Coffee-Scented Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Coffee Buttercream
OK, I’ll admit… I totally didn’t understand the “scented” cupcake thing until now.
You always hear those fancy bakers from posh cupcakeries talk about pistachio-scented this and almond-scented that. And you know what? It used to sound silly to me.
But now I totally get it. In my Google quest to figure out what makes a really moist chocolate cake, I added a little secret ingredient to these cupcakes (the ones I baked into mason jars with my leftover batter). It imparts a mouthwatering coffee scent without making you feel like you’re eating a coffee-flavored cupcake.
Want to know the secret?
Instant coffee.
I bought a box of eight of these little Nescafé Clasico packets, used one to stir up a cup of coffee (J and I don’t have a coffee maker at home—sacrilege, I know!) and added that java-licious mug straight into the batter before baking.
The results were moist, mouthwatering and quite delicious when paired with a vanilla coffee buttercream frosting that features the same instant coffee powder mixed right in.
Now, the frosting’s not coffee-scented, that thing just tastes like a straight up vanilla latté.
No joke. A moist chocolate cupcake with a whipped latté on top.
Ready to chow down?
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- ¾ cups cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee
- ½ cup solid vegetable shortening
- ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 gram instant coffee powder (about one-half of an instant serving)
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line two cupcake pans with 24 cupcake liners (or just use mason jars!).
- In one bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well-combined.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla, then mix together until just combined. With the mixer still on low speed, add the dry mixture in three parts, allowing each addition to mix in completely. With mixer still on low, add the coffee and stir just to combine.
- Pour the batter evenly into your cupcake liners and bake it at 350°F for 25 to 35 minutes, or until a cake tester comes almost clean (it's the secret to moist chocolate cake). Let the cupcakes cool completely.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the shortening, butter and vanilla until combined.
- Increase the speed to medium and gradually add confectioners' sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape the sides and bottom of bowl as necessary. Add the milk and continue to beat the frosting at medium speed until it's light and fluffy. Add the coffee powder, then mix until it's combined throughout.
Kathryn
I don’t like coffee at all but I do like adding a little when I bake with chocolate – it just gives such a delicious rich taste. I love these cupcakes in mason jars, they are so cute. I just want to dive right in!
Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen
These look so good! I love that you baked them in mason jars. I used the cake portion of this recipe a few months ago for some marshmallow filled cupcakes, and it was amazing…I think the coffee really enhances the chocolate flavor.
Mai
they looks amazing!
Jackie Hale
Hi,
I want to ask you permission to use the foto of your chocolate cupcake for my blog’s October favorites round up. All credit will be linked to your blog as I normally do with all my round ups. You can respond to my request via my email and consider this an invitation to visit my little humble blog. Thank you,
Jackie
Taryn
Hi Jackie, I emailed you 🙂
Laura @ GotChocolate
Clever! Stunning! Looks delish too!!!
Anonymous
What could I use in place of shortening?
Jam
What could I use in place of the shortening?
Taryn
I’m not sure, but you could just use your favorite buttercream frosting recipe (without shortening) and just add some instant coffee to it!
swandiver
Are those 4oz Mason jars that you used?
Taryn
Yep! Those are 4 oz. canning jars.
Heather
My boyfriend & I just got our first coffee pot. It looks like we need to get ourselves some canning jars because this recipe looks (& sounds) decadent. I love the ramped up flavor that coffee brings to chocolate. Getting my mocha latte fix without leaving the hose? Yes please!
Cheers!
Heather @ Find That Warm Fuzzy Feeling
Chris Caldon
Very good recipe, I tried it with great success and shared it with my wife & both my mom & mother in law and all give it two thumbs up with a twist!
Thanks for the recipe,
Chris
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Keirsta
I can’t wait to make these! I did notice that you didn’t add the coffee in your icing recipe instructions. Do I dissolve the coffee in the milk or when do I add it? Thx.
Taryn Williford
Keirsta, I can’t believe nobody has ever pointed this out until now. Thanks so much! What I do is add the instant coffee powder as the very last thing. Once the milk is incorporated and you’ve beaten the frosting until it’s light and fluffy like you want it, add the coffee powder and beat it just a little longer until the powder is all mixed in.
Though you could totally dissolve it into the milk, too. That might give a milder coffee flavor overall.