Espresso Frosting

This 6-ingredient espresso frosting has a sturdy espresso taste with a wonderfully balanced sweetness (trace: it’s not too candy!). Pair it with chocolate cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, brownies, or banana cake!

Table of Contents

6-Ingredient Espresso Buttercream

Right now’s espresso frosting was extremely requested (word: hold the recipe requests coming, I hold a operating listing and love with the ability to ship one thing that’s been particularly requested for!). With subtly bitter undertones and vibrant espresso taste, it’s the proper combo of candy and bitter and a stunning complement to simply about any baked good. It pairs effectively with so many alternative flavors of cake, cupcakes, and extra (you possibly can even unfold it over cinnamon rolls–yum!).

Why you’ll love this espresso buttercream:

Simple to make with easy substances (solely 6!).
Distinct espresso taste from a fast home made espresso focus.
Not too candy, which is a standard grievance with buttercreams.
Pipes effectively and appears so fairly on cupcakes!
Versatile! I embody directions within the recipe card to rework this recipe right into a mocha frosting (which I actually favor, as a result of espresso and chocolate collectively is one in every of my favourite combos).

I can consider so many makes use of for this espresso frosting, from filling chocolate macarons and whoopie pies to topping donuts and even brownies! I’ve a sense you might be actually going to adore it 💜

What You Want

As I discussed in yesterday’s Oreo frosting, I’m a flag-waving fan of fuss-free buttercreams which are easy when it comes to substances but complicated within the taste division. Right now’s recipe suits the mould properly, with simply 6 primary substances:

Prompt espresso. You might need a few of this mendacity round should you’ve made my satan’s meals cake, double chocolate chip cookies, or cheesecake brownies. We’ll be mixing this with a small quantity of water to create a espresso focus. Be sure you let this combination cool utterly earlier than including it your buttercream (trace: pop it in your fridge to hurry up the method)!
Butter. Seize some unsalted butter and let it sit at room temperature till it’s totally softened (however not melty) earlier than getting began. Should you’d favor to make use of salted butter, you possibly can simply skip the extra salt within the recipe.
Salt. Only a pinch balances the sugar and brings out the flavour of this espresso buttercream.
Vanilla extract. A splash of vanilla extract goes SO effectively with the espresso taste; it smooths every little thing out.
Powdered sugar. I used to be very cautious to verify this espresso buttercream wasn’t too candy! In consequence, it’s a little bit of a softer texture (completely pipeable and steady, although!). You can also make it sturdier by including extra sugar should you’d like, simply word it’ll be a bit sweeter.

SAM’S TIP: Need to make mocha frosting? Add a little bit of cocoa powder! I included notes for making a mocha model of this espresso buttercream within the recipe under. It has a delicate chocolate taste (and is actually my favourite model of this recipe!).

As normal, that is simply an outline of the substances I used and why. For the total recipe please scroll right down to the underside of the put up!

The right way to Make Espresso Frosting

Add the moment espresso to a liquid measuring cup, then pour the new water overtop. Stir effectively till the espresso dissolves, then let cool utterly earlier than continuing. You may place this combination within the fridge to hurry up the chilling course of!
Cream the butter with an electrical mixer till easy.
Progressively add the powdered sugar along with your mixer on low velocity, then stir within the vanilla and salt.
Lastly, drizzle within the espresso whereas stirring. Cease to scrape the bowl to verify every little thing is mixed, then use as desired.

SAM’S TIP: Should you plan to make use of this espresso buttercream for an 8 or 9″ layer cake, chances are you’ll wish to contemplate rising the recipe by 50%, since this recipe will make simply sufficient frosting for that dimension cake. I’d particularly advocate this should you plan to brighten your cake with some additional swirls on high.

Incessantly Requested Questions

Can I make espresso frosting with out on the spot espresso?

Utilizing on the spot espresso actually is greatest right here as a result of it permits us to shortly create a really concentrated espresso taste (virtually like an extract would!). Your common cup o’ Joe isn’t fairly as concentrated, so spooning a few Tablespoons out of that might not give us as intense of a taste as I used to be in search of.

Does espresso buttercream should be refrigerated?

Should you plan to get pleasure from your frosting inside two days of making ready it, you can be high-quality to depart it out of refrigeration. If you need it to last more, hold it within the fridge. Like most buttercreams, this espresso frosting won’t maintain up within the direct summer time warmth.

Simple breezy. I can’t wait to listen to how you want this one, and don’t hesitate to ship extra recipe requests my manner!

Get pleasure from!

Let’s bake collectively! I’ll be strolling you thru all of the steps in my written recipe under! Should you do that recipe, you’ll want to tag me on Instagram, and you can even discover me on YouTube and Facebook

This 6-ingredient espresso frosting has a sturdy, distinctly espresso taste and excellent sweetness. Enhances any cake or cupcake!Recipe makes 2 ½ cups – sufficient to generously ice 12 cupcakes, will even cowl a 13×9 cake or simply sufficient to cowl a 2-layer 8” or 9” cake.