The Best Baileys & Coffee Cupcakes Recipe for Sweet Indulgence

Sweet Baileys & coffee cupcakes merge two beloved indulgences into a decadent dessert that converts ordinary baking into an extraordinary experience.

Rich, velvety undertones dance through each tender crumb, promising a sophisticated treat for adult palates.

Creamy liqueur infuses depth and complexity into traditional cake textures, elevating the classic cupcake format.

Subtle coffee notes complement the smooth Irish cream, creating a harmonious flavor profile that feels both comforting and elegant.

Delicate aromatics hint at warm, inviting sensations that awaken multiple senses simultaneously.

Sophisticated yet approachable, these cupcakes represent a perfect balance between familiar comfort and gourmet innovation.

Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that celebrates delightful flavor combinations.

Why Baileys & Coffee Cupcakes Are Perfect for Grown-Up Sweet Tooths

• Boost Flavor Complexity: Combining Baileys, coffee, and chocolate creates a multi-layered taste experience that dances between sweet, rich, and slightly bitter notes.
• Quick Comfort Baking: This recipe offers an easy, impressive dessert that takes less than an hour to prepare, perfect for spontaneous gatherings or weekend treat cravings.
• Adult Dessert Delight: Infusing classic cupcakes with Baileys and espresso transforms an ordinary baked good into a sophisticated, grown-up indulgence that elevates your dessert game.
• Texture Wonderland: The recipe delivers a moist, tender cupcake with a silky smooth buttercream frosting, providing a luxurious mouthfeel that melts perfectly on your tongue.

Everything That Goes into Baileys & Coffee Cupcakes

• Cake Flour: Soft and fine flour for light, tender cupcake texture.
• Espresso Powder: Enhances deep coffee flavor throughout the cupcake.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents for proper rise.
• Salt: Balances and enhances overall flavor profile.

• Butter: Rich, creamy base for tender cupcake structure.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with moisture and texture.
• Egg Whites: Creates light, airy cupcake texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic background flavor.
• Sour Cream: Ensures moisture and tender crumb.
• Coffee, Baileys: Adds signature flavor and moisture to the batter.

• Butter: Creamy, smooth base for buttercream.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet frosting texture.
• Espresso Powder: Optional ingredient for enhanced coffee flavor.
• Baileys, Coffee: Adds signature Irish cream and coffee notes to frosting.
• Salt: Balances sweetness in the buttercream.

• Chocolate Sprinkles: Decorative topping for visual appeal.

How to Bake Baileys & Coffee Cupcakes with Bold Flavor

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Cupcake Pans

Warm up your oven to 350°F. Grab your muffin pans and line them with cupcake liners – you’ll need space for about 14 cupcakes.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Cake flour
• Espresso powder
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Whisk everything together until well blended.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

Using a mixer, whip butter until smooth and creamy for about 1 minute. Add sugar and beat for 2 minutes until the mixture looks light and fluffy.

Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients

• Egg whites
• Vanilla extract
• Sour cream

Mix thoroughly, scraping down bowl sides as needed.

Step 5: Combine Ingredients

On low mixer speed, slowly add dry ingredients. Pour in coffee and Baileys. Mix gently until just combined – avoid overmixing.

Step 6: Bake Cupcakes

Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full. Bake for 19-22 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cupcakes cool completely.

Step 7: Create Baileys Coffee Buttercream

• Confectioners' sugar
• Espresso powder
• Baileys
• Coffee

Start mixing on low, then increase to medium-high for 2 minutes. Adjust texture by adding more sugar or Baileys. Add a pinch of salt to balance sweetness.

Step 8: Decorate Cupcakes

Frost cooled cupcakes. Sprinkle chocolate shavings on top if desired.

Tips to Keep Baileys & Coffee Cupcakes Moist and Rich

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for flour, espresso powder, and liquids to ensure the perfect cupcake texture and flavor balance.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Let butter, eggs, and sour cream sit at room temperature for smoother mixing and better incorporation of ingredients.
• Avoid Overmixing: Stop mixing as soon as dry ingredients are combined to prevent tough, dense cupcakes with a rubbery texture.
• Coffee Intensity Tip: Adjust espresso powder quantity to control the depth of coffee flavor, starting with less and adding more to taste.
• Frosting Consistency Hack: Start with less liquid (Baileys and coffee) and gradually add more to achieve the ideal spreadable buttercream without becoming too runny.

