Double Shot Cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery

Double Shot Cupcake from Magnolia Bakery
  • Yield: 24 servings


Devil's Food Cupcake Batter
2cups cake flour
1cup Dutch process cocoa powder
1 1/2teaspoons baking soda
1/2teaspoon salt
3/4cup (1½ sticks) butter, room temperature
1 1/2cups brown sugar
1/2cup sugar
3large eggs
2teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2cups buttermilk
Vanilla Cupcake Batter
4large eggs
1cup whole milk
1teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2cups cake flour
1 1/2cups self-rising flour
2cups sugar
1cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature and cut into 1-inch cubes
Coffee Bean French Buttercream Frosting
1/2cup water
1 1/2cups sugar, divided
1/4teaspoon cream of tartar
6 egg yolks
1/8cup instant espresso powder
4 sticks butter, cut into 1-inch cubes


  1. Preheat oven to 325 F and line cupcake pans with paper liners.
  3.  In bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, or using a hand mixer, cream together ¾ cup butter, ½ cup sugar and the brown sugar on speed 2 (medium) until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add 3 eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add 2 tsp. vanilla and mix until just incorporated.
  6. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, or using a hand mixer, combine the 2 1/2 cups cake flour, self-rising flour and 2 cups sugar on speed 1 (low) for 2 minutes. With the mixer still running, add remaining butter one cube at a time. Add ½ of the milk mixture. Mix on speed 2 (medium). With the mixer running on speed 1 (low), slowly pour in whisked eggs and remaining milk mixture—continue mixing for 1-2 minutes.
  7. Scoop a ½ scoop of each batter into each prepared cupcake liner. Use a paring knife, swirl the two batters together. Do not over-swirl—you should be able to see each color.
  8. Bake for about 25 minutes. Once cooled, cover with Coffee Bean French Buttercream Frosting.

To make the Coffee Bean French Buttercream Frosting:

  1. In a small saucepan, combine water and 1 cup of sugar, stirring with a wooden spoon to combine well. Heat the saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar. Dissolve the cream of tartar in 1 tsp. water; add to sugar once it reaches a boil. Stop stirring.
  2. Leaving the sugar mixture over low heat, beat egg yolks in a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, or with a hand mixer, on speed 2 (medium) until creamy and light in color. Continue beating and add the remaining ½ cup sugar in 4 parts.
  3. When the syrup reaches 235 F on a candy thermometer, increase the mixer to speed 3 (high). When the syrup reaches 250 F, remove the pan from the heat and, in a slow stream, add the sugar syrup to the mixer. Immediately add the espresso powder. Continuing on speed 3, beat egg yolk mixture until it cools. Making sure the egg mixture has cooled completely, add the butter one cube at a time and continue beating on speed 3 until it is all incorporated, and frosting is fluffy and smooth.

This post originally appeared on PEOPLE’s Great Ideas Channel.