21 EASY AND DELICIOUS COFFEE DESSERT RECIPES
Coffee is a delicious and inviting addition to desserts. Use coffee as the star of your plate, or the “secret sauce” to deepen and enhance other flavors, like chocolate. You can always count on coffee-flavored desserts to make a lively finale for dinner or brunch. Start by brewing your best cup of coffee or espresso and read on for some amazing and memorable coffee dessert inspiration.
HOW DO I USE COFFEE FOR DESSERT RECIPES?
The complex, bitter notes of coffee and the sweetness of dessert make this pair a dynamic duo. Using brewed coffee, espresso or ground coffee beans can help you make crave-worthy tiramisus, cakes, pies, frozen desserts, cookies, sweet coffee drinks and more. Whether you use this vibrant ingredient as the main focus of your dessert or as an ingredient to bring out other flavors in your dish, you’re sure to create some unforgettable results.
TIP: COFFEE BEAN ROASTS FOR COFFEE DESSERTS
If you’re grinding your own coffee beans for coffee dessert recipes, keep in mind that darker roasts stand up well to rich, dark chocolate ingredients and stronger flavors. If you’re preparing a dessert with a more delicate flavor profile, like a meringue, opt for lighter roasts for your brew.
DOES COFFEE COMPLEMENT DESSERTS LIKE PIE AND PASTRIES?
The deep, rich flavors of coffee play off the crisp, flaky, sweetness of pastries and pies in a delicate balance of flavor and texture. The strong, distinctive notes in coffee help cut through the sweetness in baked goods, delivering a complex and satisfying taste experience and a popular way to begin—or end—the day.
HOW DO I MAKE SWEET COFFEE FOR A DESSERT?
“Dressed up” coffee and espresso drinks, like lattes and mochas, are a popular way to combine coffee and dessert. Adding flavored syrups, like caramel, chocolate and peppermint—along with whipped cream, sprinkles and tuiles or chocolate curls—can transform an ordinary cup of coffee into a sweet dream of a dessert. Serve your drinks with assorted toppings for a festive, “make your own” coffee for dessert experience.
WHAT FRUIT GOES WELL WITH COFFEE-FLAVORED DESSERTS?
Fruit and coffee make a great pairing. As is true of other sweet foods, the sweetness of the fruits and the floral aromas and bitter notes of the coffee play well with each other. Fruits like berries and stone fruits are delicious with coffee-flavored desserts. To soften a strong coffee taste, the sweet flavor of bananas can help create balance.
COFFEE DESSERT IDEAS
Baking with coffee, using coffee in frozen treats, infusing frothy coffee drinks with delicious ingredients like lavender—there are so many interesting coffee-flavored desserts. Using your KitchenAid® coffee maker or KitchenAid® espresso machine can help you achieve just the right brew for a variety of desserts. Here are 21 stand-out ways to create desserts made with coffee:
MAKING COFFEE THE STAR OF THE DESSERT PLATE
1. KAHLUA COFFEE TIRAMISU
Make this cool, creamy no-bake classic the next time it’s your turn to bring dessert. After it has chilled in the fridge, garnish with chocolate curls for an elegant finishing touch.
2. COFFEE MOCHA CUPCAKES
Make the coffee concentrate for this recipe with your KitchenAid® Cold Brew Coffee Maker. The no-heat method will produce a smooth, mellow coffee, perfect for these cupcakes.
3. CHOCOLATE COFFEE ALMOND TORTE
Breadcrumbs create a crunchy base, while chocolate, coffee and finely ground almonds come together in the rich, creamy filling for this torte. Grind the almonds in your KitchenAid® food processor to help reduce prep time.
4. BLACK FOREST CAKE WITH COFFEE MASCARPONE WHIPPED CREAM
Brewed coffee deepens the flavor of this impressive chocolate cake. Espresso powder flavors the mascarpone whipped cream.
5. WAFFLEMISU CAKE
Make this twist on a classic tiramisu the star of your brunch buffet. Layers of espresso-soaked waffles and creamy goodness make this a don’t-miss dish.
6. DULCE DE LECHE CAPPUCCINO SHAVE ICE
This frozen treat comes together simply with espresso shots, a KitchenAid® stand mixer, KitchenAid® Shave Ice Attachment1 and a handful of tasty ingredients.
