sugar - To add sweetness to the cupcake batter.

Brown sugar - Helps to add a darker coloring as well as sweetness. 

Eggs - The main ingredient to help the cupcakes set.

Sour cream - Aids in helping keep the cupcakes moist. 

Vanilla extract - For flavor. 

Flour - The main dry ingredient of the cupcakes. I use all purpose flour.

Cocoa powder - Adds the dark coloring and chocolate flavor. 

Instant espresso powder - Gives the cupcakes and frosting its coffee taste. 

Baking powder - Adds texture to the cupcakes. Make sure your baking powder is always in date.

Milk - Used to help thin out the frosting if needed. 

Semisweet chocolate chips - For sweetness and more chocolate flavoring. 

Powdered sugar - Used to thicken the frosting. 

Chocolate covered espresso beans - The perfect topping. 

How to Make this Espresso Cupcakes Recipe 

Step One: Cream the room temperature butter and sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer or hand mixer on medium-high speed. Next, add the eggs. Mix well. Mix in the vanilla and sour cream. 

Step Two: In a different medium bowl, whisk the cocoa, flour, espresso powder, and baking powder.

Step Three: Add ⅓ of the mixed dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.

Add half of the milk, and repeat until all the ingredients are combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Step Four: Add the cupcake batter to the cupcake liners in a cupcake tin. I spray them with non-stick cooking spray to make sure the cupcakes don't stick. 

Step Five: Put the cupcake pan in the oven and bake for 18-22 minutes at 350 degrees.

How to Make Mocha Frosting

This frosting is the perfect compliment to coffee flavored cake or cupcakes!

Step One: To make the frosting, cream the butter. 

Step Seven: Add the espresso powder, sugar, and cocoa powder and stir.

Step Eight: Pipe the frosting on top of the cooled cupcakes.

Step Nine: Top with the chocolate covered espresso beans - and enjoy. 

​Variations 

Use a different frosting recipe - If you don't want to make your own frosting, you don't have to. You can easily use storebought frosting or top it with melted chocolate or even caramel sauce. To make the best cupcake, add whatever topping that you want to add. Or whip up some heavy cream and top them with whipped cream.

Leave out the espresso powder - If you're not a big coffee drinker or don't like the flavor of coffee, you can easily make this cupcake recipe with just chocolate flavor. These chocolate espresso cupcakes will still be delicious if you opt for only being a chocolate lover and not a coffee lover. 

Use instant coffee - If you don't have instant espresso, you can easily use instant coffee powder instead.  

Topping - Adding the espresso beans on top is optional. You can also garnish these with mini chocolate chips, chocolate sprinkles, or shaved chocolate.

Common Questions 

What is the secret to super moist cupcakes?

To make the perfect cupcake, adding a little bit of sour cream or unflavored Greek yogurt is key. This adds moisture to the batter so that the cupcakes will not be dry. 

How do you keep cupcakes moist before frosting?

If you're going to make these and then frost them later, you want to keep them moist. For the best results, let the cupcakes cool down completely on a cooling rack or a wire rack, and then add them to an airtight container. You can then add the frosting right before serving. 

Do I have to use paper liners for this cupcake recipe? 

If you want the end result to be fewer cupcakes sticking to the pan, then yes, I encourage you to use cupcake liners. This way, you keep all the good stuff in the liner and don't miss out on any of the flavors. 

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📖 Recipe