If you prefer a single-layer cake to cupcakes, use a 9-inch square baking pan or round cake pan. Bake the cake at 350º for 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.
INGREDIENTS
Cupcakes:
2 tablespoons boiling water
4 teaspoons instant espresso granules or 8 teaspoons instant coffee granules
1/3 cup low-fat buttermilk
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup granulated sugar
5 tablespoons butter, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs
Espresso syrup:
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons instant espresso granules or1/4 cup instant coffee granules
2 tablespoons light-colored corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350°.
Yield: 1 dozen (serving size: 1 cupcake)
NUTRITION PER SERVING
CALORIES 192(27% from fat); FAT 5.8g (sat 3.3g,mono 1.8g,poly 0.4g); PROTEIN 3g; CHOLESTEROL 49mg; CALCIUM 19mg; SODIUM 173mg; FIBER 0.4g; IRON 0.9mg; CARBOHYDRATE 31.8g
Cooking Light, DECEMBER 2002
To prepare cupcakes, combine 2 tablespoons boiling water and 4 teaspoons espresso, stirring until espresso dissolves. Stir in buttermilk.
Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt, stirring well with a whisk.
Place 3/4 cup granulated sugar, butter, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended (about 5 minutes). Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture and buttermilk mixture alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
Spoon batter into 12 muffin cups lined with paper liners. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cupcakes in pan 10 minutes on a wire rack; remove from pan.
To prepare syrup, combine 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup water, 2 tablespoons espresso, corn syrup, and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 3 minutes. Pierce the cupcake tops several times with a wooden skewer. Brush espresso syrup evenly over the cupcakes. Cool completely on wire rack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
