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–+ servings
A mocha cupcake on a mini cake plate.
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Mocha Cupcakes

The perfect balance of chocolate and coffee in a moist and rich cupcake.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 18 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 38 minutes
Servings 24
Calories 430kcal
Author John Kanell

Ingredients

INGREDIENTS

For the Cupcakes:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 ⅔ cups granulated sugar
  • 3 tbsp cocoa powder nice quality
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp baking soda
  • 1 ½ tbsp baking powder
  • ½ cup sour cream warm
  • 1 cup buttermilk warm
  • 3 eggs large
  • 1 1/4 cups coffee hot 300ml, strong
  • 1/2 cup water
  • ¾ cup veggie oil

For the Buttercream:

  • 1/2 pound butter unsalted, room temperature
  • 1 lb confectioners sugar
  • 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1/2 tbsp espresso powder
  • 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 tbsp heavy cream
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt

For the Assembly:

  • 1/2 cup chocolate covered espresso beans
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chopped, melted, cooled

Instructions

INSTRUCTIONS

    For the Cupcake Batter:

    • Preheat oven to 350F.
    • Add papers to a cupcake pan.
    • Sift together the dry ingredients (including the sugar) into the bowl of a stand mixer and whisk to combine.
    • Add the wet ingredients into a large bowl and whisk together.
    • Add the wet ingredients the dry ingredients.
    • Whisk to combine then mix on level 2 for two minutes.
    • Distribute batter evenly to cupcake papers. Bake for about 15-20 minutes at 350F or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
    • Allow time to cool for 10 minutes to cool fully.

    For the Mocha Buttercream:

    • In a medium bowl, sift the confectioners’ sugar, cocoa and espresso powder. 
    • In a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, whip the butter for about 5 minutes. 
    • Beat in the confectioners sugar mixture slowly.
    • Add vanilla and drizzle in the cream while beating until desired consistency is reached. Transfer to a piping fitted with an 858 tip. 

    For the Ganache:

    • Give chocolate a rough chop. Melt and allow to cool. 

    For the Assembly:

    • Remove the core of the cupcake.
    • Drizzle chocolate ganache. 
    • Pipe the buttercream. 
    • Top each dollop with a chocolate covered espresso bean. Dust with cocoa powder. 

    Video

    Notes

    • You can make a ganache with any liquid really so go ahead and add coffee, brandy, bourbon or whatever else you desire instead of the cream! If you don't have chocolate covered espresso beans handy you can always add a drizzle of ganache on top of the buttercream for some contrast.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 430kcal