If you enjoy the Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha, these frappuccino cupcakes are a must-try. A sweet white chocolate frosting and chocolate drizzle transform the delicious coffee cupcakes into a coffee shop delight.
This cupcake recipe was originally published in August 2010. The photos and text were revised and republished in June 2025.
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Starbucks Cupcakes
I decided to start a cupcake challenge this summer just for fun! There are no pressures or rules, just me baking sweet treats that remind me of my favorite summer things.
The White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino from Starbucks inspired the creation of the first cupcake. Do you remember that drink?
I used to love having one on a hot day. It was creamy, chocolatey, and always hit the spot. Unfortunately, they discontinued it earlier this year, which makes me sad.
I did what any dessert-loving girl would do and turned it into a cupcake! This treat captures all the flavors I love from that drink. I even added a green straw because why not, right?
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It’s like sipping your favorite drink in cupcake form. This treat captures the flavor of the discontinued Starbucks drink we all miss.
- This treat is topped with white chocolate icing, a drizzle of chocolate, and a cute little green straw. Honestly, it's so adorable that you might hesitate to eat it!
- It's giving summer vibes. The light, sweet coffee flavor makes it just right for warm days.
Main Ingredients
- White Cake Mix: To make this recipe, you will need one boxed cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil. You can also use a yellow cake mix.
- Instant White Chocolate Pudding Mix: Adding dry pudding mix to the batter makes the moistest cupcakes. Make sure you purchase instant pudding!
- Starbucks Frappuccino Drink: These ready-made coffee drinks are an excellent substitute for water in the cake mix. You can also use strong, brewed coffee that has cooled.
- Instant Coffee Granules: I wanted a stronger coffee flavor, so I added instant coffee to the ready-made drink. You can also use an instant espresso powder.
- White Chocolate Frosting
How To Make Frappuccino Cupcakes
These fun and easy coffee cupcakes have all the flavors of your favorite coffee shop drink.
Make the batter. In a large mixing bowl, beat all the ingredients with an electric mixer until smooth and well combined. Use a spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl.
Fill the liners. Spoon the cake batter into 24 regular-sized cupcake liners.
Bake and cool. Place the cupcake pan into a preheated oven. Bake until the tops spring back and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. Cool on a wire rack.
Decorate and serve. Use a piping bag fitted with a large cupcake tip to add a swirl of white chocolate frosting to the top of each cupcake.
BruCrew Tip: Drizzle chocolate syrup on each cupcake and add green Starbucks straws right before serving. This gives them a fun whipped cream frappuccino look.
Storage Recommendations
In the Refrigerator - Store the frosted cupcakes in an airtight container in your fridge for 4-5 days.
In the Freezer - Wrap unfrosted cupcakes in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw before frosting and serving.
BruCrew Tips and Variations
- Do not overmix the batter. Beat it just until the ingredients are combined to avoid dense or tough cupcakes.
- Use an ice cream scoop to divide the batter evenly among the liners.
- Add mini chocolate chips to the batter before baking to make Java Chip Frappuccino cupcakes.
- Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting to prevent the icing from melting.
- Use a piping bag and a 1M large star tip to pipe big swirls of frosting on top of the cupcakes.
- Add a fun twist to your frappe cupcakes with coconut frosting, dark chocolate buttercream, or marshmallow buttercream.
FAQs
You can use milk or water as alternatives. If you want the flavor without caffeine, add coffee extract.
Yes, you can! A chocolate cake mix works great if you want a richer, more chocolatey flavor.
More Starbucks-Inspired Cupcakes
- S'mores Cupcakes
- Mocha Cookie Crumble Cupcakes
- Caramel Chocolate Cupcakes
- Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes
- Strawberries and Cream Cupcakes
- Eggnog Latte Cupcakes
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Recipe
White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino Cupcakes
If you enjoy the Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha, these frappuccino cupcakes are a must-try. A sweet white chocolate frosting and chocolate drizzle transform the delicious coffee cupcakes into a coffee shop delight.
