An Edible Mosaic™

Everyday Fare With Extraordinary Flair

Spiced Coffee Cupcakes

by Faith 37 Comments

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Turkish coffee is very finely ground coffee that’s brewed in a special pot (traditionally a copper pot with a narrow neck) called an ibrik or cezve.  The finely ground coffee is typically spiced with cardamom before brewing, which gives it a very unique flavor.  Sugar can be added to the coffee (depending on personal preference) but milk is never added.  Once the coffee is brewed it’s poured into small cups called fincans, which are similar to espresso or demitasse cups; the dregs settle to the bottom and are left in the cup when the coffee is drunk.  Turkish coffee is almost magical…it’s smooth and velvety and the different flavor notes of the coffee really come through.  (I won’t say anything else about Turkish coffee…it’s actually fabulous enough to warrant its own post!)

img_4741-smallWhat does Turkish coffee have to do with these cupcakes?  One Sunday morning Mike and I were drinking Turkish coffee and I was wishing for a little something sweet to go with my coffee, and these cute little cupcakes were born.  The flavors in these cupcakes echo the flavors in Turkish coffee, but they would pair well with any kind of coffee.

img_4729-smallI originally wanted to make caramel buttercream to frost these little beauties.  I attempted making Martha Stewart’s recipe for caramel buttercream but it just wasn’t meant to be; somewhere along the way I really massacred the recipe.  When I started to whip the caramel into the buttercream, the caramel hardened right onto the paddle of my mixer…it was not a pretty sight to say the least.  It turned out okay in the end though because these cupcakes are moist enough that they don’t need any frosting.

 

Flavor of Cardamom:  Cardamom has a very complex flavor and strong aroma; the best way I can describe it is that it’s floral and a little sweet with notes of pepper and lemon.

img_4889-smallSpiced Coffee Cupcakes

 

(Yield:  12 cupcakes)

 

1 c white sugar

1 TB molasses

1/2 c canola oil

2 large eggs

1/2 c milk

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 TB good quality Turkish-ground coffee

1 1/3 c flour (all-purpose or whole wheat)

1 1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground allspice

1/8 tsp ground cardamom

Cooking spray

Powdered sugar (optional, to dust the tops)

 

Cupcake baking tray

12 cupcake liners (if using)

 

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Line a cupcake baking tray with 12 liners and lightly spray the inside of each liner with cooking spray.  Beat together the sugar, molasses, oil, eggs, milk, vanilla, and coffee.  In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, allspice, and cardamom.  Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet, stirring just enough to combine.  Transfer the batter to the prepared baking tray and bake for about 16-19 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a crumb or two.  Dust the tops with powdered sugar if using.

img_4894-small

Turkish Ground Coffee
Turkish Ground Coffee
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  2. Karyn Bernard (French Charming) says

    January 19, 2010 at 6:51 pm

    Hello my dear sweet friend! I can’t wait to try this, I love my coffee and the richer the better, this recipe sounds amazing and the perfect compliment to a rich cup of coffee!

    Your photos are fabulous as always. I hope things are going well for you my friend! Please drop me a line when you can and let me know how things are going for you.

    Love and big hugs,
    Karyn

    Reply

  3. coco says

    January 19, 2010 at 7:12 pm

    these are sooo lovely! I really want to try these spiced muffins…sound like a great companion to a coffee! perfect snack for a cold day :D

    Reply

  4. marla {Family Fresh Cooking} says

    January 19, 2010 at 7:38 pm

    These photos are awesome!! Your photography is getting more fab by the day. Did u submit these to Tastespotting, I hope so. I love Cardamom, such a complex & elegant spice. Love the powdered sugar hearts you added…..more interesting than the caramel frosting :) Can I come over for Turkish Coffee now….love that stuff.

    Reply

  6. sophia says

    January 19, 2010 at 8:15 pm

    mmm….I love how you stenciled that heart in…so sweet! But quite a shot with the coffeee…Wouldn’t I love this to jolt me up in the morningS!

    Reply

  12. Joanne says

    January 20, 2010 at 4:55 am

    I love the new blog chica! Looks fantastic.

    As do these cupcakes. Cardamom is one of my favorite things to put in baked goods. It is one of those secret ingredients that, when you eat it the first time, you’re not quite sure why you like it so much or why it’s so intriguing. Thanks for the lesson on Turkish coffee! I need to try it.

    Reply

  13. grace says

    January 20, 2010 at 6:35 am

    i really enjoy cardamom (although not nearly as much as i enjoy cinnamon), and these little cakelets sound delicious! oh, and i LOVE the stenciled hearts–so cute. note to self: try turkish coffee!

    Reply

  15. Chiara says

    January 20, 2010 at 8:04 am

    Those are so cute… They wouldn’t have been as cute with the frosting on them! They also sound really delicious. I’ll have to find some turkish coffee and try them, although it might prove difficult in this town!

    Reply

  16. chaya says

    January 20, 2010 at 8:18 am

    Thanks for linking this at my new feature, Meatless Mondays. This is unique and I can only imagine how it tastes. Coffee flavoring is delicious.

    Reply

  17. theUngourmet says

    January 20, 2010 at 10:12 am

    Oh my gosh! I can’t believe it! Turkish coffee! I was all set to make some of this today but then I remembered that I used up all of my cardamom on my last recipe. Darn! I had to just drink regular old coffee for today.

    Your cupcakes are adorable! I love the sweet hearts on top. :)

    Reply

  26. Natalie says

    January 20, 2010 at 11:02 pm

    I dont think you massacred the Martha Stewart recipe, it saddens me to say I have had more disappointments than winners when it comes to her recipes. But this cupcake recipe sounds fantastic.

    I actually drink turkish coffee from time to time and if these cupcakes are anywhere near as satisfying, then I’m in!

    Reply

  30. ingrid says

    January 21, 2010 at 1:08 pm

    Your cupcakes look so pretty with their powdered sugar hearts. I never think of those small touches that make the dessert extra special.

    I love cardamom and have only just been using it this past year.
    ~ingrid

    Reply

    • admin says

      January 21, 2010 at 5:19 pm

      Mollie, Any kind of super finely ground coffee should work (sometimes you can find “Turkish ground” coffee, which isn’t a special bean, just ultra finely ground coffee). I think butterscotch frosting would be FANTASTIC on these cupcakes! ;) If you make them, let me know how you like them!

      Reply

  33. Veronica M. says

    January 22, 2010 at 7:21 pm

    I’ve never had Turkish coffee! These cupcakes are so creative. It sounds like you added hot caramel to the butter. I have a caramel frosting recipe that I love:

    Caramel Buttercream
    1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
    2 T dulce de leche, room temperature
    2 c powdered sugar
    1/4 c caramel sauce, room temperature

    Beat the butter, then mix in the dulce de leche until smooth. Beat in the caramel sauce and then the powdered sugar.

    You can find instructions for making your own caramel sauce here if you need to: http://reciperhapsody.wordpress.com/2010/01/16/rich-chocolate-caramel-cake/

    Reply

  35. Michael Cavinta says

    February 25, 2010 at 12:21 am

    I simply love this recipe! It contains two of my favorites of all time, coffee and cupcakes! In the past, I have troubles in making cupcakes because I always end up with the wrong recipe. But upon trying you recipe, it was simply perfect. It also tastes really well if paired with a glass of iced coffee Great post! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

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I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to email me with questions or comments.

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