Top 10 Delicious Coffee Desserts

Do you love coffee? Do you love desserts? Then you will love coffee-based desserts! For coffee enthusiasts, these sweet treats are dollops of joy to savour with passion!
 

What Makes Coffee a Great add-on in Desserts? 

Coffee is a great ingredient in desserts because it makes them taste better! It is true! Here are some aspects of coffee that make it a good dessert ingredient: 
 

Rich flavour:  

Coffee has a strong, bitter flavour. This goes well with other sweet flavours. The bitter and sweet blend makes desserts taste more complex and interesting. 
 

Aroma:  

Few things smell better than freshly brewed coffee! Add a dash of coffee to your dessert and elevate the aroma. Food that smells delicious, makes the eating experience soulful.
 

Contrast and balance:  

Coffee's bitterness balances out the sweetness of desserts. This prevents desserts from becoming too sweet.
 

Versatility:  

Coffee can be used in diverse desserts. Some such desserts are cakes, cookies, ice cream, mousses, custards, and so on. This makes it a very versatile ingredient.

 

Coffee Pairing:  

Coffee goes well with many other flavours, such as chocolate, caramel, vanilla, nuts, and spices. This makes it easy to create delicious desserts with coffee.
 

Elevation of sweetness:  

Coffee can make desserts taste sweeter! It is true! This is because of coffee's natural ability to make taste buds more sensitive to sweetness.
 

Adult appeal:  

Coffee-infused desserts often have an adult appeal. Coffee is not a children's drink, hence making a coffee dessert, an adult treat.

 

In addition to making desserts taste better, coffee can also be healthy. 
 

Prevents cell and tissue damage:  

Antioxidants in coffee help protect your body from damage. 

Cognitive function:  

Coffee can also help improve your brain function and alertness. 

 

How to add coffee to desserts 

There are many ways to add coffee to desserts. Here are some popular methods: 

Coffee-infused liquids:  

Brew a strong espresso and use it as a liquid ingredient in recipes. This will make your dessert taste like coffee.
    

Instant coffee or espresso powder:  

Dissolve instant coffee in a small amount of hot water. This concentrated coffee mixture will add a strong coffee flavour to your dessert.
 

Coffee extract:  

Coffee extract is a concentrated form of coffee flavour. You can add a few drops to your dessert to give it a distinct coffee taste.
 

Coffee syrup:  

Simmer brewed coffee with sugar to create a coffee syrup. You can drizzle this over your dessert to add moisture and a coffee-infused sweetness.
 

Coffee-flavoured liqueurs:  

A coffee liqueur combines alcohol and coffee. Add coffee liqueurs like Kahlua or Tia Maria to your dessert. These will give your dessert both, a coffee flavour and a hint of alcohol.
 

Coffee grounds or Espresso beans:  

Coarsely ground coffee and crushed espresso beans add a textural element to the dessert. Furthermore, they give an intense coffee taste. Sprinkle them on top of cakes, mix them into batters, or use them as a crust for pies or cheesecakes. Find out more about espresso here!
 

Coffee buttercream or frosting:  

Add coffee extract or espresso powder to cake frosting. Instant coffee powder will also work. This will give the frosting a coffee flavour.
 

What's more is that depending on your preference you can add coffee to your dessert. Adjust it as per the intensity of flavour you desire. It is always a good idea to start with a small amount and gradually increase if needed.  

Coffee Cautions 

Things to keep in mind when adding coffee to desserts:

Strength of coffee flavour:  

Coffee has a strong flavour, so you need to decide how strong you want the coffee flavour to be in your dessert. You can start by adding a small amount of coffee. Taste before adding more.  

Note that the coffee flavour will get stronger over time. It is better to start with a small amount and add as needed. 

Consistency and moisture: 

Coffee can make desserts moist, so you need to be careful not to make your dessert too wet. When you add liquid coffee ingredients, you may need to reduce the amount of other liquids in the recipe.
 

