Coffee Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Jump to Recipe

Coffee Cream Cheese Frosting is the perfect way to top your cakes or cupcakes! This simple frosting is great for any type of cake or cupcake and perfect for coffee lovers.

Coffee Cream Cheese Frosting on a cupcake.

If you are looking for a delicious frosting for your chocolate cake or chocolate cupcakes, give this coffee cream cheese frosting recipe a try. It’s simple, delicious, sure to be your new favorite coffee-flavored frosting recipe.

This frosting would be delicious on this Chocolate Ricotta Bundt Cake or Chocolate Toffee Caramel Cake. For another coffee dessert, don’t miss my Tiramisu with Kahlua or these delicious Chocolate Espresso Cookies.

You’ll Love Coffee Cream Cheese Frosting!

Coffee Cream cheese Frosting, also known as espresso cream cheese frosting, is a smooth and flavorful frosting recipe. Made with espresso powder, you’re going to love this coffee-inspired frosting.

If you’ve never had cream cheese frosting before, it’s a smooth and slightly tangy spread that’s better than any buttercream frostings in my opinion.

This recipe is so simple to make and pairs perfectly with any chocolate layer cake or even red velvet cake. The espresso granules help to enhance the chocolate flavor in baked goods.

If you love coffee, this is the perfect frosting for you. It’s great on baked goods including cinnamon rolls, vanilla cupcakes, carrot cake, sheet cake, and even banana cake. I like to use it in my Espresso Cupcakes recipe!

So, if you’re looking for a delicious cake icing with a hint of coffee flavor, be sure to give this coffee cream cheese frosting a try. You’re going to love it!

Ingredients

Cream Cheese: use full-fat room temperature cream cheese for the frosting.
Butter: be sure you are using room temperature butter. I like to use unsalted butter, but salted works fine too.
Powdered Sugar: it’s helpful to weigh out the confectioners’ sugar for this recipe to get an accurate measurement. Use a kitchen scale if you have it.
Vanilla: a little bit of vanilla extract adds a depth of flavor to the frosting.
Instant Espresso Powder: you can find instant espresso powder in the coffee section of most grocery stores. You can substitute strong instant coffee in a pinch. Feel free to add more or less until you reach the right amount of coffee flavor.

How to Make Coffee Cream Cheese Frosting

This simple-to-make frosting uses just a few ingredients and is the perfect way to top off cakes and cupcakes.

Process shots showing how to make recipe and pipe it onto cupcakes.

Step 1: mix together butter and cream cheese

In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat together the softened butter and cream cheese. You can make this in a mixing bowl or use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment.

Step 2: add in sugar and flavorings

For best results, use a measuring cup to slowly add in the powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture. Mix on low speed until it’s fully combined, increasing the mixer to medium speed as you go.

Add in the vanilla and espresso powder and mix until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure that all of the ingredients are mixed together well.

Step 3: pipe frosting onto cake or cupcakes

Scoop the frosting into a prepared pastry bag using whatever size and shaped tip you like. Use a swirling motion to pipe the frosting on to cooled cupcakes or cake.

You can garnish the frosting with chocolate-covered espresso beans or dust on a couple teaspoons espresso powder or cocoa powder.

If using the icing for later, store in an airtight container or cover the icing with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until ready to use. Let come to room temperature before using.

Recipe Tips

Use Softened Ingredients: To ensure a smooth frosting, make sure both the full-fat cream cheese and butter are at room temperature before you start. Softened ingredients blend together more easily, resulting in a creamy and uniform texture.
Don’t Over beat: While it’s important to mix the ingredients thoroughly, over beating the cream cheese and butter can lead to a runny frosting. Once the mixture is smooth and well combined, stop mixing to prevent incorporating too much air into the frosting.
Gradually Add Sugar: Add powdered sugar in small increments, mixing well between each addition. This prevents the frosting from becoming too sweet or developing a grainy texture. Taste as you go to achieve the desired sweetness.
Espresso Powder: If you don’t have instant espresso powder, you can substitute instant coffee granules. Decaf coffee granules work too.
Make Ahead: Prepare the frosting ahead of time and refrigerate in an airtight container. Bring to room temperature before using.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is cream cheese frosting made of?

Cream cheese frosting is made of cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and any other flavors you want to add. These ingredients are blended together to create a versatile frosting recipe that’s perfect for topping cakes and cupcakes.

What is coffee frosting good on?

Coffee icing is delicious on any chocolate cakes or cupcakes, gingerbread cake, coffee cake, or anything treat that would be enhanced with coffee flavor.

Coffee Cream Cheese Frosting on chocolate cupcakes.

More Sweet Treats!

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or review in the comments section further down the page.

Stay in touch with me though social media @ Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. Don’t forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!