Coffee buttercream takes any dessert to the next level. This creamy coffee flavor frosting is made with instant coffee granules, this recipe is easy and delicious!
Generally, I am not so much of an American Buttercream fan, but Coffee Buttercream is a whole different story. This lush, soft, pillowy frosting is flavored with coffee creating an incredibly delicious frosting that is not too sweet!
If you like coffee flavored desserts don't miss this family favorite Coffee Creme Brulee or Coffee Cheesecake!
The Key Players
Butter must be at room temperature to ensure your frosting whips up smoothly, trust me its not worth trying to make frosting with cold butter! I've tried and failed!
The frosting gets its beautiful flavor from either instant coffee or espresso powder (adjust the amount to your preference less or more)
Four Easy Steps to Dreamy Coffee Frosting
This frosting is perfect on my Coffee Layer Cake! Or on top of brownies!
Making frosting ahead of time
Store frosting in the fridge for up to 7 days, let come to room temperature and mix before using.
★★★★★ Please let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a star rating and comment below!
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Coffee Buttercream
Coffee buttercream takes any dessert to the next level. Made with instant coffee granules this recipe is easy and delicious!
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: Enough to frost a 2 layer 8 inch cake
Ingredients
Coffee Buttercream
- 8oz (1 Cup) Butter, at room temp.
- 438-500 grams (3 ½-4 Cups) Powdered Sugar, sifted, depending on how sweet/thick you want
- 1 Tablespoon Instant coffee (adjust amount to your preference less or more)
- ½oz Hot water (more or less depending on how strong you want the coffee flavor)
- 1oz (2 Tablespoons) Heavy Cream / Double Cream
Instructions
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, or large bowl with a hand held mixer beat the butter for 5 full minutes, until light and fluffy.
- Sieve the powdered sugar to prevent any lumps and add half to butter. Beat for another 5 minutes then add the remaining powdered sugar and mix for 3 more minutes.
- While powdered sugar is mixing into butter, in a small bowl add instant coffee and hot water. Add the coffee mixture to frosting with heavy cream and beat for another 3 minutes.
- Spread or pipe frosting. Store in the fridge for up to 7 days, let come to room temperature, and mix before using.
- Prep Time: 10
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Mix
- Cuisine: American
Shelly says
I don’t have instant coffee. Can I use real coffee instead?
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Shelly, thanks for reaching out. You can use a very concentrated amount of real coffee. If I were you I would simmer some on the stove to reduce to get a more concentrated flavor to flavor the buttercream. Please let me know if you have any other questions or if you try the recipe! Thank you!! XX Liz
Shelly says
Thank you, Liz!
I caved and bought instant. But I may try this next time! 🙂
Elizabeth Waterson says
Ah no worries, let me know how you like the frosting! 🙂
BakerStar89 says
Chocolate cake and this, is delectable!!! Thanks for the awesome recipe I’m saving this!
Laura says
This recipe is simply amazing!It is simple and super good!I loved it!!!
Richelle says
I doubled the recipe for the chocolate cake I made, and the flavours went well with eachother. This recipe I feel like was too sweet, so measure your sugar to your liking. I used 7 cups of sugar which was too much for me. If you've made the same mistake in adding too much sugar, i suggest adding salt to balance it more, or beat it for longer. Otherwise, not too bad.
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Richelle, sorry you felt it was too sweet for your taste, you can definitely adjust as necessary! Take care. XX Liz
Julie says
This is honestly the most amazing buttercream I've ever tasted. I made my own coffee & walnut sponge then filled and topped it with this. Wow, just wow! My family claims it's the best cake I've ever made & I'm known for giving good cake. Thank you for taking my baking to the next level.
Elizabeth Waterson says
Aww Julie, thank you so much for the lovely review. I am so pleased you enjoyed the frosting!!! My favorite way to have it is with a coffee walnut spone too!! Take care. XX Liz
nargess says
would you be able to share your coffee walnut sponge cake please? Please with sugar on top lol!
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi there- here it is https://confessionsofabakingqueen.com/coffee-layer-cake/ Let me know if you have any questions! XX Liz
Saraya says
I think it was absolutely amazing it was soft and perfect for my sisters birthday
Even though she didn’t want to share with the rest of us
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Saraya, thank you so much for the lovely review! I am glad you enjoyed the frosting! Take care. XX Liz
Callie says
Can I use half and half instead of heavy cream? It doesn't seem worth buying for such a small amount. Any suggestions? Thank you.
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Callie, yes you totally can! Please let me know if you try the recipe I would love ot know what you think! XX Liz
Kael Brown says
Ohmygoodness so so delicious! I made a vanilla cake filled with chocolate mousse and the coffee buttercream for the frosting for my best friend’s birthday. To. Die. For. My friend is diabetic so I cut the sugar a tad but I like less sweet desserts anyway so it turned out perfect. Will definitely make again this is now my go-to! Thank you ☺️
Destiny says
How many cupcakes would this frost?
Elizabeth Waterson says
Anywhere from 12-24 depending on how much frosting you like on them! Please let me know if you try the recipe! XX Liz
Jill says
Yummy recipe! Wow!
How long can the frosted cake be out of the refrigerator?
