Chocolate Coffee Cream Cupcakes

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☕🍫 Decadent, moist chocolate cupcakes with a luscious coffee cream filling and optional mocha frosting!

Makes: 12 cupcakes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (Prep: 25 min | Bake: 18-20 min | Cooling/Filling: 30 min)

Ingredients

Chocolate Cupcakes:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¾ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup buttermilk (or milk + ½ tsp vinegar, rested 5 mins)
  • ¼ cup freshly brewed strong coffee or espresso, cooled

Coffee Cream Filling:

  • ½ cup heavy cream, chilled
  • 1 tbsp instant coffee or espresso powder
  • 2 tbsp powdered sugar
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • Optional: 2 tbsp mascarpone or cream cheese (for extra richness)

Mocha Frosting (Optional but Heavenly):

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1¾ cups powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1–2 tbsp strong brewed coffee or milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Optional Garnish:

  • Chocolate shavings
  • Cocoa powder dusting
  • Espresso beans

Instructions

Step 1: Bake the Chocolate Cupcakes (Prep: 10 min | Bake: 18-20 min)

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners.
  2. Whisk dry ingredients: In a bowl, sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Mix wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk sugars, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
  4. Combine: Alternately add dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet mix, starting and ending with flour. Stir in coffee until just combined (don’t overmix).
  5. Divide batter evenly among liners (¾ full). Bake 18-20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.

Step 2: Make the Coffee Cream Filling (5 min + chilling)

  1. Dissolve coffee powder in 1 tsp hot water; cool.
  2. Whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla, and coffee mixture to stiff peaks. Fold in mascarpone (if using). Chill until ready to fill.

Step 3: Fill the Cupcakes (10 min)

  1. Use a piping tip or small knife to carve a 1-inch hole in each cupcake’s center.
  2. Pipe or spoon coffee cream into each cavity.

Step 4: Mocha Frosting (Optional) (10 min)

  1. Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, cocoa powder, coffee/milk, vanilla, and salt. Whip until fluffy.
  2. Pipe onto cupcakes and garnish with chocolate shavings or espresso beans.

Why You’ll Love These!

✔ Ultra-moist from coffee + oil
✔ Bold coffee flavor in every bite (filling + frosting!)
✔ Perfect balance of bitter and sweet
✔ Impressively gourmet but easy to make

Serving Tip: Pair with an espresso for a true café experience!

Enjoy these rich, coffee-kissed treats—they’re a chocoholic’s dream! ✨

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