I use my colleagues to test out my new cakes (much to their enjoyment…or maybe not sometimes!) and these were one of those experiments. After their feedback I upped the coffee in the cake mix, so these should pack a punch but that is balance out by the creamy coffee frosting on top.
I like to make the recipe for cupcakes as I love getting an individual cake all to myself, but you could easily put in into a loaf tin or a cake tin and still coat with the frosting.
Coffee and Walnut Cupcakes
Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Servings: 12 – 16
Ingredients
Ingredients for the cupcakes:
- 1 1/2 cups / 200g plain gluten free flour (I like to use Dove’s Farm)
- 1/2 teaspoon xanthum gum (again, I use Dove’s Farm)
- 1 cup / 225g caster sugar
- 1 cup / 225g unsalted butter, softened
- 4 teaspoons of espresso powder
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 bicarbonate of soda
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup / 50g walnut pieces
- 2 – 3 tablespoons of milk
Ingredients for the frosting:
- 3 1/4 cups / 350g icing sugar
- 3/4 cup / 175g unsalted butter, softened
- 2 1/2 teaspoons instant espresso powder, dissolved in a little water
- Optional walnut halves to decorate
Method
- Pre heat the oven to 180 degrees and line your cupcake tin with cases
- In a bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until they are creamy
- Into the same bowl, add the espresso powder, eggs, and mix, followed by the flour, xanthum gum, bicarbonate of sofa and baking powder. Mix together and combine until it becomes a smooth batter, then fold in the walnut pieces
- Add the milk to loosen the mixture. If it is particularly thick, you may need to add a little more
- Divide the mixture into the cupcake cases, filling 3/4 of the way up. Place in the oven and cook for 12 – 15 minutes, ensuring a skewer comes out clean. Once cooked, place on a wire rack to cool completely
- To make the frosting, in a bowl slowly mix the sieved icing into the softened butter, a little at a time. Once combined by hand, use a mixer to ensure it is smooth. Add the dissolved espresso to the frosting and mix thoroughly. Taste and adjust if you think it needs more coffee in the frosting
- Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, smooth over the frosting onto each cupcake, or pipe to give a more professional finish. Place and walnut halve on each and hand out for all to enjoy!