How to Store Baileys & Coffee Cupcakes for Longer Freshness

• Refrigeration: Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover loosely with plastic wrap to prevent the buttercream from absorbing other flavors. Keep them in a single layer to maintain their beautiful shape and texture.
• Room Temperature: Before serving, remove cupcakes from the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to enjoying. This allows the buttercream to soften and the cupcake to reach the perfect serving temperature, bringing back their delightful moistness and rich flavor.
• Freezing: Wrap unfrosted cupcakes individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. They'll stay fresh for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and frost just before serving to ensure maximum freshness and taste.

What to Serve with Baileys & Coffee Cupcakes

• Elevate With Irish Coffee: Pair these Baileys & Coffee Cupcakes with a classic Irish coffee, enhancing the rich coffee and whiskey notes while creating a warm, comforting flavor harmony.
• Chocolate Lover's Dream: Serve alongside dark chocolate truffles or a rich chocolate mousse to complement the cupcakes' deep coffee and Baileys undertones, creating a decadent dessert experience.
• Creamy Counterpoint: Match with vanilla bean ice cream or a light mascarpone cream to balance the intense coffee and sweet Baileys flavors, providing a cool, smooth contrast to the rich cupcake.
• Nutty Accompaniment: Garnish with toasted hazelnuts or serve with almond biscotti to add a crunchy texture and nutty depth that beautifully enhances the cupcake's complex flavor profile.

Tasty Twists on Baileys & Coffee Cupcakes

• Chocolate Espresso Explosion: Enhance the cupcakes by adding dark chocolate chips to the batter and topping with a rich chocolate ganache drizzle and chocolate-covered espresso beans.
• Irish Cream Mocha Magic: Replace Baileys with Irish cream liqueur and add cocoa powder to the cake flour for an intensified mocha flavor profile.
• Salted Caramel Coffee Kick: Incorporate a salted caramel core inside the cupcakes and top with a caramel-infused Baileys buttercream, garnished with a caramel drizzle and sea salt flakes.
• Nutty Kahlúa Crunch: Swap Baileys for Kahlúa and mix chopped toasted hazelnuts into the batter, finishing with a nutty buttercream and crushed hazelnut sprinkle.

Baileys & Coffee Cupcakes Recipe

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4.8 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Baileys & Coffee Cupcakes blend Irish cream’s luxurious richness with bold espresso notes in a sophisticated dessert. Rich chocolate ganache and whipped cream frosting complete this indulgent treat that promises pure dessert bliss for coffee and cocktail enthusiasts.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

Cupcake Base:

• 1 ¾ cups (207 grams) cake flour
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter
• 3 large egg whites

Flavor Enhancers:

• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) Baileys Irish Cream
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) strong black coffee
• 2 teaspoons espresso powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Supporting Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup (80 grams) sour cream
• ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Buttercream Ingredients:

Primary Components:

• 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter
• 4 cups (480 grams) confectioners’ sugar

Flavor Additions:

• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) Baileys Irish Cream
• 1 ½ tablespoons strong black coffee
• ½ teaspoon espresso powder

Finishing Touch:

• 1 pinch salt

Optional Garnish:

• Chocolate sprinkles

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and arrange cupcake liners in two muffin pans, accommodating approximately 14 cupcakes.
2. In a medium bowl, thoroughly combine cake flour, espresso powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt using a whisk until evenly distributed.
3. Using an electric mixer, cream butter at high speed until smooth and silky, approximately 1 minute.
4. Gradually add sugar to the butter, beating on high speed for 2 minutes until the mixture becomes light and voluminous.
5. Incorporate egg whites and vanilla extract, mixing until fully blended.
6. Fold in sour cream, ensuring complete integration and scraping down the bowl’s sides as necessary.
7. Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually introduce dry ingredients, then carefully pour in coffee and Baileys liqueur.
8. Mix ingredients until just combined, being careful not to overmix the batter.
9. Fill cupcake liners approximately two-thirds full to prevent overflow during baking.
10. Bake for 19-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean.
11. Remove from oven and allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
12. For buttercream, beat butter at medium speed for 2 minutes until creamy and smooth.
13. Add confectioners’ sugar, espresso powder, Baileys, and coffee to the butter.
14. Beat initial mixture on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase to medium-high for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
15. Adjust frosting consistency by adding more confectioners’ sugar or Baileys as needed.
16. Sprinkle a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness of the frosting.
17. Generously frost cooled cupcakes and optionally garnish with chocolate sprinkles.

Notes

• Prepare baking tools and ingredients in advance to ensure a smooth baking experience.
• Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing and a more consistent cupcake texture.
• Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent tough, dense cupcakes with a rubbery consistency.
• Coffee and Baileys can be adjusted to taste, allowing for a personalized flavor profile.
• Cool cupcakes completely before frosting to prevent melting and maintain a clean, professional look.
• Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 385 kcal
• Sugar: 38 g
• Sodium: 95 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg