Dreamy Baileys & Coffee Cupcakes Recipe: Sweet Buzz Treats

When the rich aroma of Baileys & coffee cupcakes starts wafting through your kitchen, get ready for a delightful sensory experience that blends decadence with comfort.

Indulgent desserts often tell stories of relaxation and pure enjoyment.

These cupcakes marry the smooth, velvety notes of Baileys with the deep, robust essence of freshly brewed coffee.

Each delicate bite promises a harmonious dance of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.

Soft, moist cake layers infused with Irish cream liqueur create an irresistible treat that’s perfect for adult gatherings or a personal moment of sweet bliss.

The subtle hints of coffee complement the creamy Baileys, ensuring a sophisticated dessert that feels both elegant and comforting.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 329 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients for Baileys & Coffee Cupcakes You’ll Crave

• Cake Flour: Provides delicate, tender crumb with soft texture, choose unbleached for best quality.
• Espresso Powder: Intensifies coffee flavor, select high-quality ground espresso for robust taste.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Crucial leavening agents ensuring light and airy cupcake structure.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity, balances sweetness of cupcake.

• Butter: Creates rich, creamy foundation, use room temperature European-style butter for superior flavor.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with caramelization, select fine granulated for smooth texture.
• Egg Whites: Adds structure and lightness, ensure fresh eggs at room temperature.
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens flavor profile, choose pure extract over artificial.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and tanginess, select full-fat variety for best results.

• Coffee: Adds deep, aromatic undertone, use freshly brewed strong coffee.
• Baileys Irish Cream: Introduces creamy, whiskey-infused complexity, select original flavor.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Creates smooth, spreadable frosting texture, sift to prevent lumps.
• Chocolate Sprinkles: Optional decorative element, provides delightful textural contrast.

Tools You’ll Need for Baileys & Coffee Cupcake Baking

• Stand or Hand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter, beating ingredients smoothly, and creating fluffy buttercream.
• Paddle Attachment: Helps mix ingredients evenly and creates a smooth batter consistency.
• 12-Cup Muffin Pan: Perfectly sizes cupcake liners for uniform baking.
• Cupcake Liners: Prevents sticking and makes serving easier.
• Whisk: Combines dry ingredients thoroughly and breaks up any lumps.
• Spatula: Scrapes down bowl sides and ensures all ingredients are mixed.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for ingredients.
• Toothpick: Checks cupcake doneness by testing center.
• Mixing Bowls: Separates and combines ingredients during preparation.

Making Baileys & Coffee Cupcakes at Home

• Oven Preparation

Set up your oven space and muffin pans, warming the kitchen to a toasty 350°F. Line your baking trays with cute paper cups, preparing for delicious magic.

• Dry Ingredient Blend

Gather your powdery companions – flour, espresso dust, rising agents, and a whisper of salt. Gently mix these together, creating a soft, fragrant foundation.

• Butter Ballet

Grab your mixer and transform butter into a silky dream. Whip in sugar until the mixture becomes light and cloud-like, creating a sweet canvas.

• Liquid Love

Introduce egg whites, vanilla essence, and creamy sour cream. Let these ingredients dance together, blending smoothly into your growing mixture.

• Final Mixing

Slowly fold in your dry ingredients, then splash in coffee and Baileys. Stir tenderly, avoiding aggressive mixing that might make cupcakes tough.

• Baking Moment

Pour batter into waiting paper cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Slide into the warm oven, letting cupcakes transform for 19-22 minutes until perfectly golden.

• Frosting Finale

Whip butter into a dreamy cream, then blend in powdered sugar, Baileys, and coffee. Create a luxurious topping that will make taste buds dance with joy.

• Cupcake Celebration

Once cooled, crown your cupcakes with the luscious frosting. Sprinkle with chocolate magic if desired, and prepare for delightful reactions.