Sweetness balance:  

Coffee has a bitter taste, so it can affect the sweetness of your dessert. Coffee enhances the sweetness as well. Taste the mix before adding more sugar to your dessert to balance out the bitterness of the coffee

Flavour matching:   

Coffee goes well with chocolate, caramel, and spices. But it may not work well with all flavours. Make sure that the coffee flavour complements the other flavours in your dessert. 

Caffeine content:  

Coffee contains caffeine. If you are sensitive to caffeine or if you are serving the dessert to people who are sensitive to caffeine, beware. Using decaffeinated coffee will reduce the caffeine content. 

Texture and presentation:   

The way you add coffee to your dessert can affect the texture of the dessert. For example, if you add coffee grounds to your dessert, it will have a different texture than if you add coffee extract. You need to consider the texture of your dessert and how you want it to look when you are deciding how to add coffee

Adding on, remember to always follow the recipe instructions, especially if you are making it for the first time. Adjust gradually to get the desired result. Do not be afraid to experiment and taste your dessert as you go to make sure it is well-balanced and delicious. 

 

Coffee Ice cream Vs Coffee + A Scoop of Ice cream: Which works better? 

Coffee and coffee-flavoured ice cream are both delicious. The best choice for you depends on your personal preference and the flavour experience you want. 

Coffee and Ice cream 

First, you can combine coffee and ice cream to enjoy the contrast between the rich, bold flavour of the coffee and the creamy, sweet taste of the ice cream. You can sip the coffee and have a bite of ice cream separately, or you can dip a spoonful of ice cream into the coffee. 

 

Coffee-flavoured ice cream 

Picture credit: Times Food

Second, coffee-flavoured ice cream is specifically made to taste like coffee. It has a smooth and cold texture. Coffee-flavoured ice cream is a good choice if you want a concentrated coffee flavour. 
 

Which one is better? 

It depends on your personal preference. If you like the contrast between coffee and ice cream, you will like coffee and ice cream. If you want a concentrated coffee flavour, you will like coffee-flavoured ice cream. So… Try both!
 

But there are so many coffee-based desserts that you should try as well. Get fancy with our list! 

Top Ten Coffee Desserts

#1 Affogato 

Affogato is a delicious Italian dessert made with espresso and ice cream. The word name means "drowned."  

Begin by pouring a shot of hot espresso over a scoop of ice cream. The hot espresso "drowns" the ice cream. The combination of flavours and temperatures makes the affogato an experience to savour.  

Picture credit: The Kitchn

The classic version of this dessert uses vanilla ice cream, but you can use other flavours too. You can add toppings such as whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or a splash of liqueur. 

What's more, is that it is a simple but delicious dessert that is perfect for any occasion - easy to make and can be customised to your own taste.
 

#2 Tiramisu 

Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert whose name means "pick-me-up". The coffee in it gives the dessert an energising quality. 

Tiramisu is made by layering coffee-soaked sponge cookies with cream cheese. Moreover, a touch of wine or rum is also added. The generous sprinkling of cocoa powder on the top layer adds a hint of bitterness. You can make a Tiramisu cake or single-portion cups.  

Tiramisu tastes best when chilled. Chilling allows the flavours to meld together and the dessert to set.

#3 Espresso Brownies 

Espresso brownies are a delicious version of the classic brownie.  

It involves adding an espresso shot to the brownie mix. The amount of espresso you use depends on how much of a coffee flavour you want.  

Espresso brownies are dense and fudgy like any other brownie. Evidently, the espresso shot adds depth. Enjoy them plain or with toppings, such as powdered sugar or some chocolate cream. 

The combination of chocolate and coffee in the brownie makes a harmonious blend of flavours.
 

#4 Coffee Panna Cotta     

Coffee panna cotta is a delicious Italian dessert. It is a creamy and indulgent dessert with a slightly bitter taste from the coffee. First, you heat a mixture of cream, espresso, milk, sugar, and gelatin. Then, you pour the mixture into small serving moulds and chill it. The gelatin makes the panna cotta jelly-like.  

