The combination of rich flavor, robust aroma, and the stimulating effects of caffeine have made coffee a beloved beverage around the world. As an ingredient, it’s a tasty and appealing complement to sweets of all kinds.
In coffee-flavored desserts, the rich, bitter aromas of coffee enhance the sweetness of many desserts, creating a powerful and compelling pairing. It especially deepens the rich flavor of cacao in chocolate and coffee desserts.
This collection of espresso desserts includes dozens of recipes to suit a variety of tastes - it's more than tiramisu and affogatos here. Begin by preparing your favorite cup of coffee or espresso, then read on for some incredible and unforgettable desserts flavored with coffee.
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🍪 Delicious Coffee Cookie Recipes
Nibby Coffee Cookies
Many years ago I combined two of my favorite desserts and created these lovely nibby coffee cookies. Soft, chewy cookies with balanced sweetness from the bitter yet aromatic coffee, while toasted cacao nibs add a texture and flavor element.
I made it a point to use milk chocolate chips rather than semisweet or dark chocolate, because the milk in the chips actually caramelizes during the baking process, adding another layer of flavor. But feel free to use any chocolate that you have on hand, even ruby chocolate or blonde chocolate.
This recipe is exactly how I take my coffee - creamy yet bittersweet with hints of complexity. For other creations in my coffee rotation, check out my olive oil coffee and collection of salted coffee recipes.
Lavender Lemon Latte Cookies
If you haven’t heard, lavender is having a moment, so it's the perfect seaosn to make these lavender lemon latte cookies. Before you scroll past this recipe, hear me out - soft, chocolate-coffee cookies, chunks of chopped white chocolate, and freshly grated lemon zest, slathered in lavender, honey, and dark chocolate ganache.
Yup, this coffee dessert recipe is exactly as you guessed, a balanced lavender latte, in cookie form. Using fragrant purple herbs combined with aromatic coffee, this is milk and chocolate perfection.
Crispy Coffee Cookies
Enjoy tea time with these delightful crispy coffee cookies. These coffee cookies offer a distinct flavor that combines the rich, bitter taste of coffee with the sweetness of a sugar cookie.
Additionally, the crispy texture of this cookie offers a satisfying crunch with each and every bite. Coffee lovers rejoice!
Triple Coffee Cookies
Amp up your cookie game with these delicious and easy to make triple coffee cookies. These delectable coffee cookies are thick, and supercharged with coffee flavor.
It includes coffee in three forms - espresso powder, coffee liqueur, and crushed chocolate-covered espresso beans. Yes, all three! They're THE coffee lover's cookie of choice.
Sourdough Coffee Cookies with Mascarpone Filling
If you're looking for a creative way of using your excess sourdough starter, these coffee cookies are perfect for you. They're super soft and chewy sandwich sourdough coffee cookies with a rich, creamy mascarpone filling.
The flavor is comparable to that of tiramisu, but in a more convenient cookie form. Boasting of an amazing tang, these cookies are also super tender thanks to the sourdough; they simply melt in your mouth.
🍰 Divine Coffee Cakes
Coffee Cheesecake
Whether you're an avid coffee drinker or simply looking to enjoy a delicious dessert, coffee cheesecake is sure to become your new favorite indulgence. With the rich, aromatic fragrance of coffee infused in the cheesecake filling, and a not-too-sweet butter oreo cookie crust, this coffee dessert is sure to impress.
The cheesecake also boasts of an ultra creamy and velvety texture, rich enough to indulge in just a thin slice each night. All in all it’s a captivating aromatic dessert that’s velvety and sweet.
Tiramisu Pound Cake
A tiramisu pound cake had to make it onto our coffee dessert roundup. This isn't your typical classic Italian dessert, either; it's way easier to make but just as or even more delicious.
Just portion basic pound cake into single-serving squares, then pour on coffee-flavored syrup to pack in the rich coffee aromas and keep the cake moist. Beautify your creation with mascarpone cream and a dusting of cocoa powder.
Mocha Mug Cake with Dalgona Frosting
This mocha mug cake with Dalgona frosting is a power-packed dessert fit for indulging. A classic moist chocolate and coffee cake, topped with a whipped dollop of classic Dalgona candy frosting, then garnished with a dusting of cocoa powder and a piece of milk chocolate.
