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
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!