Coffee Cupcake

Introduction

Few treats bring as much joy to coffee lovers and dessert enthusiasts alike as Coffee Cupcakes. These cupcakes combine the robust, aromatic flavor of freshly brewed coffee with a tender, fluffy crumb—making them the perfect pick-me-up for any occasion. Whether you need a sophisticated dessert for a brunch or a sweet treat to accompany your afternoon break, this recipe promises delicious results with minimal effort.

Deliciously Unique Coffee Cupcakes

What sets this recipe apart is its balanced infusion of real coffee into both the cupcake batter and the frosting. This dual-dose of coffee flavor creates a cupcake that’s rich, nuanced, and not overly sweet. The cupcakes are light enough for everyday snacking yet elegant enough to impress guests at special gatherings.

Mastering the Coffee Frosting

For truly memorable Coffee Cupcakes, the secret lies in a smooth, creamy coffee-infused buttercream. Dissolve instant coffee granules in a touch of milk for a concentrated flavor that blends seamlessly into the frosting. When whipped with butter and powdered sugar, the frosting takes on a silky texture and a subtle coffee aroma that’s irresistible—perfect for piling high atop each cupcake.

Assembling and Decorating Your Coffee Cupcakes

Once cupcakes have cooled, dollop or pipe the coffee buttercream generously over each one. A light dusting of cocoa powder or a sprinkle of finely ground espresso adds a café-ready finish. For extra flair, decorate with chocolate-covered espresso beans or delicate chocolate shavings.

Serving Suggestions for Show Stopping Coffee Cupcakes

Pair these cupcakes with a hot cup of coffee or espresso for the ultimate coffee break experience. Serve them on a tiered stand for brunch gatherings, or arrange them in decorative liners for parties. These cupcakes also make thoughtful gifts—simply box a few with a handwritten note for the coffee lover in your life.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields 12 standard-sized coffee cupcakes. Per cupcake (with frosting), expect approximately 220–260 calories, depending on toppings and frosting thickness. Indulge in moderation, and savor the full flavor of every bite!

Deliciously Unique Coffee Cupcakes (Recap)

With their perfectly balanced coffee flavor and fluffy texture, these cupcakes are the ultimate crowd pleaser, proving that you don’t have to choose between a caffeine fix and dessert—enjoy both in a single bite.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together with a mixer until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. In another bowl, combine the cooled coffee and milk.
6. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with the coffee-milk mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined—do not overmix.
7. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners (about 3/4 full each).
8. Bake for 16–18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. For the frosting, beat the butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar. Mix in coffee (one tablespoon at a time) and a pinch of salt until you reach a smooth, spreadable consistency.
10. Decorate cooled cupcakes with frosting and desired garnishes.

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is perfect for meal prep and hosting. Save and schedule this recipe to seamlessly plan which days you’ll bake and enjoy these cupcakes, and generate smart shopping lists that consolidate ingredients with your other weekly meals.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates total ingredient needs for multiple recipes
• Organizes shopping lists by store sections for easy errands
• Reduces duplicate purchases and ensures you never forget an item
• Keeps your weekly meal prep efficient, fun, and stress-free

Pro tip: Schedule all your recipes to spot overlapping ingredients (like eggs or butter) across meals, so your shopping list reflects the real quantities needed—saving you time and minimizing food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 38 minutes