If you love Dalgona, you can even swap out the classic version for matcha Dalgona, and play around with the garnish by using java chips instead. This chocolate coffee dessert recipe is perfect for breakfast or as a dessert for two!
Coffee Angel Food Cake
If you want a simple way to enjoy the flavor of coffee in your dessert, this angel food cake recipe is for you. It's perfectly airy, like eating a coffee-flavored cloud.
Coffee angel food cake is every bit as light as you would expect, with just the right amount of coffee flavor baked in and topped with a luscious mocha ermine frosting. Plus, you won't have to slave away in the kitchen with this recipe, because all you need is a boxed-cake mix. It's easy to throw together, but still tastes amazing with just a few tweaks.
Dairy-Free Tiramisu
It’s pretty hard to beat a classic tiramisu, with its layers of creamy mascarpone filling, coffee-dipped ladyfingers, and shaved cacao topping. This dairy-free tiramisu tastes exactly like the classic version, swapping coconut cream in place of the traditional mascarpone!
Use dairy-free chocolate for the shavings on top, and even make it gluten-free by using gf ladyfingers. This recipe requires just 8 ingredients, with absolutely no baking. Make it ahead of time for easy entertaining at any time of year.
Kahlua Toffee Cheesecake
There's nothing better for an indulgent dinner party than this Kahlua toffee cheesecake with turbinado caramel. To put it simply - it's creamy, liquored-up sweet heaven, much like my homemade Kahlua butter.
Velvety cheesecake is topped with heavenly caramel, finished off with toffee candy, and a yummy Kahlua whipped cream. Absolutely luxurious and slightly naughty, this is the cheesecake foodie dreams are made of.
Dirty Chai Tiramisu
Taking a classic tiramisu and putting a spin on it is what these coffee desserts are all about. Chai spices mingle with the bold flavors of espresso-soaked ladyfingers, all layered between lusciously light layers of creamy mascarpone.
Make this dirty chai tiramisu for an easy, make ahead dessert for any time of year. If you can whip egg whites, you can make this impressive recipe - no oven required for the perfect winter to spring dessert.
Opera Cake
This scrumptious classic Opera cake is absolutely packed with punchy coffee flavor, sure to be your new favorite treat! Making a classic Opera cake isn't that complicated, although it requires a few more steps than your usual cake recipe.
It's composed of 7 layers, including Joconde sponge, coffee flavored French buttercream, coffee syrup, melted chocolate, and a classic opera glaze. This fancy dessert is definitely worth the extra steps, however - just look at all those beautiful layers, textures, and contrasting colors.
Coffee Chocolate Cake
Consider indulging in this easy-to-make espresso-laced chocolate cake with coffee buttercream. Packed with coffee flavor, this is a rich chocolate espresso cake with espresso buttercream and coffee chocolate syrup drizzled on each layer and on top.
It also boasts of a rich chocolate flavor for all the chocolate lovers out there. Perfectly dense yet fluffy, with a super moist and tender cake, you can elevate the elegance by topping each slice with my easy 2-ingredient chocolate truffles or your favorite chocolate bonbons.
Vegan Coffee Cake
Coffee cake typically doesn’t have any actual coffee in it, but is called such because it’s the perfect accompaniment to your morning coffee or perhaps a cup of cacao tea! But this vegan coffee cake recipe is made with instant coffee powder, which adds a nice rich aroma to it.
Delicate, creamy, fluffy “coffee” cake is made with simple pantry items that are healthy and natural. It’s easy to make ahead and then keep in the freezer to save for a rainy day. Indulge in this soft, moist vanilla sponge cake that’s topped with a sugar-free cinnamon walnut streusel.
Coffee Walnut Loaf
Fall in love with this fluffy and divine coffee walnut cake. Using both coffee and coffee liqueur, this coffee loaf cake is topped with a rich coffee glaze to pack in the flavors and aromas.
Walnuts are also folded into the batter and used to top the loaf. The light and moist espresso cake is super quick and easy to make in one bowl, and will stay fresh for a few days! Enjoy this coffee dessert that’s perfect for breakfast with a warm cup of java.
Mocha Fudge Cake
Chocolate + coffee is one of the best combinations, and this recipe nails it. Loaded with coffee and chocolate flavor, this mocha fudge cake is totally easy to make.