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Jill! Thanks for the review, the cake can stay out at room temperature since it's buttercream but keep in mind room temperature is about 68°F and in the summertime, most rooms are warmer than that. Since it's primarily compromised of butter just think would a stick of butter melt in the room? If so, the cake probably will. I would suggest keeping it stored in the fridge up until about 30 minutes to an hour before serving so it has time to take the chill off and avoid direct sunlight. Please let me know if you have any other questions. And if you did make the recipe if you could please leave a review with a star rating I Would be so grateful!! XX Liz
doris says
sorry but you can have your cake and anything else with coffee and this chick wont since I don't drink coffee and don't like the taste of anything with coffee cuz to me its nasty
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Doris, that is fine you don't need to make this recipe. Try something else you actually like. Take care. XX Liz
Giuseppe says
Why are people so stupid???
I find it amazing that you would actually read a recipe for "Coffee Buttercream" when you don't like coffee. Who cares what you like.
Top Catterson says
I do, which is why I read this article. And it’s yummy! I used JOT coffee concentrate instead of making coffee or instant. And it was fantastic, just one tablespoon, but I was making a mild flavored icing. And tablespoon with 8oz of water is an iced coffee..so it makes sense. Anyway, it’s great, I used the vanilla JOT and made plain buttercream.
Corbin makes cornbread says
I am making a cake for my dad and me and my brother had the idea for a chocolate cake with coffee buttercream and yours was suburb I loved it and all of the others weren't good and then I stumbled across your 5 stars
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Corbin, thank you so much for the lovely review! I hope your cake turns out fabulous! Take care. XX Liz
Anush says
Hi does this buttercream hold up fondant
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Anush, I am so sorry I do not know I have never used it with Fondant 🙁 Please let me know if you try and if it works well or not! XX Liz
Linda Metzger says
Hello all!
This is my 2nd time using this superb icing recipe!
It is yummy ecstasy...purely Heaven!!
I made cupcakes then made this recipe only I doubled the amount of Taster Choice instant coffee~
Everyone raved. This may be my 2nd time making it but it will not be the last!
Thee BEST icing I have ever tasted~
Elizabeth Waterson says
Aww you are so sweet Linda, thank you for the lovely review. Take care. XX Liz
Vanessa Boon says
Hello 🙂 This recipe looks great. I’m wondering if you think using baileys in place of the water for the coffee granules would work okay? For example, would using 1oz baileys be an okay substitute, and do you think the flavour would shine through against the coffee?
Thanks!
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Vanessa, Baileys sounds great! I am not sure though that it would shine through against the coffee flavor, coffee is so overpowering. I would add less coffee and more Baileys if that makes sense. Let me know if you have any other questions or if you try the recipe I would love to know what you think! XX Liz
Tina says
I just made this and it is amazing thank you.
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Tina, thank you so much for the lovely review, next time could I ask a huge favor please would you leave a star rating too? I am so pleased that you enjoyed the frosting! Take care. XX Liz
Erica says
I want to make this tomorrow and I wanted to know how strong the coffee flavor is? I’m going to make chocolate cupcakes and the recipe I use calls for a cup of boiling water. I was thinking about replacing that with a cup of coffee. I just wanted to know your thoughts on that and if you think that would be good or just too much coffee? Thank you
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Erica, the frosting definitely has a stronger coffee flavor. For chocolate cupcakes I would for sure swap out the hot water for coffee, it won't make the cupcakes taste like coffee but it will intensify the chocolate flavor- I do this for most all of my chocolate cake recipes! Goodluck and please do report back with a star rating how you like the frosting! LMK if you haev any other questions! XX Liz
Sara says
Amazing! Used 3.5 cups sugar and a little extra coffee. Have made it twice (so far)!
Elizabeth Waterson says
Yay! Thanks for the lovely review Sara- so pleased that you enjoyed it!! Take care. XX Liz
Theresa says
Just wanted to know if freezing is a good method. Trying to make it ahead 2?weeks in advance
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Theresa, sorry for the delay you ended up in my spam folder! 🙁 I personally don't freeze buttercream that often but I know you can for sure. I would just make sure it is throughly wrapped up so no freezer burn then once it thaws rewhip it!! Goodluck and let me know how it goes! XX Liz
Dee says
I will be attempting this recipe tonight for my grandson's 11th birthday. He wants a coffee flavored cake w/coffee flavored icing! I'm excited to see how it turns out. I will come back for the star rating.
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Dee! Sounds like a great cake!! I hope it turns out beautiful for your grandson! Happy Baking XX Liz
Sue says
That is THE best buttercream frosting, thank you so much for sharing!
Perfect with rich chocolate brownies
Elizabeth Waterson says
Thank you so much for this lovely review, Sue!! So so glad you enjoy the frosting, on top of brownies sounds great!! Take care. XX Liz
Jett Jones says
I saw at the rave reviews and thought there is no way this is that good. Not in a bad way, I just thought how good could coffee buttercream be? But I needed to make it for a friend birthday. Holy moly!!!! Not only was it easy to make but it's seriously DELISHHHHH! I put it on chocolate cupcakes with a drizzle of caramel on top and it was amazing!!! My family doesn't like coffee (how dare they!) And they even loved this frosting! So here I am, 2nd weekend in a row making this grosting:-)
Anonymous says
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Christina says
I just made this frosting and it did not disappoint! I was wondering how long it can stay at room temp. I'm planning to decorate my cake tomorrow morning but would prefer to just leave the frosting on the counter overnight if possible, rather than refrigerate and have to wait for it to come to room temp. It's about 69° in my house.
Durga says
This was perfect, I made it with 4 cups of powdered sugar and brewed coffee for the hot water to add to the instant.
Sahara says
Some of my ingredients weren't in the ideal states and I didn't have all of the equipment, but it still turned out nice. A sweet and pleasant coffee buttercream. Thank you so much for this recipe.
Elizabeth Waterson says
So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe Sahara!! Merry Christmas XX Liz