CHOCOLATE CARAMEL ESPRESSO CUPCAKES

i'm beginning to see a running (and delicious) theme here. my sister enjoys baking with coffee, and that's NOT a bad thing. last month she made an amazing peppermint mocha chocolate cake and this previous week, she whipped up some chocolate caramel espresso cupcakes that are SO good! scroll down for the full recipe. 

INGREDIENTS for the cupcakes

1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon hot water
2 1/4 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 sticks butter, cut into small pieces
1 2/3 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla
3/4 cup sour cream

caramel to taste

 

INSTRUCTIONS for the cupcakes

preheat your oven to 350 degrees

line two cupcake pans with liners

mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl

whisk the cocoa powder + hot water in a small bowl. set aside

stir together (over medium heat) the butter and sugar

transfer to a  stand mixer bowl and whip until creamy

add eggs, vanilla, caramel, and cocoa mixture, and then the dry ingredients.

mix until smooth and pour into pan. bake for approx. 15 mins

 

INGREDIENTS for the icing

1 cup butter, softened

4½ to 5 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoons vanilla

5 Tablespoons heavy cream or milk, I prefer heavy cream

¼ teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons of brewed coffee

vday at bb's.jpg

INSTRUCTIONS for the icing

in a medium bowl combine butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, cream/milk and salt

beat for 5 to 7 minutes until light and fluff

pour in the coffee

add more powdered sugar as needed for thicker frosting

 add cream/milk, a little at a time, to thin frosting.

score another one for claire and for coffee! the icing on these babies are seriously so good and taste just like coffee ice cream. the chocolate and the caramel in the cake really brings out the espresso taste. are you a fan of coffee foods? or do you like to stick to drinking it? or do you not like it at all? i'm pretty good with all of it's forms. haha. enjoy!


cake recipe adapted from here, and icing from here