Sweet Caramel Macchiato Cupcakes Recipe: Coffee Lover’s Dream

Sweet and indulgent caramel macchiato cupcakes bring coffee shop magic right into your kitchen.

Espresso-infused batter creates a rich, aromatic base that coffee enthusiasts adore.

Delicate layers of flavor combine smooth caramel with robust coffee notes.

Soft, tender crumb melts in your mouth with each delightful bite.

Creamy frosting swirled on top adds a decadent finishing touch.

Stunning presentation makes these cupcakes perfect for weekend baking adventures.

Whip up this delectable treat and watch everyone’s eyes light up with pure dessert excitement.

Why Caramel Macchiato Cupcakes Are a Coffee Lover’s Dream

• Capture Coffee Shop Magic: Transform your kitchen into a cozy café with these indulgent cupcakes that bring the beloved caramel macchiato flavor right to your dessert plate.
• Master Simple Baking Techniques: Perfect for bakers of all skill levels, this recipe requires basic mixing and standard kitchen tools, making it accessible for everyone from beginners to experienced home cooks.
• Customize with Creativity: Personalize your cupcakes by experimenting with different piping techniques, playing with food coloring intensity, or adding extra caramel drizzle to match your unique style and taste preferences.
• Impress Without Stress: Deliver bakery-quality desserts without complicated steps, creating a showstopping treat that looks professional but comes together with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.

Ingredients for Rich, Caffeinated Cupcake Magic

• All-Purpose Flour: A staple ingredient that provides structure for the cupcake's delicate texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb in the cupcakes.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cupcake's rich and moist consistency.
• Butter: Provides richness and enhances the overall flavor of the cupcake.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, aromatic depth to the cupcake's flavor profile.

• Milk, Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Work together to help the cupcakes rise and create a light, fluffy texture.

• Butter: Creates a smooth and creamy base for the buttercream.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve the right consistency for the frosting.
• Coffee Extract: Infuses the buttercream with a rich, coffee-like flavor.
• Milk: Helps adjust the buttercream's texture and smoothness.
• Gel Paste Food Color: Gives the buttercream an espresso-like appearance.
• Caramel Sauce: Adds a sweet and decadent finishing touch to the cupcakes.

Steps to Bake and Frost Barista-Worthy Cupcakes

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Station

Warm up the oven to a cozy 350°F. Grab your muffin tin and line it with adorable cupcake liners.

This sets the stage for your sweet adventure.

Step 2: Mix the Magical Cupcake Batter

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and toss in all your cupcake ingredients.

Whip them together with a hand mixer until everything just comes together. Remember, gentle mixing is key – no need to go overboard!

Step 3: Fill the Cupcake Liners

Scoop that luscious batter into each liner using a cookie scoop. Aim for about 3 tablespoons per cupcake to ensure perfect portioning.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the tin into the oven and bake for 15-17 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick comes out clean.

Once baked, transfer the cupcakes to a cooling rack and let them chill out.

Step 5: Whip Up the Coffee Buttercream

Pull out your stand mixer and start blending softened butter.

Pour in the coffee extract and mix until silky smooth.

Step 6: Create the Creamy Frosting

Gradually introduce powdered sugar in 2-3 batches, mixing thoroughly each time.

Add milk one tablespoon at a time, whipping for 5-6 minutes until the buttercream becomes cloud-like and fluffy.

Step 7: Add Some Coffee Color

Blend in gel paste food colors to achieve that rich espresso look.

Mix until the color is consistent and dreamy.

Step 8: Decorate with Delicious Flair

Once the cupcakes are completely cool, grab a piping bag and your favorite tip.

Frost those beauties with swirls of coffee buttercream. Finish by drizzling caramel sauce on top for that extra touch of indulgence.

Sweet Tips for Balanced Caramel and Espresso Flavor

• Ensure butter is at room temperature for smoother buttercream and easier mixing.
• Use high-quality coffee extract to enhance the caramel macchiato flavor profile.
• Avoid overmixing batter to keep cupcakes light and tender, preventing a dense texture.
• Chill cupcakes briefly before frosting to create cleaner, more defined piped designs.
• Experiment with different caramel sauce drizzle patterns for a personalized decorative touch.

