• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Skip to content

Preppy Kitchen logo

  • About
    • Meet John
    • Press
  • Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Breakfast
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Breads
    • Soups
    • Salads
    • Casseroles
    • Instant Pot
    • Appetizers
    • Drinks
    • Holiday
  • Cookbook
  • Shop
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Press
  • All Recipes
  • Cookbook
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Follow us on

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Desserts » Frostings » Mocha Frosting

    Mocha Frosting

    Published: January 2, 2016 · Modified: Jun 21, 2019 by John Kanell

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

    Mocha frosting is a DELICIOUS treat that goes perfectly with any chocolate cake or cupcake. A touch of coffee brings out the flavor of chocolate but a lot of coffee adds a whole new depth of flavor and really helps balance out the sweetness of an American buttercream.

    Lots of mocha buttercream and a chocolate-covered espresso bean top a chocolate cupcake
    11726 shares
    • Share
    • Reddit
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    One of my favorite frostings is flavored with coffee and a touch of chocolate. This versatile icing can compliment many different flavor variations. It may just become your go-to cupcake topping and/or cake filling! 

    How to make Mocha Frosting

    A photo collage showing the steps to make mocha buttercream

    1. Cream the room temperature butter in a stand mixer with a paddle attachment. A hand mixer will work fine too.
    2. Once your butter is nice and creamed up, pour in the salt.
    3. Sift out and add the cocoa and espresso powders, then mix until incorporated. Sifting can prevent lumps from clogging piping tips and improve the consistency.
    4. Make sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl down and mix until homogenous.
    5. The confectioners sugar should be added in batches while the stand mixer is running on low. I recommend sifting your confectioners sugar before adding it to the stand mixer, especially if you are going to be using this buttercream for decorating.
    6. Mix until it’s nice and creamy. You can add the optional coffee and or vanilla in at this point. Pour the cream in a tablespoon at a time until a desired consistency is reached. Whip the buttercream up right before use as it tends to lose it’s consistency over time.

    Pro Tips for Making Mocha Frosting

    • Sift the cocoa powder, and powdered sugar before adding to the butter. Both can hav lumps that will clog piping tips and disturb the consistency.
    • If your buttercream has a grainy texture add a tablespoon of cream and mix. Keep adding cream, or coffee if desired while mixing until the consistency is to your satisfaction.
    • If possible, use a high-quality Dutch processed cocoa powder.
    • Don’t have unsalted butter on hand? Use salted butter and skip that 1/2 tsp. You can add additional salt to taste at the end if needed.
    • You can add more salt to taste to give this frosting more of a kick.
    • If you’d like a bit of extra crunch then add some cacao nibs! Pure chocolate, no sweetness and full of antioxidants.

    A slice of mocha cake with a ganache drip on a wooden plate

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What can you use instead of powdered espresso?

    Add 3 tablespoons of strong coffee or espresso in place of the cream. You can add more coffee or cream as needed for consistency’s sake. 

    How can I make a less sweet frosting?

    Whip up a batch of Swiss or Italian meringue buttercream! They’re very light and creamy and just delicious. Try melting 1/2 cup of semisweet chocolate with a tablespoon of instant espresso and mixing it into the finished buttercream.

    Can I use a hand mixer to make frosting?

    YES! Using a hand mixer is totally fine. You might whip some more air into the frosting but it will be negligible. Make sure to scrape the side of the bowl down

    Can you use decaf coffee for mocha frosting?

    Yes you can and I often do.

    If you’ve tried this mocha buttercream frosting recipe then don’t forget to leave a rating and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!

    A chocolate cupcake on a pin stand topped with a ruffled dollop of mocha buttercream
    Print
    5 from 43 votes

    Mocha Frosting

    A deliciously decadent buttercream with big notes of chocolate and coffee. 
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 10 minutes
    Servings 18
    Calories 389kcal
    Author John Kanell

    Ingredients

    For the Buttercream:

    • 2 cups butter unsalted 454g
    • 2 lb confectioners sugar 907g
    • 2 tbsp cocoa powder
    • 1 tbsp espresso powder
    • 1 tbsp vanilla 15mL
    • 3 tbsp heavy cream 45mL
    • 1/2 tsp salt

    Instructions

    For the Mocha Buttercream:

    • Sift the confectioners’ sugar, salt, cocoa and espresso powder into a bowl.
    • Whip the butter for about 5 minutes using a paddle attachment (in a standing mixer).
    • Beat in the sugar mixture slowly.
    • Add vanilla and drizzle in the cream while beating until desired consistency is reached. If the you want the buttercream to have a stronger espresso taste, add as much as you would like! 

    Video

    Notes

     
    • Sift the cocoa powder, and powdered sugar before adding to the butter. Both can hav lumps that will clog piping tips and disturb the consistency.
    • If your buttercream has a grainy texture add a tablespoon of cream and mix. Keep adding cream, or coffee if desired while mixing until the consistency is to your satisfaction.
    • If possible, use a high-quality Dutch processed cocoa powder.
    • Don't have unsalted butter on hand? Use salted butter and skip that 1/2 tsp. You can add additional salt to taste at the end if needed.
    •  

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1piece | Calories: 389kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 247mg | Potassium: 20mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 49g | Vitamin A: 665IU | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.1mg
    *Nutrition Disclaimer
    Have you Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @preppykitchen and tag #preppykitchen!

     

    « Chocolate Chip Cookies
    Raspberry Tarts »

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Preppy Kitchen!

    Thanks for stopping by! I’m John Kanell, a husband, dad to twins Lachlan and George, Los Angeles native, and an avid baker and cooker of all things delicious thanks to a life long education from my mother. This blog is where I share all of my kitchen creations!

    Search

    Follow Us On

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Preppy Kitchen Newsletter

    Sign up to receive recipes, recommendations and tips straight to your inbox!

    As Seen On

    As seen on Elle Décor, People, Food Network and more

    Top recipes This Month

    • An Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookie next to a glass of milk

      Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

    • A stack of peanut butter cookies on a small wooden board

      Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

    • A group of pink macarons on a serving tray next to flowers

      Macaron Recipe

    • Lemon bars dusted with powdered sugar on a green and white plate.

      Lemon Bars

    • A strawberry cake on a cake stand with a slice cut and placed in front.

      Strawberry Cake

    • A photo of a vanilla cupcake on a cupcake stand with vanilla buttercream frosting beautifully piped on top.

      Buttercream Frosting

    • A plate with multiple cake pops on it with one with a bite taken out.

      Cake Pops

    • photo of moist Vanilla Cupcakes in pink paper wrappers

      Moist Vanilla Cupcake Recipe

    • An Espresso martini on a gray surface with coffee beans scattered around

      Espresso Martini

    • Overhead view of a plate with two slices of pound cake with berries and whipped cream.

      Pound Cake

    Footer

    As Seen On:

    Elle Décor, People, Country Living, Better Homes & Gardens, Food Network, Woman's Day, forkly, Yummly, the Bump, Buzz Feed, Home and Family and New York magazine.

    The Brand

    • About John
    • Press

    Preppy Kitchen Logo

    Dessert Recipes

    • Cakes
    • Cookies
    • Cupcakes
    • Pies
    • All Desserts

    Main Course Recipes

    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Casseroles
    • InstantPot
    • Soups
    • Salads

    COPYRIGHT © 2015 - 2020 PREPPY KITCHEN | PRIVACY POLICY

    11726 shares