Chocolate, Espresso and Hazelnut Cupcakes

I’ve been wanting to try baking with more espresso powder and coffee since people seem to love it so much. But since I’m not really much of a coffee drinker I never know if it tastes right before I go to serve it. These though are the perfect blend of espresso, chocolate and hazelnut buttercream that really melts in your mouth.This cupcake recipe is my go-to chocolate cake recipe. It is light, fluffy and oh so delicious! When combined with some espresso powder it adds just the perfect amount of coffee flavoring to the cupcakes.The hazelnut buttercream on top is the best part about these cupcakes in my opinion. I hadn’t ever really had something with hazelnut in it that I was a fan of before this frosting. But this is one of my favorite frostings I’ve made to date. I highly suggest that you make these cupcakes just for this frosting.[amd-yrecipe-recipe:208]Source: Cake adapted from Kiss my Bundt- Chrysta Wilson

Chocolate Espresso Cinnamon Cupcakes

I went into the office a few weeks ago and I love taking cupcakes when I go in. I have several coworkers who absolutely LOVE coffee and I thought I’d make a coffee based cupcake for them to enjoy. Chocolate is a fantastic compliment to coffee and cinnamon really rounds out the trio.These cupcakes are super fluffy and full of fantastic coffee flavor. The frosting on top was described as “heavenly” by several of my coworkers. It is made with real coffee, espresso powder and cinnamon all in a buttercream base. I chose to sprinkle cinnamon over top to balance out the coffee flavor, however you can use whatever you like, cocoa powder, espresso powder or cinnamon.[amd-yrecipe-recipe:122]