Tips to Perfect Your Baileys & Coffee Cupcakes

• Enhance the coffee intensity by using freshly ground espresso beans or swapping regular espresso powder for a concentrated instant espresso blend for deeper, richer notes.
• Experiment with alternative Irish cream liqueurs like Carolans or Saint Brendan's, or replace Baileys with Kahlúa for a different flavor profile that complements the coffee theme.
• Bake cupcakes up to 2 days in advance and store in an airtight container at room temperature. Frost just before serving to maintain maximum freshness and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Substitute cake flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum to improve texture and prevent crumbling.
• Sprinkle crushed chocolate-covered espresso beans, drizzle melted chocolate, or add a mini chocolate-covered coffee bean on top of each frosted cupcake for an elegant and delicious finishing touch.

When to Serve Baileys & Coffee Cupcakes

• Elevate Coffee Hour: Serve these cupcakes alongside a steaming mug of freshly brewed espresso for an indulgent afternoon treat that amplifies the coffee flavor.
• Create Dessert Pairing: Match the cupcakes with a small scoop of coffee or chocolate ice cream to enhance the rich, creamy taste profile.
• Adult Party Showstopper: Present these cupcakes at evening gatherings or cocktail parties as a sophisticated dessert that combines classic bakery charm with a spirited twist.
• Gift-Worthy Presentation: Package the cupcakes in clear boxes with a decorative ribbon, making them a perfect homemade gift for coffee and Baileys lovers.

Keeping Baileys & Coffee Cupcakes Fresh

• Store Smartly: Keep cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, protecting them from drying out.
• Refrigerate with Care: Place frosted cupcakes in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Remove 30 minutes before serving to soften buttercream.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Wrap unfrosted cupcakes individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and frost before serving.
• Optimize Buttercream Freshness: Store leftover frosting in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Bring to room temperature and re-whip before using.

Boozy Baileys & Coffee Cupcakes Recipe

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• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Irish bakers’ beloved Baileys & Coffee Cupcakes combine rich espresso and smooth liqueur in a delightful dessert. Chocolate ganache frosting and coffee-soaked cake layers promise a luxurious treat you’ll savor with each indulgent bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 ¼ cups (226 grams) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (207 grams) cake flour
• 4 cups (480 grams) confectioners’ sugar
• 3 large egg whites
• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) Baileys Irish Cream
• ⅓ cup (80 grams) sour cream
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) strong black coffee
• 2 tsp espresso powder
• 1 ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
• ¾ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 3 tbsps (45 milliliters) Baileys Irish Cream
• 1 ½ tbsps strong black coffee
• ½ tsp espresso powder
• 1 pinch salt
• Chocolate sprinkles (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and position cupcake liners in two muffin pans to accommodate about 14 cupcakes.
2. Dry Ingredients: Whisk cake flour, espresso powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until uniformly blended.
3. Butter Mixture: Cream butter using an electric mixer until smooth, then gradually add sugar, beating for 2 minutes until light and airy.
4. Wet Ingredients Integration: Blend egg whites, vanilla extract, and sour cream into the butter mixture, ensuring thorough incorporation and scraping bowl sides.
5. Batter Formation: Gradually mix in dry ingredients on low speed, then gently fold in coffee and Baileys liqueur, being careful not to overmix.
6. Baking Process: Fill cupcake liners two-thirds full and bake for 19-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely.
7. Frosting Preparation: Beat butter until creamy, then add confectioners’ sugar, espresso powder, Baileys, and coffee. Mix on low speed initially, then increase to medium-high for 2 minutes.
8. Frosting Finalization: Adjust consistency with additional confectioners’ sugar or Baileys, sprinkle a pinch of salt to balance sweetness, and generously frost cooled cupcakes.
9. Presentation: Optionally garnish with chocolate sprinkles for an elegant finish.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients and liquid mixtures to maintain a tender, light cupcake texture. Overmixing can lead to tough, dense results.
• Precise Temperature Matters: Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother batter and more even mixing. Cold ingredients can disrupt the cupcake’s structure.
• Check Doneness Carefully: Use the toothpick test to confirm baking completion, inserting it into the cupcake’s center. A clean toothpick indicates perfectly baked cupcakes.
• Balance Frosting Flavors: Adjust Baileys and espresso powder gradually to achieve a harmonious taste. Start with small amounts and taste as you go for optimal flavor intensity.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Drinks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Irish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 329
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 155 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 37 mg