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Classic Coffee Buttercream Frosting

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 22, 2007

Time

40 minutes

Yield

Makes about 4 cups

Classic Coffee Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients

3 tablespoons instant espresso powder 3 tablespoons water (warm)4 large eggs 1 cup granulated sugar pinch table salt 1 pound (454 grams) unsalted butter (4 sticks), softened, each stick cut into quarters

Before You Begin

The whole eggs, whipped until airy, give this buttercream a light, satiny-smooth texture that melts on the tongue.

Instructions

  1. Dissolve instant espresso powder in warm water; set aside.
  2. Combine eggs, sugar, and salt in bowl of standing mixer; place bowl over pan of simmering water. Whisking gently but constantly, heat mixture until thin and foamy and registers 160 degrees on instant-read thermometer.
  3. Beat egg mixture on medium-high speed with whisk attachment until light, airy, and cooled to room temperature, about 5 minutes. Reduce speed to medium and add butter, one piece at a time. (After adding half the butter, buttercream may look curdled; it will smooth with additional butter.) Once all butter is added, add dissolved coffee, increase speed to high and beat 1 minute until light, fluffy, and thoroughly combined. (Buttercream can be covered and refrigerated up to 5 days.)
Classic Coffee Buttercream Frosting

Classic Coffee Buttercream Frosting

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

40 minutes

Yield

Makes about 4 cups

Ingredients

3 tablespoons instant espresso powder
3 tablespoons water (warm)
4 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
pinch table salt
1 pound (454 grams) unsalted butter (4 sticks), softened, each stick cut into quarters

Ingredients

3 tablespoons instant espresso powder
3 tablespoons water (warm)
4 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
pinch table salt
1 pound (454 grams) unsalted butter (4 sticks), softened, each stick cut into quarters

Ingredients

3 tablespoons instant espresso powder
3 tablespoons water (warm)
4 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
pinch table salt
1 pound (454 grams) unsalted butter (4 sticks), softened, each stick cut into quarters

Why This Recipe Works

We used whole eggs, whipped until airy, to give our coffee buttercream recipe a light, satiny-smooth texture that melts on the tongue.

Before You Begin

The whole eggs, whipped until airy, give this buttercream a light, satiny-smooth texture that melts on the tongue.

Instructions

  1. Dissolve instant espresso powder in warm water; set aside.
  2. Combine eggs, sugar, and salt in bowl of standing mixer; place bowl over pan of simmering water. Whisking gently but constantly, heat mixture until thin and foamy and registers 160 degrees on instant-read thermometer.
  3. Beat egg mixture on medium-high speed with whisk attachment until light, airy, and cooled to room temperature, about 5 minutes. Reduce speed to medium and add butter, one piece at a time. (After adding half the butter, buttercream may look curdled; it will smooth with additional butter.) Once all butter is added, add dissolved coffee, increase speed to high and beat 1 minute until light, fluffy, and thoroughly combined. (Buttercream can be covered and refrigerated up to 5 days.)

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