• Cake
  • Frosting
  • YouTube
  • My Favorite Tools
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Recipes
    • Cake
    • Cupcakes
    • Frosting
    • Ice Cream
    • Vegan
  • Cake Basics
  • Tutorials
  • Blog
  • About
  • Mobile Menu Widgets

    Connect

    Search

Sugar & Sparrow logo in script font

Sugar & Sparrow

Lifestyle and Cake from Portland Oregon

  • Cake Basics
  • Recipes
    • Cake
    • Frosting
    • Cupcakes
    • Ice Cream
    • Vegan
  • Tutorials
  • Book
  • Blog
  • About

Coffee Buttercream Frosting Recipe

January 3, 2022 · In: Featured, Frosting, Recipes

Jump to Recipe

It’s my first blog post of the new year (Happy 2022!) and I don’t think there’s a better way to kick it off than with this delicious Coffee Buttercream recipe. After frosting my Peppermint Mocha Cake and Gingerbread Latte Cake with this glorious buttercream I decided it needed its very own recipe post. Chances are that if you’re reading this you’re already a big fan of coffee. If that’s the case, get ready to crave this frosting. It’ll blow your mind! 

coffee buttercream recipe for cakes

This Coffee Buttercream is so silky smooth, bursting with coffee flavor, and pairs well with almost any kind of cake. You could use it to transform your favorite coffee drink into cake form (for example: chocolate cake + this coffee buttercream = chocolate mocha cake. Boom!). Just imagine the possibilities. You could also do what I did and spread some on a leftover graham cracker from your toddler’s snack (you won’t regret it!). 

coffee frosting recipe
coffee buttercream recipe for cupcakes

To add the perfect coffee flavor, I dissolved a few teaspoons of instant coffee into the whole milk in this recipe before pouring it in. I used these Starbucks packets, but any instant coffee will do. You could use espresso powder as an alternative as well. Just be sure to use an instant coffee or espresso powder that you like the taste of in cup-of-coffee form since it plays such a huge role in the overall flavor. 

coffee buttercream frosting recipe
holiday cake recipes: gingerbread latte cake

This Coffee Buttercream ends up being the perfect consistency for filling and frosting cakes or piping onto cupcakes (shown above on my Gingerbread Latte Cake). It yields about 3 Cups of frosting, which is enough to frost 12-16 cupcakes or fill and frost a two layer cake. I always like to make triple layer cakes, and if you’re wanting to use this buttercream on a cake of that size I recommend making 1.5x the recipe to ensure you’ll have enough. 

coffee buttercream frosting recipe by sugar and sparrow

One of my goals this year is to make more videos, so I filmed the process for whipping up this Coffee Buttercream to show you every step:

If you’re into recipe videos like this, head over to my YouTube page. There, you’ll find a collection of recipe videos, cake decorating tutorials, my Cake Basics series, and more! Be sure to hit the subscribe button so you never miss a new one!

coffee buttercream recipe by sugar and sparrow

Coffee Buttercream

5 from 1 vote
Silky smooth and bursting with rich coffee flavor, this coffee buttercream is perfect for frosting cakes, cupcakes, and any dessert you want to take to the next level.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time:10 mins
Servings: 3 Cups

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 tsp instant coffee or espresso powder
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp whole milk, room temperature
  • 1 Cup (227g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 3 1/2 Cups (420g) powdered sugar
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp salt, or to taste

Instructions

  • Combine the instant espresso/coffee with the whole milk and set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter on med-high until light and fluffy (about 5 minutes), scraping down the bowl and paddle a few times in between.
  • Add the powdered sugar a few cups at a time, scraping down the bowl and paddle between intervals. Then add the vanilla, the coffee/espresso milk mixture, and salt. Mix on low until fully incorporated, about one minute.

Notes

To Make Ahead: store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. When you’re ready to use it, bring it back to room temperature and re-whip in your stand mixer to bring back to smooth buttercream consistency.Ā 
Quantity: this recipe makes enough to frost 12-16 cupcakes, or fill and frost one 2-layer cake. If using for filling and frosting a 3-layer cake, I recommend making 1.5x the recipe (multiply each ingredient by 1.5).

Did you make this recipe? I want to know what you think! Let me know in the comments below or tag me on Instagram. I love to see what you’re caking!

By: Whitney Ā· In: Featured, Frosting, Recipes Ā· Tagged: coffee buttercream, coffee buttercream recipe, coffee frosting, frosting recipes, instant coffee, starbucks

you’ll also love

gingerbread latte cake recipeGingerbread Latte Cake Recipe
marshmallow meringue recipe for cakesHomemade Marshmallow Meringue Frosting Recipe
vegan chocolate buttercream recipeVegan Chocolate Buttercream Recipe

Join the List

Stay up to date & receive the latest posts in your inbox.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Paula says

    January 14, 2022 at 2:26 pm

    5 stars
    Just made this beautiful buttercream today. Getting ready to pair it with chocolate and vanilla cake layers, and homemade caramel!! Thank you Whitney! So pretty and tasty!

