Name: Chocolate Mocha Cupcakes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1½ cups hot brewed coffee; ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 2¼ cups all-purpose flour; 1½ tsp. baking soda; ¾ tsp. baking powder; ½ tsp. salt; 12 tbsp. room temperature unsalted butter; 1½ cup packed brown sugar; ¾ cup granulated sugar; 3 large eggs; 1 tbsp. vanilla extract; 1 1/2 cups butter at room temperature; 4 cups powdered sugar; 3/4 cup cocoa powder; 4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; pinch salt; 3 teaspoons instant espresso powder or instant coffee

Calling all coffee lovers! I have the cupcake recipe for you! Chocolate coffee cupcakes, also known as chocolate mocha cupcakes with mocha buttercream frosting. This Mocha Cupcakes Recipe has the perfect balance of chocolate and coffee. Top these homemade chocolate cupcakes with a mocha buttercream frosting and you have the perfect flavor combination.

This mocha cupcakes recipe is a favorite of anyone who has tried them! I know your whole family is going to love them as much as mine does!

Mocha Cupcakes Recipe – Chocolate Coffee Cupcakes with Mocha Buttercream Frosting

If you have been around here for a while then you know that I love coffee. I start my day with a cup and I end my day with a cup. I also love chocolate. My love for chocolate and coffee combines for seriously the best chocolate cupcakes. My favorite way to serve these fluffy chocolate cupcakes is topped with my chocolate coffee buttercream frosting recipe. The mocha cupcakes paired with the mocha frosting make for the most delicious mocha cupcake ever.

This chocolate Mocha Cupcakes recipe combines my chocolate cupcake recipe with my amazing Mocha Buttercream frosting for one of the most amazing dessert you will ever put in your mouth!

Really we all know that nothing beats chocolate and nothing beats coffee so when we put them together they are AMAZING! Every time I take a bite of this cupcake it reminds me of sitting in a coffee shop drinking a hot mocha. This cupcake and frosting combination is one of my favorites. It is also one that every time I make them everyone wants the recipe.

Chocolate Cupcake Recipes

What is mocha?

Mocha is a type of coffee beverage that combines espresso and chocolate flavors. It is typically made by adding a shot of espresso to a cup of steamed milk and chocolate syrup or powder. With this moacha cupcakes recipe we combine the chocolate flavor and the coffee flavor for a cupcake that is amazing.

overhead photo of 2 mocha cupcakes on a plate

Tips for Baking Cupcakes

Follow the recipe. Each cupcake recipe is different. It is important to follow the recipe as directed. all of our cupcake recipes have been tested multiple times to make sure they are perfect.

Bring ingredients to room temperature. Cupcakes will bake best when the ingredients are brought to room temperature before mixing the cupcake batter.

Allow cupcakes to cool completely. Before frosting the cupcakes let them cool completely. If you frost cupcakes while they are still warm then the frosting will melt.

Do not over mix. Over-mixing the batter will lead to tough and flat cupcakes. When making cupcakes you have to be careful that you don’t overmix the batter when you are folding in the flour mixture. If you over-mix your angel food cake batter your cupcakes will turn out flat. You want to mix everything just until mixed, over mixing will cause you to have rough and tough cupcakes. We all know that the best moacha cupcakes are light and fluffy.

Fill the cupcake liners appropriately. You do not want to overfill the cupcake liners. Follow the directions for the specific cupcake recipe, if the recipe doesn’t tell you how full stick to the 2/3 full rule. Which is roughly 3 tablespoons of cupcake batter per cupcake liner.

Use quality cupcake liners. While you might not think it matters a cupcake liner but having a quality cupcake liner will make it so your cupcakes don’t stick to the wrapper and peel off nicely so you can see the perfect cupcake in it.

Bake one tray at a time. Using the center of the oven rack and bake one tray of cupcakes at a time. This will give you the best cupcake results.

How to tell when cupcakes are done baking

I like to use the toothpick test when I am making cupcakes with the kids because it is easier for them to see and learn. But if you have been making cupcakes for a while you may not want to use that method.

If you are wanting an even easier method, the cupcake bounce method as we call it is even easier. Pull the tray of cupcakes out from the oven and lightly press on a cupcake in the middle of the baking pan. If if bounces right back and no fingerprint is left behind then your cupcakes are done. If there is a fingerprint you need to bake them for a few more minutes.

close up photo of a chocolate coffee cupcake on a plate

How to Store Cupcakes

It is best to store cupcakes in an airtight container on the counter. Cupcakes are best to be enjoyed within 48 hours of making them. They won’t be bad to eat after 40 hours but they will start to dry out and not be as fresh.

After frosting cupcakes, you are ok to store them on the counter for a day or 2 but after that, they should be stored in the fridge.

If you are storing them unfrosted you can store them in an airtight container or a plastic bag. If you are storing them with frosting on top I suggest using a cupcake storage container.

How to Freeze Homemade Cupcakes

You will want to freeze them without any frosting on them. Wrap them individually with plastic wrap and freeze on a baking sheet. Then once they are solid store them in a zip close freezer bag. They will keep for up to 2 months when frozen.

To thaw, simply remove them from the freezer and defrost them. Then frost as normal.

Tips for Decorating Mocha Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting

You will want to also check out How to make a cupcake swirl to learn the basics before making your frosting swirl. If you are using different flavored frostings and want them both on top of your cupcake swirled together, check out how to swirl two icing flavors. If you want to layer your frosting flavors, check out the layered frosting swirl!

Allow cupcakes to cool completely. Before frosting the cupcakes let them cool completely. If you frost cupcakes while they are still warm then the frosting will melt.
Use a piping bag. Instead of just spreading the frosting on top, cupcakes look so much better when you pipe the frosting ontop instead of spreading it and it is super easy to do.

Mocha Cupcakes Recipes Ingredients

1½ cups hot brewed coffee
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2¼ cups all-purpose flour
1½ tsp. baking soda
¾ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
12 tbsp. room temperature unsalted butter
1½ cup packed brown sugar
¾ cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 tbsp. vanilla extract

Mocha Cupcakes Recipe Mocha buttercream frosting Recipe Ingredients

Mocha Buttercream Frosting Ingredients

1 1/2 cups butter at room temperature
4 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup cocoa powder
4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
pinch salt
3 teaspoons instant espresso powder or instant coffee

How to Make Chocolate Coffee Cupcakes

Preheat the oven to 350˚ F.

Put the cupcake liners in the cupcake pans.

In a medium-sized bowl whisk together the hot brewed coffee and cocoa, until dissolved and set the mixture aside.

Next, In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

In the bowl of a stand mixer add the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Turn the mixer to medium-high speed and let the mixer mix until the butter and sugars combine and they are light and fluffy in texture. Normally takes 3-5 minutes depending on how warm the butter is.

Once the butter and sugar are fluffy add in the vanilla extract and add the eggs one at a time, keep mixing it on low speed.

With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in three additions alternating with the wet ingredients and the dry ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.

Mix each addition just until incorporated, being careful not to over-mix.

Divide the batter between the prepared liners, filling each about two-thirds of the way full.

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let cool in the pans briefly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

While the cupcakes are baking in the oven make the buttercream frosting.

How to Make Mocha Buttercream Frosting

You will want to hand wash the mixer bowl after using it to make the cupcakes so that you can make the mocha buttercream frosting. You can use a hand mixer to make the frosting but I find it much easier to use a stand mixer.

In the bowl of the stand mixer at medium speed beat the butter until smooth and creamy.

Turn the mixer down to the lowest setting and slowly incorporate the powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar) and cocoa powder into the butter.

butter, brown sugar, confectioner's sugar and cocoa powder in the bowl of a stand mixer

Once you have added all the sugar to the mix add the heavy cream, vanilla, salt, and instant coffee powder.

heavy cream, vanilla, salt, and instant coffee powder added to the stand mixer bowl with the fluffy butter mixture.

Turn the mixer up to medium-high speed and continue mixing for 10 minutes until light and fluffy.

How to Assemble Mocha Cupcakes with Mocha Buttercream Frosting

Once the chocolate cupcakes are cooled, add the espresso buttercream to a piping bag.

If you are using a disposable pastry bag start off by cutting the tip off you bag wide enough to fit your piping tip in the hole.

Place your piping tip into your pastry bag.

Fill the pastry bag with your mocha buttercream frosting, making sure you do not overfill the bag.

Swirl the buttercream onto each chocolate cupcake by starting in the middle and then swirling the tip around the whole top cupcake.

Top each cupcake with a chocolate covered coffee bean if desired.

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