Coffee Buttercream Frosting

For all you coffee fanatics out there, this dessert was made for you. My roommate Jessica's birthday was yesterday, and she drinks about 2 cups of coffee a day. What better cupcake to give her than one with an aroma of coffee beans? 


Frosting ingredients (15-20 cupcakes):

• 2 tsp. Instant Coffee ( dissolved in hot water, then cooled)
• 1 tbsp. 2% reduced fat milk (room temperature)
• 10 tbsp. unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 3.5 cups of confectioners' sugar
• sprinkles(optional) 

Tips before you begin:

• If you're crunched for time, and the unsalted butter isn't at room temperature. Place the sticks of butter in a microwave-safe bowl for 5 seconds about 2-3 times until the butter is soft, but not melted.
• Place 2 teaspoons of instant coffee in a mug. You only need about a splash of boiling water into the mug, enough to fill 2 teaspoons. This liquid will be a concentrated coffee. 

Instructions for Frosting:

In a large mixing bowl with a fork, beat the butter, milk, concentrated coffee, and half of the confectioners' sugar until smooth. In sets of 1/2 cups, gradually add the rest of the confectioners' sugar to create a buttercream of a smooth consistency.


Costs:

• A small jar of instant coffee- $1.50
• a stick and a half of unsalted butter- $0.51 
• A box of confectioners' sugar- $0.87
• a small bottle of 2% milk- $1.00

Approximate Total Cost: $3 for frosting for 20 cupcakes.

Keep in mind that you probably have milk, butter, and coffee in your kitchen.



Good luck!
Amy