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      January 14, 2022 at 10:01 pm

      That sounds amazing, Paula!!

      Reply
  2. kathy says

    February 27, 2022 at 2:09 pm

    I want to make this to go with a 3 layer 6ā€ cake… crumb coat, filling and frosting and rosettes… should I double the recipe? I’m pairing it with your chocolate cake.

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      February 28, 2022 at 1:30 pm

      Hi Kathy! Yes, I would double this recipe to fill, crumb coat, frost, and pipe a three layer 6-inch cake. Enjoy!

      Reply
  3. Catherine Scahill says

    July 9, 2022 at 8:14 am

    Going to make a coffee and walnut cake and grist with this, can’t wait

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      July 11, 2022 at 10:37 am

      Yum, Catherine! That sounds amazing!

      Reply
  4. Sravanthy says

    July 20, 2022 at 8:43 am

    Hi Whitney,
    Wonderful recipe and you are my go to for all the recipes. Quick question, can I pair this recipe with vanilla cake and butterscotch sauce?

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      July 21, 2022 at 6:31 am

      Yay, Sravanthy! I’m so happy you love this recipe šŸ™‚ and you can absolutely pair this buttercream with those elements – that sounds delicious!!

      Reply
  5. Christine Dryden says

    September 24, 2022 at 3:16 pm

    So happy to find your recipe for Coffee Frosting. My Mom used to frost her Banana Cake with it. Recently it popped into my head and I just had to make one. Used your recipe, it was heavenly.
    I just wanted to sit down with the bowl and eat it with a spoon!! Looks like I will be making Banana Cake more often. THANKS.

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      September 27, 2022 at 11:04 am

      Yay, Christine! And oh my gosh that flavor combo sounds DELICIOUS! I need to make that asap

      Reply
  6. Lori Stone says

    October 4, 2022 at 10:43 pm

    Oh me oh my……
    I made this buttercream to add to a 3 layer chocolate cake using your one bowl choc cake recipe and it was divine. I don’t even drink coffee however, I continued to dip the cake off cuts into this buttercream it was so irresistible.
    Thankyou for the recipe, perfection again

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      October 6, 2022 at 9:09 pm

      Oh my goodness! I’m so happy to hear that, Lori!

      Reply
  7. Kelsey says

    December 21, 2022 at 6:29 am

    This recipe is perfect! I wasn’t sure if it would have a light coffee taste or be more bold like I was wanting. So I started with the recipe as written and didn’t need to tweak a thing. I paired this with a simple chocolate cake for a mocha vibe. The birthday recipient and all guests truly enjoyed it. Thanks for a great recipe!

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      December 23, 2022 at 9:38 am

      Yay, Kelsey! I’m so happy this buttercream was a hit! It’s one of my faves šŸ™‚

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Next Post >

Sugar & Sparrow’s Best of 2021

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to Sugar & Sparrow

Welcome to Sugar & Sparrow

Helping you whip up pretty desserts with confidence and creativity. And hopefully sharing a few laughs with you along the way!

Learn More

Connect

let’s bake!

Get my very best recipes, baking tips, and decorating tutorials sent to your inbox

