Espresso Chocolate Cupcakes: Cafe-inspired series #2

Another addition to Queen Professional’s café-inspired cupcake recipe series, this Espresso Chocolate Cupcake highlights the bittersweet flavours of a classic mocha.

Using our Vanilla Buttercream Style Icing delivers consistency while reducing prep and labour, helping foodservice operators bring trend-led desserts to their menu more efficiently and keep pace with customer demand without compromising quality.

Prep

35 minutes

Cook

18-22 minutes

Portions

48 cupcakes

Vanilla cupcakes

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 18-22 minutes

500g Unsalted Butter, softened

600g Caster Sugar

8 eggs, room temperature

480ml milk

4tbsp Queen Professional Organic Vanilla Bean Paste

760g Plain flour

6tsp baking powder

1tsp fine salt

Espresso Chocolate Buttercream

Prep Time: 10 minutes

1kg Queen Professional Vanilla Buttercream Style Icing (White)

60g cocoa powder, sifted

2tsp Instant espresso powder (dissolved in 2tsp hot water) OR 2 shots of espresso

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Using a planetary mixer fitted with a paddle, cream butter and sugar until light, then add eggs gradually followed by Queen Professional Vanilla Bean Paste. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt, then add alternately with milk on low speed until just combined. Deposit into lined muffin trays at approximately two-thirds full and bake at 170°C for 18–22 minutes, rotating trays if required, then cool completely before decorating.
  2. Place the Buttercream into the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat until smooth, light and workable. With the mixer running on low speed, gradually add the sifted cocoa powder. After, add dissolved espresso and continue to mix until fully combined. Scrape down the bowl, then mix briefly until the buttercream is smooth, aerated and ready for consistent piping across the full batch.
  3. Transfer the buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle and pipe onto the cooled cupcakes. Finish with a light dust of cocoa powder or coffee beans (optional)