Fun Twists on Caramel Macchiato Flavor Profiles

• Espresso Chocolate Variant: Replace coffee extract with dark chocolate extract and add cocoa powder to the cupcake batter for a rich, mocha-inspired flavor profile.
• Vanilla Latte Spin: Swap coffee extract for vanilla extract and incorporate ground espresso beans directly into the cake mix, creating a subtler coffee essence.
• Salted Caramel Edition: Fold crushed toffee bits into the buttercream and sprinkle sea salt on top of the caramel drizzle for a sophisticated sweet-salty combination.
• Hazelnut Coffee Remix: Mix hazelnut liqueur into the buttercream and garnish with crushed roasted hazelnuts for a nutty, aromatic experience.

What to Pair with These Coffee-Inspired Cupcakes

• Brew-tiful Coffee Companion: Rich, dark Colombian cold brew complements the caramel macchiato cupcakes' intense coffee flavor, creating a harmonious taste experience.
• Sweet Caramel Contrast: Vanilla bean ice cream provides a creamy, cool counterpoint to the warm, spiced cupcake, balancing the dessert's rich undertones.
• Liqueur Luxe Pairing: Baileys Irish Cream or Kahlúa liqueur enhances the cupcake's coffee essence, adding a sophisticated adult twist to the dessert.
• Nutty Textural Accent: Toasted almond slivers sprinkled on top add a delightful crunch and nutty depth, elevating the cupcake's complex flavor profile.

Store These Cupcakes Like a Pro

• Refrigerate: Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent buttercream smudging.
• Freeze: Wrap unfrosted cupcakes individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before frosting.
• Room Temperature: Keep unfrosted cupcakes in a sealed container at room temperature for 1-2 days. Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources to maintain freshness.
• Reheating: Warm refrigerated cupcakes in the microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power. Allow to sit for a minute before serving to prevent buttercream melting.

Your Cupcake Questions, Caffeinated and Clarified

• Can I use instant coffee instead of coffee extract?

Yes, dissolve 1-2 teaspoons of instant coffee in a small amount of hot water and let it cool before adding to the buttercream for similar flavor.

• Is it necessary to use a stand mixer for the buttercream?

No, you can use a hand mixer or even mix by hand, but a stand mixer makes the process easier and helps create a smoother, fluffier texture.

• How do I prevent my cupcakes from becoming dry?

Be careful not to overmix the batter and avoid overbaking. Check the cupcakes a few minutes before the recommended baking time and remove them from the oven as soon as a toothpick comes out clean.

• Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the cupcakes a day in advance.

Caramel Macchiato Cupcakes Recipe

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4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 37 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet caramel macchiato cupcakes blend espresso-infused cake with silky vanilla buttercream and rich caramel drizzle. Smooth coffee notes and creamy textures invite passionate bakers to savor this delightful dessert experience.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 box (15.25 ounces/432 grams) Devil’s Food Cake Mix
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup brewed coffee, cooled

Supplementary Ingredients:

• 1 package (0.75 ounces/21 grams) Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Buttercream and Decoration:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup salted butter, softened
• 2 teaspoons pure coffee extract
• 2 pounds (907 grams) powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2–3 squeezes chocolate brown soft gel paste food color
• 2–3 squeezes warm brown soft gel paste food color
• Caramel sauce for drizzling on top

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F and prepare a muffin tin with paper liners, ensuring even spacing.
2. Merge dry and wet cupcake ingredients in a large bowl, using an electric mixer to create a smooth, cohesive batter without overmixing.
3. Distribute the batter evenly into each liner, filling approximately three-quarters full using a consistent scooping method.
4. Bake for 15-17 minutes until a test skewer emerges clean, indicating perfect doneness. Immediately transfer cupcakes to a wire cooling rack.
5. Prepare the buttercream by whipping softened butter in a stand mixer until creamy and light.
6. Incorporate coffee extract into the butter, creating a rich, aromatic base for the frosting.
7. Gradually introduce powdered sugar in multiple stages, blending thoroughly after each addition to prevent lumps.
8. Adjust buttercream consistency by adding milk incrementally, mixing for 5-6 minutes until achieving a silky, spreadable texture.
9. Enhance the frosting’s color with gel paste food coloring, aiming for a deep espresso-like hue.
10. Once cupcakes are completely cooled, pipe the buttercream using a decorative tip for an elegant finish.
11. Embellish with a delicate caramel sauce drizzle, creating a luxurious and enticing presentation.

Notes

• Swap coffee extract with strong brewed espresso for a more authentic caramel macchiato flavor profile.
• Achieve lighter texture by sifting dry ingredients before mixing to eliminate potential flour clumps.
• Prevent buttercream from becoming too runny by chilling butter slightly before whipping and adding powdered sugar gradually.
• Create gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free blend, ensuring equal measurement ratios.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 17 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 45 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg