Caramel Creme Latte Cupcake

By Texaschef11

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp espresso powder
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup strongly brewed coffee, cooled to warm
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup Irish crème liquor (I used Bailey’s)
• 12 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 6 large egg yolks

Preparation

Step 1

Brew the coffee and set aside to cool.
Preheat oven to 350 F degrees and line cupcake pans with liners.
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, espresso powder and cinnamon. Set aside.
In a measuring cup that pours, mix together the coffee, milk and Irish crème.
With an electric mixer or hand mixer, cream the butter and sugars together. One at a time, add the eggs and mix after each.
Add a third of the flour mixture and beat on slow just until incorporated.
Add half the coffee/milk and mix until combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl. Repeat with remaining flour and coffee/milk. NOTE: Make sure to only mix until the flour and liquid are combined, do not over mix!
Fill cupcake liners ¾ full.
Bake for 18 minutes. Rotate pan after 12 minutes.
Let cool for at least 10 minutes in the pan before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Espresso Buttercream

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 lbs powdered sugar, sifted
2 tbsp espresso powder, divided
2 tbsp hot water
¼- ½ cup milk or cream

Gently heat ½ cup of milk in a small pan. Dissolve 1 tbsp espresso powder in milk. Set aside to cool.
Dissolve 1 tbsp espresso powder in 2 tbsp hot water. Set aside to cool.
With an electric or hand mixer, cream the butter.
One cup at a time, add the sugar. Mix until smooth, scraping the sides after each addition.
Add the water/espresso powder, mix.
Continue adding the powdered sugar, alternate with a tablespoon of the milk. Only add enough milk until you get yours desired consistency. You may not need all of the milk.
Beat on high for 3-4 minutes.

To Assemble:

Pipe frosting on each cupcake.
Prepare your favorite caramel sauce and drizzle on top of each cupcake.
Top with a espresso bean of your choice!