Coffee Cupcakes w/ Vanilla Caramel Buttercream Icing

I was inspired by all the Coffee-mate stuff I got last week and decided to use the idea of coffee and some of my free creamer to make these delicious cupcakes.  According to one of my friends who tried one, "It tastes like you're eating a latte!"  Yum!  I think that's a perfect description of these delicious cupcakes- and I don't even drink coffee!

Coffee Cupcakes


1 c white sugar
1/2 c butter, softened
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 tsp coffee extract
1 1/2 c. flour
1 3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 c milk


Cream together sugar and butter.  Add eggs and vanilla, mix well.  Combine flour and baking powder, add to sugar mixture and combine until wet.  Add milk, stir until large lumps are gone.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 min or until cake feels springy.


*For plain (white) cupcakes, increase vanilla to 2 tsp and remove coffee extract.

Buttercream Icing


1/2 c butter, softened
3 1/2 c confectioners sugar
4 tbsp vanilla caramel Coffee-mate
5 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla


Beat all ingredients together with mixer until smooth.  Add additional sugar if too thin; add additional milk (NOT Coffee-mate) if too thick.


*You can substitute in any flavor Coffee-mate you want into this icing to make a variety of flavors!


So even if you don't drink coffee, you can still enjoy these cupcakes!  And don't forget to enter to win yourself some FREE Coffee-mate until TONIGHT!