This coffee-flavored cake is both beautiful and delicious. Your friends and family will really feel the love when it's served - and this isn’t just a dessert for Easter; it’s great at any time of year.
🍮 Unique Coffee-Laced Desserts
Irish Coffee Mousse with Caramel Sauce
This delicious coffee dessert recipe is the perfect treat to close out a dinner party. With a super light and fluffy mousse topped with caramel sauce, it’s an easy make-ahead dessert to pull out of the fridge.
Espresso powder and caramel sauce create a creamy dreamy dessert that’s spiked with Irish whiskey. The whipped cream also topping contains Irish cream for the ultimate indulgence.
Mocha Chia Pudding
Enjoy a caffeinated kick in the morning with this mocha chia pudding. This coffee dessert is supremely divine, despite being light in calories, so it really classifies as a dessert.
It’s made solely with real and whole food ingredients, including organic fairtrade cacao, and a popular alternative sweetener for coffee - honey. This simple yet tasty paleo pudding is a nutritious treat worth getting out of bed for.
Espresso Panna Cotta
If you're searching for a dessert that's robust, silky, elegant, and really simple, you must try this espresso coffee panna cotta. This no-bake panna cotta is made with espresso for a deliciously easy custard-like treat that's elegant.
Whether you enjoy coffee or are simply looking for something sweet, this dessert is sure to satisfy. Serve it on its own, or top with chocolate chips or your favorite chocolate chips substitute + whipped cream for something truly special.
Coffee Nanaimo Bars
If you’re a fan of nanaimo bars, you’ll love these coffee nanaimo bars. They’re a caffeinated twist on the famous no-bake Canadian treats.
You get the silky chocolate top and the coconut graham cracker crust but with coffee-flavored custard icing instead. The base is a decadent nut simple combination that has you melt chocolate chips, butter, graham crackers and dessicated coconut. All the flavors combined make this popular treat an instant hit.
Coffee Jelly
This roundup wouldn’t be complete without a coffee dessert beverage, and hands down it should be none other than coffee jelly. Coffee jelly may sound unusual, but it's a unique way to enjoy coffee in a different form.
Basically just boil your favorite coffee with agar agar, and leave it to set. Then enjoy it with condensed milk, homemade whipped cream, or ice cream. This coffee jelly dessert is easy to make and will soon be your fave quick-to-whip up dessert!
Coffee Flan
For a next-level show-stopping dessert, make this coffee flan topped with Dalgona coffee cream. With only a few ingredients needed, you get a very strong coffee flavor with the silky richness of an egg custard.
The sweetness is balanced out by the aromatic bitterness of the coffee. Each bite will be a delightful experience of texture and flavor. This exquisite, silky, creamy dessert will captivate your heart.
Hopjesvla (Dutch Coffee Custard)
Turn to a hopjesvla when you want to treat yourself to something genuinely unique. This famous Dutch coffee custard is ultra creamy and one of the easiest desserts to make.
Only requiring 4 ingredients, it’s a tasty coffee dessert with wonderful coffee aromas. Make sure the coffee you use is strong enough to produce the correct flavor (I highly recommend espresso). You can top it with whipped cream and muesli or even shavings of raw chocolate. Serve chilled as a snack or dessert.
Coffee Vanilla Poached Pears
I’ve always enjoyed poached pears - it may seem simple but the dish oozes elegance and boasts of amazing flavors. Discover bold coffee aromas from the pears poached in a syrup, perfectly complemented by vanilla notes.
This gluten-free and vegan twist on the French classic is a light yet chic way to end a meal. Especially when you’re entertaining in true French fashion, with coffee ta the end of the meal!
Coconut Mocha Pie with Dalgona Topping
Looking for a unique coffee dessert? While coffee, coconut and chocolate aren’t normally used in one sentence, let alone in a recipe, I assure you it works very well in this dessert.
This chocolate coconut pie features a toasted coconut pastry crust filled with dark chocolate custard and topped with Dalgona coffee mixed with whipped coconut cream. The flaky crust and the rich, sweet custard with the foamy, creamy, sweet-and-strong toppings is absolutely delicious. It's toasted coconut meets mochaccino!
Spiked Chocolate Coconut Custard
Another chocolate, coconut and coffee dessert makes it to our round up. So again, let me reiterate - don’t knock it until you've tried making this recipe. These chocolate coconut custards boast velvety smoothness with only the finest craft dark chocolate and coffee flavors.
