Chocolate Cupcakes with Espresso Cream Cheese Frosting

If you’re a coffee and chocolate lover, these Chocolate Cupcakes with Espresso Cream Cheese Frosting are the perfect indulgence. Rich, moist chocolate cupcakes combined with the bold flavor of espresso create a treat that’s both decadent and satisfying.

Espresso and Coffee in Dessert

Espresso and coffee in desserts add a deep, rich flavor with a hint of bitterness that enhances sweetness and balances creamy or chocolatey elements. They bring warmth and complexity to a variety of treats, from creamy tiramisu to bold mocha brownies.

• Espresso is a concentrated coffee with an intense, robust taste that can elevate desserts with a bold, slightly smoky, and caramelized flavor. It dissolves easily into batters, creams, and sauces, enhancing chocolate and dairy-based sweets.

Both ingredients amplify sweetness while cutting through richness, making them popular in desserts that highlight contrast—like a silky coffee panna cotta, espresso-infused chocolate ganache, or crunchy coffee-dusted meringues. They also add a touch of sophistication, making even simple desserts feel indulgent and refined.

For more coffee and espresso dessert ideas, check this out:

• Browned Butter Espresso Banana Loaf
• Coffee Ice Cream Cake
• Salted Caramel Espresso Brownie Jars
• Banana Coffee Cake with Browned Butter Frosting
• Espresso Pana Cotta

Print Recipe

Chocolate Cupcakes with Espresso Cream Cheese Frosting

These rich and moist chocolate cupcakes are taken to the next level with a smooth and velvety espresso-infused cream cheese frosting. The deep chocolate flavor pairs perfectly with the bold espresso, creating a decadent treat that’s both indulgent and perfectly balanced.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time22 minutes mins

Cooling Time30 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 7 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chocolate cupcakes, Chocolate cupcakes with espresso cream cheese frosting, espresso cream cheese frosting, espresso froting

Servings: 12

Ingredients

Cupcake Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 Tbsp espresso powder
• ¾ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup cold brew coffee
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup buttermilk or ¼ cup 2% milk + 1 tsp lemon juice – let sit for 10 min

Frosting Ingredients:

• 1 8 oz block cream cheese, room temp
• ½ cup unsalted butter room temp
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1.5 tsp espresso powder or more for a stronger flavor
• 1 Tbsp cold brew coffee

Instructions

Cupcake Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners and set aside.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, salt, and espresso powder.
• Melt the butter in the microwave.
• In a large mixing bowl, add melted butter, vegetable oil, cold brew coffee, buttermilk, and egg. Whisk to combine.
• Gradually add half of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and whisk. Then add the remaining dry ingredients and fully combine until smooth and glossy.
• Scoop 3 Tbsp of batter into each cupcake liner. Bake for 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely.

Frosting Directions:

• While cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting by adding cream cheese and butter to a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, cream together on medium speed.
• On low speed, gradually add the powdered sugar until fully combined.
• Pause to scrape the sides of the bowl, then add the cold brew coffee and espresso powder. Mix again just to combine.
• Taste the frosting and, if desired, add more espresso powder for a stronger coffee flavor.
• Transfer frosting to a piping bag and pipe onto cooled cupcakes. Optionally, dust with extra espresso powder for decoration.

Tips for the Best Cupcakes:

• Use High-Quality Cocoa & Coffee: This ensures rich chocolate and bold espresso flavors.
• Measure Ingredients Correctly: Avoid dense cupcakes by properly measuring flour using the spoon-and-level method.
• Cool Completely Before Frosting: Warm cupcakes will melt the frosting.

These Chocolate Cupcakes with Espresso Cream Cheese Frosting are a coffee lover’s dream. The deep, rich flavors of chocolate and espresso make every bite pure perfection. Try them today and impress your family and friends!