22 Coffee and Espresso-Flavored Dessert Recipes Sure to Perk You Up

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.

Strong brewed coffee is used in both the cake batter and in the whipped cream topping in this stunning dessert recipe.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Inspired by everyone's favorite autumnal beverage, this cake recipe is made with pumpkin purée, pumpkin-pie spice, and instant espresso powder.

Kahlua, a coffee-flavored liqueur, and instant espresso powder are mixed into the chocolate mousse filling for this fabulous coffee dessert recipe.

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.

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.

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.

Instant espresso powder, unsweetened cocoa powder, and cocoa nibs all star in the dough for these indulgent cookies.

Two tablespoons of high-quality ground coffee and heavy cream steep together to create an aromatic base for these irresistible chocolate truffles.

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.

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.

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.

Inspired by the traditional French chocolate dessert, this recipe is accented with instant espresso powder, which enhances the rich, fudgy flavor of semisweet chocolate.

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.

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.

Making this French-inspired dessert can certainly be a feat, but we simplified the process using store-bought puff pastry and espresso pastry cream.