I would like some opinions from you fellow bakers. Has anyone made mocha cupcakes? If so what kind of frosting did you use? I was thinking of putting a nice light caramel type frosting. Something that would give the effect of caramel topped coffee. Thanks!

This is my personal favorite for mocha cupcakes http://www.bakespace.com/recipes/detail/(Red-Velvet)-Ermine-Frosting-(Butter-Roux-or-Boiled-milk-Frosting)/13589/ . I've also used hazelnut to good reviews but I think your idea of caramel is sounds great!

I have made a mocha flavored buttercream by using Chocolate Crusting Buttercream and adding some instant coffee that has been diluted. I use about 1 tsp of instant coffee to about 2 tablespoons of water and then slowly add it to the buttercream to get a light mocha/coffee/chocolate flavor. 

Hope this helps. 

I love this recipe for mocha cupcakes with espresso buttercream frosting from the Brown Eyed Baker's website

http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2010/08/13/mocha-cupcakes-with-espresso-buttercream-frosting/

AI added coffee extract to a vanilla buttercream and my friends would not stop talking about it, their favorite test batch yet.