“I HAVE MEASURED OUT MY LIFE WITH COFFEE SPOONS.” T. S. Eliot
There was a time when I believed that I enjoyed the aroma of coffee more than the taste. But over time, I have really come to enjoy the flavor. I don’t drink it daily, but I love coffee, both hot and cold. And I love how coffee brings a savoriness to sweets like ice cream and cupcakes! When I first came upon the recipe for these cupcakes, I was really intrigued by the combination of ingredients. I would never have thought to put lemon zest and marsala wine in coffee cupcakes! But I thought about running a wedge of lemon along the rim of my espresso cup and it made sense! There was something else that I really enjoyed about these cupcakes . . . . .
. . . . . the texture is really a cross between a muffin and a cupcake! These were a little lighter than a muffin, but a little more porous than a cupcake. As a matter of fact, I wasn’t sure what I would call these. But the sweet, coffee mascarpone frosting made it clear. I would most definitely eat these with my coffee in the morning, as a pick me up in the afternoon or for dessert after dinner!
Yields: 1 dozen cupcakes
Level of Difficulty: easy
ESPRESSO CUPCAKES:
- 10 Tablespoons of butter, softened
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 3 eggs
- 3/4 cup of mascarpone
- 1 teaspoon of lemon zest
- 2 Tablespoons of buttermilk
- 1 Tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 Tablespoons of brewed espresso coffee
- 1 Tablespoon of Marsala
- 2 1/4 cups of self rising flour
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 12 tin muffin pan with cupcake papers.
Beat the butter and sugar together until it is light and creamy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, making sure each is well incorporated before adding another. Add the mascarpone, lemon zest, buttermilk, cocoa powder, coffee and Marsala. Then fold in the flour. Fill the muffin cups 3/4 of the way. Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let them cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
SWEET MASCARPONE FROSTING:
- 16 Tablespoons ( a stick and a half) of unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest
- 3 cups of confectioners sugar
- 1 cup of mascarpone
- 2 teaspoons of brewed espresso coffee
Beat the butter until light and fluffy. Add the lemon zest. In small amounts, alternately mix in the sugar and the mascarpone. Add the coffee. Mix until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate until you are ready to frost the cupcakes. Then spoon some frosting onto each cupcake and dust with a little cocoa powder.
Enjoy!
Adapted from The Best Ever Book of Cupcakes and Muffins
While I’m still in the ‘love coffee smell’ stage, I do love the way it enhances the other flavours in dessert and adore its ice cream
I think I can add your gorgeous cupcakes to the list!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thanks Uru….and I hope you enjoyed your birthday….looks like you had lots of good treats and I love that apple strudel you made! I hope you have a great year! : )
How scrumptious! The sweet mascarpone frosting would be my undoing, I’m sure!
Thanks Laura….and I know how we both love our mascarpone! Your Irish cream and mascarpone gelato looks so refreshing! : )
the sweet mascarpone frosting is just fabulously paired with these divine cupcakes! I’ve had a horrible morning so these would really the best treat right now!
Thanks Anuradha! And I’m sorry for your horrible morning. If I had a horrible morning, I’d make it go away be eating one of your fabulous coconut cream cheese brownies. As a matter of fact….I think that would be my cure for just about anything! : )
Wow. These sound amazing. Bookmarked!
Thanks and likewise I’m bookmarking your fabulous grilled peach and scallop salad! : )
Sweet Anne, these look absolutely gorgeous! What a fancy way to enjoy the weekend! Love the cupcake wrappers too
xoxo
Thanks Anna! And I absolutely loved the rice krispie throwdown you had going on in your house! I declare them both winners! : )
I love the smell of coffee too. I don’t drink it everyday either… my husband does. He cannot start the day without a huge mug of it. Either way… both of us would love this cupcake.
Have a great weekend. 
Thanks Ramona….and talk about loving cupcakes….you outdid me with those Grasshopper Cupcakes with those little bars of chocolate mint sticking out everywhere! They were just awesome! : )
Oh goodness, Anne, these are incredible. Coffee is one of my favorite smells and tastes, I am positive that I would adore these. I love the frosting too!
Thanks Cassie! And I am really intrigued by your yummy oatmeal cookies. I’ve always wanted to try olive oil in my sweet baking. And your cookies looked just awesome! : )
A muffcake! I’m totally down
I cannot function without coffee in the mornings so I know I’ll be a fan of these beauties. And yea, I’d never think that lemon would be a good flavor combo but I totally trust your palette so bring it on!
LOL and thanks for the new baking category! I’m sorry you had to de-coconut your coconut trees for the storm. Gosh how I wish I could have a coconut tree in my yard! But your pineapple mini pies would make me forget those coconuts in a heartbeat! : )
Oh dear these are calling me! Too yummy looking for words, even the cupcake liners you used are perfect. I would love to bite into one of these right now.
Thanks Sandra! And I really enjoyed reading your Lemons and Shades of Grey post. Such a beautiful tablescape and some really creative ideas….as always!
: )
These do look delicious!!! I had to laugh when you said that they were a cross between a muffin and a cupcake. Since I’ve never made either one and I really don’t eat them either, I have no idea about the textures. Can I assume that a muffin is denser than a cupcake? I do love the flavor and could enjoy the flavor of coffee in these. Five years ago I switched from loving to drink coffee to only loving the smell, unless it had lots of sugar and cream. Therefore, I’d LOVE these!
Thanks MJ! And yes, to me, a muffin is more dense. Especially MY muffins! Yikes! And I like my coffee about half coffee and half cream too! I have to say….I really love your canteloupe, feta and walnut salad. Not only beautiful, but pleasing to all of my taste buds as well! : )
Hi Anne,
I love the smell and taste of coffee. I love to add coffee in desserts especially chocolate. Really brings out the flavor.
Absolutely love your cupcakes . The frosting looks and sounds yummylicious!
Thanks Asmita! And congrats on your first and really successful video tutorial! You are a culinary rockstar! : )
These cupcakes seems very heavenly to me! The espresso and mascarpone combination seems to be a perfect match!
Thanks Zoe and your raisin bread was just perfect, soft and tender! : )
This mascarpone icing is perfect for these beautiful coffee gems. I would love one for afternoon tea right now.
Thanks Maureen and I would love to be sharing these with you over a cup of tea right now! LOVED your guest post collaboration with Chris of The Cafe Sucre Farine! : )
These cupcakes are gorgeous! I would love one with my morning coffee, too!
Thanks Jessica. And I am loving your oatmeal raisin cookies! Sweet and chewy and my favorite cookie! : )
Anne, these look delicious….perfect treat with morning coffee:)
Thanks Bibi….and I am still drooling over your cappucino ice cream sandwiches! :- O
Hi Anne! I actually enjoy both drinking coffee and coffee flavor in sweets! I love it in baked goods, ice cream, any sort of drinks… oh the smell and flavor is irresistible! I alternate tea and coffee throughout a week.
These cupcakes look so good! I’d eat this WITH coffee or espresso! YUM!
Wow, that is an interesting combo of flavors, but I bet it was delicious. These cupcakes are stunning. I love the mascarpone frosting.
Did you say marscapone? I’m all over that! These cupcakes look just lovely. I’m not a huge coffee consumer, but I sure do love the flavor of it in baked goods.
Everything looks amazing!
I’m not a coffee drinker, but these cupcakes have me sold!!
I´ve always thought the same about coffee´s aroma vs flavor. But baking with coffee is just a fantastic flavor and it pairs with so many others! The lemon and marsala together are intriguing, definitely. I will try these!