22 Coffee and Espresso-Flavored Dessert Recipes Sure to Perk You Up
This strong ingredient plays a key role in delicious baked goods.
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If it's too late in the day to pour another cup of joe, why not take a bite out of a delicious coffee- or espresso-flavored dessert instead? They may not have the energizing effects of your favorite hot beverage, but these buzzy desserts, including the Flourless Chocolate Espresso Cake that's pictured here, deliver all the flavor you know and love and then some. All of the recipes in the slides ahead call for hot brewed coffee or espresso, instant espresso powder, ground coffee, and coffee beans, so be sure to stock up on these essentials before baking.
Tiramisu is one of the most classic examples of a coffee dessert. This Italian treat features layers of ladyfingers dipped in hot espresso and a creamy mascarpone cheese filling. It's topped with a dusting of cocoa powder and is best enjoyed with a shot (or two) of espresso, of course. We've also flavored timeless treats like cream puffs, ice cream, crème brûlée, pot de crème, and even shortbread with coffee or espresso. Our mocha desserts, which pair chocolate with coffee, are decadent and irresistible. Coffee and chocolate is a natural pairing—the robust bitter, dark, and sometimes fruity flavor of coffee enhances sweet, rich chocolate in so many recipes. However, coffee doesn't just pair well with chocolate. It's also fantastic when combined with spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. We even married the two to create a spectacular Christmas cookie recipe (but feel free to enjoy it all year long).
A dessert that is always elegant is the French macaron. We've created an espresso-flavored version that is flavorful and snackable, featuring an espresso-infused Swiss meringue buttercream filling.
Next time you have a craving for caffeine, try these innovative coffee and espresso dessert recipes.
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Coffee Crème Caramel
Inspired by flan, the creamy Spanish dessert, this recipe features one tablespoon of espresso or strongly brewed coffee, which adds a flowery, slightly smoky flavor to the custard.
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Coffee Feather Cake
Strong brewed coffee is used in both the cake batter and in the whipped cream topping in this stunning dessert recipe.
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Mile-High Triple-Chocolate-Espresso Mousse Pie
There's a reason why coffee and chocolate go together like milk and cookies—the two flavors enhance and complement each other. In this light-as-air pie, an espresso-flavored whipped cream topping is a lovely foil to rich chocolate mousse.
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Easy Tiramisu
Tiramisu is one of the most classic examples of a coffee-flavored dessert. Ladyfingers are soaked in the coffee, layered with creamy mascarpone cheese, and then topped with cocoa powder.
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Coffee-Caramel Swiss Roll
This version of a bûche de noël is a labor of love but well worth the effort. Cake flour and whipped egg whites keep the cake batter super light and fluffy, and then an espresso-based syrup is brushed on top to infuse it with coffee flavor.
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Gingerbread-Espresso Crinkle Cookies
Gingerbread cookies may not strike you as a natural pairing for espresso, but it's a totally genius combination. The strong coffee powder complements the intense spiced flavor from cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
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Vegan Chocolate Cake
If the four tablespoons of espresso powder in the cake batter aren't enough for you, then how about another teaspoon in the icing? It brings out the fudgy, chocolatey flavor in this dairy-free recipe.
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Pumpkin-Spice-Latte Cake
Inspired by everyone's favorite autumnal beverage, this cake recipe is made with pumpkin purée, pumpkin-pie spice, and instant espresso powder.
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Chocolate-Espresso Kahlua Tart
Kahlua, a coffee-flavored liqueur, and instant espresso powder are mixed into the chocolate mousse filling for this fabulous coffee dessert recipe.
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Espresso Budini
Espresso powder and brewed espresso are incorporated into the chocolate custard to intensify the flavor in this Italian pudding that is served in adorable individual portions.
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Coffee-Filled Cream Puffs with Chocolate Glaze
Freshly brewed espresso is whipped into the pastry cream filling for these rich cream puffs. It's a perky take on an old-fashioned dessert.
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Molten Chocolate-Espresso Cakes
Molten chocolate lava cakes are a romantic, spectacular dessert that we'll never get tired of. We upgraded this version by adding instant espresso powder to the batter for an even more intense chocolate flavor.
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Mocha Shortbread
Instant espresso powder, unsweetened cocoa powder, and cocoa nibs all star in the dough for these indulgent cookies.
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Mocha Truffles
Two tablespoons of high-quality ground coffee and heavy cream steep together to create an aromatic base for these irresistible chocolate truffles.
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Espresso Macarons
Espresso powder shines in three different ways in this French dessert recipe—it's added to both the macaron cookie and the Swiss Meringue buttercream filling, then dusted on top of the finished cookies.
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Chocolate-Coconut Sheet Cake
Three-quarters of a cup of warm brewed espresso is mixed into the chocolate cake batter for this crowd-friendly dessert. If that's not enough, there's also coffee in the sweet chocolate frosting on top.
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Coffee Meringue-Ice Cream Cake
Coffee lovers, this treat features a unique combination of liquid coffee extract and high-quality roasted coffee beans, which are incorporated into the pillowy meringue discs.
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Mocha Pots de Crème
Inspired by the traditional French chocolate dessert, this recipe is accented with instant espresso powder, which enhances the rich, fudgy flavor of semisweet chocolate.
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No-Bake Espresso Crème Brûlée
This easy, no-bake recipe skips the usual water bath required for crème brûlée. Deep espresso flavor comes from instant espresso powder, while an unexpected ingredient (white chocolate), adds a rich sweetness.
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Blum's Coffee Crunch Cake
The irony of most coffee cake recipes is that they don't feature any coffee. Not this eye-catching version, though. Over a light, fluffy cake is a decadent coffee frosting and a delicious coffee crunch that brings both texture and subtle smoky flavor.
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Coffee Napoleon
Making this French-inspired dessert can certainly be a feat, but we simplified the process using store-bought puff pastry and espresso pastry cream.