Featured Posts

striped buttercream cake

Piped Stripe Buttercream Cake Tutorial

salted caramel buttercream

Salted Caramel Buttercream Recipe

shag cake by sugar and sparrow

Autumn-Inspired Shag Cake

Search

Archives

Follow Along

@sugarandsparrowco

BANANA BISCOFF CARAMEL CAKE šŸŒšŸŽ‚ these flavors BANANA BISCOFF CARAMEL CAKE šŸŒšŸŽ‚ these flavors are so warm and cozy together: layers of my favorite extra-moist banana cake, Biscoff cookie butter frosting, gooey salted caramel, and crushed Biscoff crumbs. Top it with a salted caramel drip + a Biscoff sprinkled buttercream rope border to go the extra mile. It’ll be worth it imo! ✨ ⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣
This is one of four EXTRA EXCLUSIVE bonus recipes you’ll get when you preorder my book, Anyone Can Cake! Click the ā€œAnyone Can Cake: Bonus Recipesā€ link in my bio for all the info ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
#biscoffcakeĀ #lotusbiscoff #bananacake Ā #saltedcaramelĀ #caramelcakeĀ #buttercreamĀ #bakedfromscratchĀ #frostingĀ #bananacaramelĀ #bakeĀ #anyonecancakeĀ #cakesofinstagramĀ #cakeĀ #layercakeĀ #cakedecorating
4-INGREDIENT OREO TRUFFLES ✨These bite-sized no- 4-INGREDIENT OREO TRUFFLES ✨These bite-sized no-bake desserts are completely irresistible, super easy to make, and perfect for Valentine’s Day (or any day!)⁣
⁣
OREO TRUFFLES⁣
Yield: 30⁣
⁣⁣
INGREDIENTS⁣⁣
36 Oreo cookies⁣⁣
8 Oz cream cheese, brick-style not the spread⁣⁣
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract⁣⁣
10 Oz (284g) Ghirardelli melting wafers (dark, milk, or white chocolate)⁣⁣
⁣⁣
INSTRUCTIONS⁣⁣
1. Place the Oreo cookies into a food processor and pulse into fine crumbs.⁣⁣
2. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (a hand mixer works fine too!), beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Set aside 2 Tablespoons of the Oreo cookie crumbs, then add the rest to the cream cheese. Add the vanilla and mix on low speed until well combined.⁣⁣
3. Roll the Oreo mixture into 1 inch balls and place on a lined baking sheet. Freeze for at least 15 minutes.⁣⁣
4. Coat the Oreo balls with @ghirardelli melting wafers or tempered chocolate. Garnish with cookie crumbs immediately after coating, while the chocolate is still wet.⁣⁣
5. Serve after the chocolate coating has set or store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Full recipe is linked in my bio! ✨⁣⁣
⁣⁣
#oreos #truffles #chocolate #chocolatelover #nobake #oreo #baking #dessert #bakersofinstagram #easydessert #bakinglove #bakedfromscratch
TODAY! Watch me make this pretty pink ombrĆ© funfe TODAY! Watch me make this pretty pink ombrĆ© funfetti cake from the cover of my book LIVE on @talkshoplive at 12PM PT/3PM ET 🄳 I’ll be chatting all about Anyone Can Cake and answering all your questions while I decorate, so don’t miss it! You can even grab a SIGNED COPY of the book while you’re there ā™„ļø livestream link is in my bio + Story and I can’t wait to connect with you all šŸ«¶šŸ½ ⁣
⁣
#funfetti #funfetticake #ombrecake #pinkcake #cakedecorating #anyonecancake #cakeideas #cakeart #sprinkles #bakingfun #bake #cakesofinstagram #cake #ombre #buttercreamcake #frosting
We have another little chef joining us early this We have another little chef joining us early this summer! Theo keeps calling it ā€œbaby sisā€ and we are so excited to see if he’s right in just a couple weeks 🄳⁣
⁣
PS I had to bribe Theo with an Oreo to take a photo with the ultrasound pics + then he just stuffed them into his dinosaur’s mouth so I think he’s off to a good start as big bro šŸ˜†ā£
⁣
#pregnancyannouncement #motherhood #bakersofinstagram #pregnant #19weekspregnant #toddlermom #blogger #bloggersofinstagram #mama #littlechef #bakinglove #baking
This Raspberry Buttercream (recipe below!) šŸ˜ā™„ This Raspberry Buttercream (recipe below!) šŸ˜ā™„ļø I LOVE using freeze dried raspberries for the most authentic flavor + just look at that natural color! It’s silky smooth, ideal for decorating cakes and cupcakes, and perfect for your Valentine’s Day bakes.⁣
⁣
RASPBERRY BUTTERCREAM⁣
Yield: 3 Cups⁣
⁣
INGREDIENTS⁣
1 Cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature⁣
3/4 Cup (18g) freeze-dried raspberries⁣
3 Tbsp (45ml) whole milk, room temperature⁣
1 tsp pure vanilla extract⁣
3 Cups (360g) powdered sugar⁣
pinch of salt⁣
⁣
INSTRUCTIONS⁣
1. With a food processor, grind the raspberries into a fine powder. Sift out the seeds (if a few seeds end up in the powder that is totally ok) and set the powder aside.⁣
2. Whip the butter using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment on medium-high speed until it’s creamy and light in color, about 5 minutes. Add the vanilla, milk, and raspberry powder and continue to mix on medium until fully combined.⁣
3. Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time and mix on low speed, scraping down the bowl and paddle after each addition. Add a pinch of salt and mix on low speed until fully combined and smooth, 1-2 minutes.⁣
⁣
Click the ā€œRaspberry Buttercreamā€ link in my bio for the full recipe + flavor pairing ideas ✨⁣
⁣
#raspberry #raspberrybuttercream #raspberrycake #buttercream #frosting #cakedecorating #cakeideas #bakinglove #bake #valentinesdayideas #freezedried

Footer

On the Blog

  • Cake Basics
  • Recipes
  • Tutorials

Info

  • About
  • Privacy Policy & Disclosure

stay in the know

Copyright © 2023 Ā· Theme by Sugar & Sparrow