Furthermore, the creamy panna cotta base infused with aromatic coffee creates a delightful dessert. It is perfect for coffee lovers and dessert enthusiasts alike.
 

#5 Coffee Crème Brûlée 

Coffee Crème Brûlée is a coffee version of the classic French dessert.  

Combine coffee-infused cream, egg yolks and sugar in a bowl. Gently heat the mixture to make a smooth custard. You can use brewed coffee, espresso, or coffee extract. Adjust the quantity as per your taste.  

Following this once the custard sets, sprinkle a layer of sugar over the top. The sugar is then burnt using a kitchen torch to create a crisp and caramelised topping. 

The end result is a creamy, coffee custard contrasted by the crunchy, caramelised sugar!

#6 Coffee Tres Leches Cake 

Tres leches cake is a delicious dessert made with three types of milk: evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream. The cake is soaked in the milk mixture, which makes it incredibly moist and tender. 

To make coffee tres leches cake, you add a shot of espresso to the milk mixture. This gives the cake a rich coffee flavour. You then soak a soft sponge cake in the milk-coffee mixture. The cake is then topped with whipped cream or a coffee-flavoured frosting. 

Picture credit: Bake From Scratch

Enjoy the coffee tres leches cake chilled. It is a delicious and refreshing dessert that is perfect for any occasion.  

#7 Coffee Éclairs 

Coffee éclairs are a delicious French pastry. They have a crispy shell and a creamy coffee filling. 

First, you make the éclair shells from a delicate pastry dough. Then, you pipe the cream or custard filling into the shells. Finally, you pour a glossy coffee-flavoured glaze over the top. 

Coffee éclairs is a delightful treat with a cup of coffee or as an elegant dessert. The combination of the crisp shell, the creamy filling, and the sweet glaze is delicious.
 

#8 Coffee Toffee  

Coffee toffee is a delicious candy made from sugar, butter, and coffee. The sugar and butter are boiled together until they reach a specific temperature and develop a rich caramelised flavour. Then, coffee is infused into the toffee mixture.  

The toffee mixture is poured onto a baking sheet or into moulds to cool and harden. You then break it into smaller pieces.  

Picture credit: Real Simple

Coffee toffee can be eaten on its own as a candy. It serves as an ingredient in other desserts, such as topping for ice cream or as a mix-in for cookies or brownies.  

The buttery taste of toffee and the rich flavour of coffee combine delightfully in this treat. 

#9 Cappuccino Nice Cream 

Cappuccino nice cream is a tasty, healthy dessert. It is a great way to get your daily dose of coffee without any dairy or added sugar. 

To make cappuccino nice cream, blend frozen bananas, coffee, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and sweetener. Blend the mix until smooth. Pour the creamy dessert into a bowl. Add toppings, such as whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or nuts. Now just enjoy! 

Cappuccino nice cream is a great dessert for any occasion. It is also a fun and easy way to get creative with your toppings.

#10 Baked Coffee Cheesecake 

Lastly, the baked coffee cheesecake is as delicious as it gets!

First, you bake a graham cracker crust. Then, you mix cream cheese, sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and brewed coffee together. (Adding espresso increases the coffee flavour.) Pour the mixture into the crust and bake until it is set. Garnish it with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or coffee beans. And tada! A yum dessert is ready!

Picture credit: Confessions of a Baking Queen

Baked coffee cheesecake is perfect for any occasion. It is rich and creamy, and heaven on a plate!

 

Coffee is a delicious and versatile ingredient that adds flavour to many desserts. In this blog, we explored a few ways to use coffee in desserts. From the humble coffee ice cream to the complex coffee tres leches cake, the choices are many. There is a coffee-based dessert for everyone to enjoy. We hope you find yours!