If you’re a coffee lover like me, you’re not going to want to miss this 5-Minute Coffee Buttercream Frosting recipe! It’s everything you want in a coffee-flavored frosting: silky-smooth, sweet but not too sweet, with just the right amount of rich coffee flavor.
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As a busy mom of four kids under seven, coffee is practically my lifeline. Whether it’s the crack of dawn or a late-night work session, a cup of joe is always by my side (OK, sometimes it’s a Diet Coke, too!). Recently, I shared my all-time favorite chocolate cake recipe, inspired by my podcast episode with Drew Brees. One of the star ingredients in that recipe is a splash of coffee (or coffee liqueur), which enhances the chocolate flavor and gives it a rich, deep taste. And because I love all things coffee, I decided to take it one step further and create a coffee buttercream frosting to go with it.
To make this creamy frosting, you’ll need four simple ingredients: powdered sugar, butter, vanilla extract, salt and instant coffee. A generous dose of instant coffee is the secret to this frosting’s bold coffee flavor. Simply dissolve the coffee in hot water and mix it in with the rest of the ingredients. Then, beat everything together until it’s light and fluffy. That’s it! You now have a delicious coffee buttercream frosting that’s perfect for any occasion.
So, what are you waiting for? Give this 5-minute coffee buttercream frosting recipe a try and take your baking game to the next level. Trust me, your taste buds (and your friends and family) will thank you!
This Coffee Buttercream Frosting Is:
- Creamy, smooth, decadent and delicious.
- Perfectly sweet with a rich coffee flavor.
- Takes only 5 minutes to make!
- Made with 4 ingredients.
- Incredibly versatile and can be used to decorate all kinds of baked goods.
- Perfect for classic chocolate layer cake, vanilla cupcakes or sugar cookies.
- Easy to make, even beginner bakers can whip it up with confidence.
Creating that perfect buttercream frosting, the kind that’s velvety smooth, holds its shape and pipes like a dream, is all about nailing the ingredient balance. That’s why for this coffee-infused version, I’ve stuck with a tried-and-true ingredient ratio, much like my classic buttercream recipe.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter provides the base for a creamy and smooth frosting. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the saltiness of the frosting. If you only have salted butter on hand, you can still use it, but omit the additional kosher salt called for in the recipe.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting and gives it its classic fluffy texture.
- Kosher salt: Just a pinch enhances the flavor of the buttercream and balances out the sweetness. If you’re using table salt, use even less because table salt is finer and more concentrated than kosher salt.
- Instant coffee + 3 Tablespoons hot water: Be sure to dissolve the instant coffee completely to avoid any graininess in the frosting. For added coffee flavor, substitute 2 to 3 tablespoons of coffee liqueur for the instant coffee mix.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Making American buttercream is incredibly easy and takes just 5 minutes. I usually use my trusty ol’ stand mixer, but don’t worry if you don’t have one! A large mixing bowl and a hand mixer will work just fine for this recipe, too, but note that your buttercream might not turn out quite as silky smooth. Follow these simple steps for frosting success:
- Beat the butter until smooth. I use the paddle attachment of my stand mixer and beat on medium speed for about 1 minute. Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature before starting to create a creamy base.
- Add the powdered sugar and salt. Beat on medium speed until combined. Sift your powdered sugar before adding it to the butter. This helps prevent lumps and ensures a silky-smooth texture.
- Stream in the coffee and continue mixing until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Increase the speed to high and beat the frosting for about 2 minutes until fluffy. This incorporates air into the frosting, making it light and airy. At this point, the frosting should have a smooth, spreadable consistency and is ready for frosting your favorite baked goods or or just eating with a spoon!
Adjust the Consistency: If the frosting is too thick, add a splash of coffee or milk to thin it out. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency.
To take your frosting decorating game to the next level, try using the back of a small spoon to make deep, luscious swirls. You can also add a sprinkle of cocoa powder or chocolate shavings on top of the frosting for an extra special garnish. Another great idea is to use a piping bag with a piping tip to create bakery-worthy designs. These are my go-to piping tips:
- Wilton Tip #1M – I probably use this piping tip the most. It creates a classic swirl atop cupcakes, cakes and other treats.
- Wilton Tip #2D – Most commonly used to create rosettes. It’s similar to the #1M but produces larger, more pronounced designs.
- Wilton Tip #2A – With its large, round opening, this tip is fantastic for creating smooth swirls, dots and even writing.
- Wilton Tip #4B – This tip’s large, open star design is great for making unique decorations like flowers, shells and waves on your desserts.
Watch my quick (less than 2 minutes!) video tutorial to see how to use piping tips and the various designs they make.
Ways to Use Coffee Buttercream Frosting
This coffee buttercream frosting pairs perfectly with a rich chocolate cake. My personal favorite is a classic chocolate layer cake. Simply spread a generous layer of the frosting between each layer of cake and on top of the cake. I also love it piped onto a giant chocolate chip cookie cake. But don’t stop there! Let your creativity shine by using it to decorate cupcakes, cookies or even brownies. It’s a match made in dessert heaven, especially when paired with:
- Vanilla Bean Cupcakes
- Sour Cream Chocolate Cupcakes
- Red Velvet Cupcakes
- Homemade Brownies with Cocoa Powder
- Banana Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake
It’s also AMAZING on these breakfast favorites:
Store any leftover frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Before using it, let it come to room temperature and give it a quick re-whip to restore its smooth consistency.
This coffee frosting can also be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months! To maintain the silky smooth consistency, bring it to room temp in the refrigerator, then if necessary, re-whip it in a stand mixer to guarantee the best texture.
FAQs
Absolutely! Simply swap in 2 to 3 tablespoons of freshly brewed coffee for the instant coffee mix.
To prevent graininess in the frosting from the instant coffee, make sure to dissolve the coffee granules completely in hot water before adding them to the frosting. Stir the instant coffee and hot water together until the granules vanish completely. If needed, strain the coffee mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any leftover bits before adding it to the mix. Also, make sure your butter and powdered sugar are well mixed before blending in the coffee mixture.
Find inspiration with more frosting recipes you’ll love!
- 5-Minute Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
- Easy Buttercream Frosting
- Piped Cream Cheese Frosting
- The Best Sugar Cookie Icing
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temp
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons instant coffee mixed with 3 Tablespoons hot water (See Kelly’s Note)
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until it is smooth, about 1 minute.
- Add the sifted powdered sugar and salt and beat until combined.
- Stream in the coffee and continue mixing until well combined, scraping down the sides as needed, about 2 minutes.
- Increase the speed to high and beat the frosting an additional 2 minutes until fluffy. It will lighten in color as it mixes. Use immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Kelly’s Notes
- For added coffee flavor, substitute 2 to 3 tablespoons of coffee liqueur for the instant coffee mix.
- Store any leftover frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Before using it, let it come to room temperature and give it a quick re-whip to restore its smooth consistency.
- This coffee frosting can also be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months! To maintain the silky smooth consistency, bring it to room temp in the refrigerator, then if necessary, re-whip it in a stand mixer to guarantee the best texture.
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
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Never dreamed of this frosting flavor and don’t know why!! It was STELLAR. So smooth, creamy and the perfect amount of coffee flavor.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Riley!
Cant wait to try this. Thanks for sharing. Any more Recipes???
We have more than 1200 recipes here on the site! Enjoy!