Coffee Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe for Rich, Decadent Treats

Updated On: October 13, 2025

If you’re a fan of rich, indulgent desserts with a delightful twist, coffee chocolate cupcakes are sure to become your new favorite treat. These cupcakes combine the deep, bold flavors of coffee with the luscious, velvety texture of chocolate, creating a perfect harmony that will tantalize your taste buds.

Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just craving a decadent snack, this recipe is simple, quick, and incredibly satisfying.

What makes these cupcakes truly irresistible is the subtle coffee infusion that enhances the chocolate’s natural richness without overpowering it. The result is a moist, fluffy cupcake with a slightly bittersweet edge that pairs wonderfully with creamy frosting or a dusting of cocoa powder.

Plus, these cupcakes are versatile enough to customize with your favorite toppings or mix-ins.

Ready to impress your friends or family with a coffee-chocolate masterpiece? Let’s dive into the details of this delicious recipe and get baking!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This coffee chocolate cupcakes recipe is a delightful fusion of two beloved flavors, offering a gourmet experience in every bite. Here’s why you’ll adore making and eating these cupcakes:

  • Perfect balance of flavors: The coffee intensifies the chocolate taste, making each bite richer and more complex.
  • Moist and tender crumb: Thanks to the coffee and oil, these cupcakes stay moist for days.
  • Easy to make: Using common pantry ingredients and straightforward steps, even beginner bakers can nail this recipe.
  • Customizable: Choose your favorite frosting, add chocolate chips, or even a sprinkle of espresso powder to enhance the flavor.
  • Great for any occasion: Whether it’s a birthday, coffee morning, or just because, these cupcakes make a charming dessert.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-processed)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • ½ cup brewed strong coffee (freshly brewed and cooled)
  • ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup buttermilk (or plain yogurt as substitute)
  • ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls (large and medium-sized)
  • Electric mixer or whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Muffin tin (12-cup size)
  • Cupcake liners
  • Cooling rack
  • Spatula

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners and set aside.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk until evenly combined.
  3. Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the sugar and eggs together using an electric mixer or whisk until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Add coffee, oil, and vanilla: Slowly mix in the brewed coffee, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the egg mixture until fully incorporated.
  5. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk. Start and end with the dry ingredients, mixing gently after each addition until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
  6. Fold in chocolate chips: If using, gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips for an extra burst of chocolate in every bite.
  7. Fill cupcake liners: Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared muffin tin, filling each liner about ⅔ full.
  8. Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with few crumbs.
  9. Cool: Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  10. Frost and decorate: Once cooled, frost with your favorite frosting. A coffee buttercream or cream cheese frosting pairs beautifully with these cupcakes.

Tips & Variations

For an intensified coffee flavor, add 1 teaspoon of espresso powder to the dry ingredients.

Use freshly brewed coffee: The quality of coffee matters; freshly brewed, strong coffee will elevate the chocolate flavor without making the cupcakes bitter.

Substitute dairy: If you prefer a dairy-free option, swap the buttermilk with almond or soy milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of vinegar.

Frosting ideas: Try mocha frosting by adding a teaspoon of coffee to your buttercream, or top with a rich ganache for an elegant finish.

Add mix-ins: Consider adding chopped nuts, dried cherries, or even a swirl of caramel for added texture and flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient Amount per cupcake
Calories 220 kcal
Fat 11 g
Saturated Fat 2 g
Carbohydrates 29 g
Sugar 20 g
Protein 3 g
Fiber 2 g
Caffeine 15 mg

Serving Suggestions

These coffee chocolate cupcakes are perfect on their own or paired with a hot beverage. Consider serving them alongside a freshly brewed cup of coffee or espresso for a delightful afternoon pick-me-up.

For a festive twist, sprinkle the frosted cupcakes with chocolate shavings, crushed espresso beans, or a dusting of cinnamon. They also make an excellent dessert option for dinner parties or brunch gatherings.

If you want to keep things light, enjoy a cupcake with a dollop of whipped cream and fresh berries on the side.

Conclusion

Crafting these coffee chocolate cupcakes is a rewarding experience that results in a deliciously moist and flavorful treat. The subtle coffee undertones beautifully complement the rich chocolate, making every bite a gourmet delight.

This recipe is approachable enough for bakers of all skill levels and versatile enough to customize according to your preferences.

Whether you’re baking for a special occasion, a casual get-together, or simply to satisfy your sweet tooth, these cupcakes are guaranteed to impress. Don’t forget to experiment with different frostings or add-ins to make the recipe your own.

For more delicious and easy-to-make recipes, check out our Backpacking Dehydrated Vegan Meal Recipes for Easy Camping, Chinese Vegetarian Nasi Lemak Recipe Made Easy and Delicious, and Veg Grilled Sandwich Recipes That Are Quick and Delicious.

Happy baking!

📖 Recipe Card: Coffee Chocolate Cupcakes

Description: Rich chocolate cupcakes infused with bold coffee flavor. Perfectly moist and topped with a creamy coffee frosting.

Prep Time: PT20M
Cook Time: PT18M
Total Time: PT38M

Servings: 12 cupcakes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup brewed strong coffee, cooled
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
  5. Alternately add dry ingredients and coffee with buttermilk, starting and ending with dry ingredients.
  6. Divide batter evenly into cupcake liners.
  7. Bake for 16-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  8. Cool completely before frosting.

Nutrition: Calories: 220 kcal | Protein: 3 g | Fat: 10 g | Carbs: 30 g

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Coffee Chocolate Cupcakes”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “Rich chocolate cupcakes infused with bold coffee flavor. Perfectly moist and topped with a creamy coffee frosting.”, “prepTime”: “PT20M”, “cookTime”: “PT18M”, “totalTime”: “PT38M”, “recipeYield”: “12 cupcakes”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1 cup all-purpose flour”, “1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder”, “1 tsp baking powder”, “1/4 tsp baking soda”, “1/4 tsp salt”, “1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened”, “3/4 cup granulated sugar”, “2 large eggs”, “1 tsp vanilla extract”, “1/2 cup brewed strong coffee, cooled”, “1/2 cup buttermilk”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F (175\u00b0C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Alternately add dry ingredients and coffee with buttermilk, starting and ending with dry ingredients.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Divide batter evenly into cupcake liners.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Bake for 16-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cool completely before frosting.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “220 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “3 g”, “fatContent”: “10 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “30 g”}}

Photo of author

Marta K

Leave a Comment

X