Espresso Buttercream Frosting

This Espresso Buttercream Frosting is so decadent and lusciously creamy. Coffee lovers rejoice, this is definitely going to become your favorite frosting recipe. 

I came across a recipe for espresso buttercream frosting a few years ago and it has been a favorite with my family ever since. My mom and I are both huge coffee drinkers. We take any excuse to try more coffee desserts.

When we find a recipe that satisfies both of our tastes, it’s like hitting the jackpot, and that’s what this recipe is!

Admittedly, any coffee dessert makes me curious. I’ve tried a lot of recipes that have coffee in them, but they just don’t deliver on flavor or it isn’t pronounced enough. This recipe is certainly not like the others.

When I started experimenting with this recipe, I made it with a chocolate cupcake. While it was good, the chocolate overpowered the coffee in the frosting. Also, I’m not a super big fan of chocolate cake to begin with. Vanilla cupcakes give the espresso frosting a chance to really shine.

These cupcakes use instant espresso powder as their secret weapon. It’s concentrated enough that even when put into a batch of frosting it still packs a punch. Once you dissolve it in vanilla extract, it’s a recipe for delicious espresso flavored frosting. 

The best part about this recipe is that it’s pretty easy! It starts with a classic white cake recipe. You can make it with yellow cake if you don’t want to go through the hassle of separating eggs.

How To Make Buttercream Frosting

At first it may seem like buttercream is complicated or hard to make because it’s regarded as somewhat fancy frosting. Let me tell you, I was intimidated the first time I made it. But it’s not that difficult, I promise. The electric mixer does most of the work! 

• The first step is to add the espresso to the vanilla and stir it well until it’s smooth, with no lumps. Set this aside for later.
• Next, beat the butter on high using the whisk attachment of a stand mixer or a regular electric mixer. Then reduce speed, and add in the powdered sugar a little at a time, waiting until it’s incorporated each time before adding more.
• Whip for a minute or two to make sure everything is fully combined and it’s light and fluffy.
• Now you add in the espresso-vanilla mixture and stir that in with a spatula until it’s fully combined. You don’t want to use the mixer for this step, as it can lead to over mixing.
• When the frosting is mixed, you can use it right away to frost your cupcakes or cake. I use a silicon reusable piping bag and tips. I think it’s the easiest way to frost cupcakes and they look beautiful. You can sprinkle on a bit of espresso powder to add extra contrast.

Other Recipes to try

• Chocolate Banana Muffins
• No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake
• Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Espresso Buttercream Frosting

This Espresso Buttercream Frosting is so decadent and lusciously creamy. Coffee lovers rejoice, this is definitely going to become your favorite frosting recipe. 

4.92 from 12 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 1 Batch

Author: Jillian Morris

Ingredients

• 1 ½ tsp espresso powder
• 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup unsalted butter softened
• 2 ½ cups powdered sugar

Instructions

• Dissolve the espresso powder in the vanilla in a bowl or cup and set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer add in the butter and beat with a whisk attachment on high for five minutes. Reduce the speed to low and slowly add the powdered sugar- ½ cup increments are good- and let each addition completely combine.
• Once all of the powdered sugar is in, scrape the bowl and then whip for a minute or two until fluffy and light.
• After that add in the espresso-vanilla mixture and mix on low until combined.

Notes

This recipe makes about 1 1/2 cups of frosting, enough to frost a dozen cupcakes.

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Jillian Morris

Jillian Morris is the resident baker for A Food Lover’s Kitchen. She started baking when she was very little and found she had a great passion for it. She is a high-schooler in a small town in Oregon, where she enjoys music, writing, and baking in her spare time.