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
- 1 white cake mix
- 1 - 3.4 ounce box instant white chocolate pudding mix
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup canola oil
- 1 cup Starbucks Frappuccino drink
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules
For the White Chocolate Frosting
- 6 ounces white baking chocolate (chopped up)
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Place 24 cupcake liners in pans.
- Add all the cake ingredients to a large bowl and beat on low for 1 minute. Increase the speed to medium and mix for an additional 2 minutes.
- Fill cupcake liners ⅔ full and bake 22 minutes. Cool completely.
- Stir white chocolate and whipping cream in a small saucepan on low heat until melted and smooth. Remove and let cool to room temperature.
- Place the cooled chocolate, butter, salt, sugar, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Mix on low until combined, then increase the speed to high and continue mixing until light and fluffy. (about 4-5 minutes)
- Spoon frosting into a piping bag fitted with a 1M icing tip and swirl on the cooled cupcakes. Drizzle with chocolate, if desired, before serving. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter. Beat it just until the ingredients are combined to avoid dense or tough cupcakes.
- Use an ice cream scoop to divide the batter evenly among the liners.
- Add mini chocolate chips to the batter before baking to make Java Chip Frappuccino cupcakes.
- Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting to prevent the icing from melting.
- Use a piping bag and a 1M large star tip to pipe big swirls of frosting on top of the cupcakes.
- Add a fun twist to your frappe cupcakes with coconut frosting, dark chocolate buttercream, or marshmallow buttercream.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 221Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 53mgSodium: 134mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 1gSugar: 11gProtein: 2g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
Madeleine Cogbill
Where do you find the International Mocha Latte drink mix?
Jocelyn
I believe I found it in the same aisle that you would find coffee. I hope you are able to find it or something similar.
Madeleine Cogbill
I found a mocha cappuccino drink mix, I'm wondering if that will work?
Jocelyn
That sounds like the one I used. It's ok if it's a different brand.
ebony
Is the drink mix supposed to be powdered because i have a liquid kind so would i still need the hot water
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yes, it is a powder that you dissolve in the 1 cup of hot water. If you have a liquid coffee, just substitute a cup of that for the water and instant coffee mix.
ebony
The cupcakes turned out great the only thing was that they were very sticky so do u think i should reduce the amount of coffee and if so how much
Olivia
Well makes sense now! HAHA I just made this with the liquid drink form, and they turned out okay, but I'm sure the flavoring would be stronger with the powder.
I'm new to baking, and how do you know when your icing is done? I think I'm over blending it... is that even possible?
Jocelyn
I'm glad the cupcakes turned out. The frosting should start to look like a Cool Whip consistency. This frosting is soft, but you should be able to pipe it onto the cupcakes. I always whip mine on high for 4-5 minutes.
ebony
where can I find the international delight mocha latte drink mix in stores?
Jocelyn Brubaker
I bought it at Walmart in the coffee aisle. I have seen it at Target and Meijer as well. Most grocery stores should have it too. If you can't find the white chocolate, any flavor of the International Delight would work.
Ebony
for the frosting are you using the whisk attachment or the paddle attachment to beat the chocolate with the butter and such ?
Jocelyn Brubaker
I have actually used both to make this frosting at different times. If you have the wire whisk attachment, that one would work great to really whip the frosting.
Cathy@LemonTreeDwelling
I love this delicious recipe, Jocelyn....and it's so fun with the little straws! Pinned!!
Krista
oops email correction
Jocelyn Brubaker
I am so glad to hear how much you liked the cupcakes. That frosting is soooo good!!!
Krista
Hello Jocelyn,
Thank you for the wonderful cupcake recipe! I did not have the mocha flavored coffee in the house so substituted French Vanilla Cappuccino.. delish! The frosting was the perfect compliment for the cakes! I made mini-cupcakes for a baby shower!
Thank you again!