1. Sold separately
7. COFFEE PUDDING WITH SWEET CARAMEL WHIPPED CREAM
Strong brewed coffee makes this smooth, creamy pudding extra rich and flavorful.
8. MOCHA MOUSSE WITH ESPRESSO CAVIAR AND CHANTILLY WHIPPED CREAM
Homemade espresso caviar is the eye-catching grace note on this delicious mocha mousse. Whip the chantilly whipped cream easily in your KitchenAid® stand mixer.
9. ESPRESSO BUTTERCREAM
Move over chocolate, this espresso buttercream is about to become your “go-to” for your favorite cakes, cupcakes and brownies.
USING COFFEE TO ENHANCE DESSERTS
10. SWISS CHOCOLATE CAKE ROLL
Espresso deepens the flavor of this rich, chocolate cake that’s rolled in a sweet, fluffy marshmallow filling and finished with a dark chocolate glaze.
11. HAZELNUT LOVERS’ COOKIES
Hazelnuts are featured three ways—whole, crushed and hazelnut liqueur—all enhanced with espresso and chocolate in these delectable bites. Use your KitchenAid® K400 Variable Speed Blender to crush the nuts and make the dough.
12. DOUBLE CHOCOLATE BEETROOT CAKE
Pureed beets, chocolate and a little espresso create an intensely flavorful and moist cake. Use your KitchenAid® stand mixer to create a cake with a tender crumb and your KitchenAid® blender to mix up the beet purée for the filling.
13. CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
Strong coffee and bittersweet chocolate bring a mouthwatering depth of flavor to this creamy mousse.
14. CHOCOLATE CRINKLE COOKIES
Serve these deeply chocolatey, deeply delicious crisp cookies with a shot of espresso for an extra boost of caffeinated goodness.
COFFEE DESSERT DRINKS
15. WARM WINTER ESPRESSO COCKTAIL
Bring the warmth of the tropics to a cold winter night with this espresso drink that gets a boost from dark rum, cocoa and coconut milk.
16. HOMEMADE THAI ICED COFFEE
This refreshing iced coffee is made with a rich, dark roast and flavored with sweetened condensed milk for a cool treat.
17. IRISH COFFEE
It doesn’t have to be St. Patrick’s day to enjoy this coffee classic. Complete your drink with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and a sprig of mint for a fun upgrade. Use a KitchenAid® Burr Coffee Grinder to grind your own beans for optimal flavor and freshness.
18. DARK CHOCOLATE COCONUT ICED COFFEE
To keep this blissful drink extra chill, freeze everything, including the glass and serve with coffee ice cubes—or turn it into an adult beverage with a shot of rum.
19. C’MORES COFFEE
Drink this coffee and dessert mash-up in mason jars by the campfire for a caffeinated twist on a fan favorite.
20. CHOCOLATE AFFOGATO
Espresso poured over gelato and topped with nutty, chocolatey, sparkly, creamy confections. Delicious and festive.
21. COLD BREW COFFEE FLOATS
Make the cold brew for these effervescent treats a day ahead and the floats will come together easily for a great, crowd-pleasing dessert. Make the floats next level with homemade ice cream.
FIND KITCHENAID® COFFEE MAKERS FOR DESSERTS AND MORE
Discover all the tools you need to create showstopping coffee desserts with the KitchenAid® coffee and espresso collection. In addition to the latest in cold brew, drip coffee and espresso machines, find coffee grinders featuring 70 precise settings for a wide variety of grinds and milk frothers to finish espresso drinks with a flourish.
DISCOVER MORE COFFEE TIPS FROM KITCHENAID BRAND
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What Is Whipped Coffee and How to Make It Learn how to make whipped coffee with a recipe that takes you step by step through the process. You’ll achieve great results with simple whipped coffee ingredients. -
How to Make an Espresso Martini: Recipe & Tips Learn how to make an espresso martini at home. This espresso martini recipe includes ingredients and steps to create this popular cocktail. -
How to Make an Irish Coffee: Recipe & Tips Learn how to make one of the most famous Irish coffee drinks. Get tips on how to make an authentic Irish coffee to share with family and friends.