Spiked with espresso and rum, the coconut taste is barely noticeable in this dairy-free dessert. Highlighting rich cacao with aromatic coffee, this creamy, airy custard, will leave you craving more.
A true custard needs a few hours to set up firmly, so be patient. Velvety, rich, and delectable, they're a fancy dessert that's sure to impress.
🍩 Coffee-Laced Baked Sweets
Brownie Chocolate Chip Coffee Muffins
These brownie chocolate chip muffins are the ultimate dessert for breakfast. Muffins are, after all, essentially cupcakes designed for breakfast. They're rich and fudgy, semi-guilt-free brownies turned muffins dotted with chocolate chips.
These treats are gently sweet but intensely chocolatey, with rich cacao from dark chocolate, and somewhat guilt-free thanks to the applesauce and oatmeal in the batter. They're pleasingly dense, much like brownies, with flecks of chocolate and oatmeal creating a hearty texture.
You also get coffee and vanilla notes, which work well with the easy box brownie mix upgrades, making for a delicious tribute to over-sized bakery-style muffins.
Coffee Cupcakes
Need a sugar and caffeine fix combined? Fluffy coffee-infused sponge topped with silky smooth coffee buttercream is the perfect answer.
The espresso powder in the base packs a flavor punch that comes through better after the batter has been baked. The Russian coffee buttercream is the most delicious, silky smooth, sweet, but not-too-sweet frosting. One go at this recipe and you'll surely be hooked.
Sufganiyot With Cardamom Coffee Cream
If you can't resist the siren call of coffee but your body can't take it, have one of these gluten-free sufganiyot, a dessert with cardamom coffee cream, instead. Rich coffee notes pair well with gently sweetened cream that's piped into freshly fried Jewish donuts.
The result is a decadent affair with cream, coffee, and a gentle dusting of icing sugar. Whoever thought of putting cardamom and coffee together is a genius. Absolutely delicious!
Espresso Cupcakes
Savor these chocolate cupcakes finished with an espresso cream cheese icing, all topped with delicately-centered chocolate-covered espresso beans. One bite into the espresso-laced cupcakes and you'll bask in a blend of rich chocolate cake and aromatic coffee flavor.
The espresso cream cheese icing provides a smooth, creamy finish, making this the finest cupcake ever! These adult cupcakes are the ideal combination of texture and sweetness. Rich, strong espresso essence fills the cupcakes with a deep, nuanced flavor that perfectly complements the chocolate cake's sweetness.
🍦 Frozen Coffee-Flavored Sweet Treats
Espresso Kahlua Ice Cream
This is the espresso Kahlua ice cream for all you coffee lovers out there. Creamy ice cream with aromatic coffee notes is spiked with Kahlua for full flavor; the liqueur also prevents the ice cream from freezing into a solid impenetrable block.
Finally, there's dark chocolate swirled into the velvety mix for some cacao goodness. Ultra rich, creamy and smooth espresso ice cream that's to-die-for.
Dublin Mudslide Ice Cream
This copycat Ben & Jerry’s Dublin mudslide ice cream is absolutely delicious and sooo easy to make. It's an Irish cream and coffee flavored ice cream with a dark chocolate ganache swirl, just like the discontinued ice cream flavor, but even better because it's homemade.
This no-churn ice cream recipe will soon become a regular recipe in your rotation. Fair warning, this dessert is boozy.
Coffee Crunch Creamsicles
These coffee crunch creamsicles are a quick and easy paleta recipe, reminiscent of a frappuccino. It's an ultra-creamy frozen dessert boasting of rich coffee flavor and crunchy almonds!
Made using only five simple ingredients with no dairy, gluten, or refined sugar, they’re also vegan, paleo friendly. These creamsicles fulfill every need on a hot summer's day - cold, creamy, and caffeinated.
Coffee Granita
This coffee granita tastes like your favorite cup of cold brew coffee but in frozen crystal form. Much like a coffee sorbet, this granita is light, fluffy and large-grained.
Made from natural ingredients with no preservatives or artificial flavoring, it’s the perfect dessert for warm summer nights. It’s easy to make and you can serve it with a little whipped cream and a dash of chocolate syrup or sauce for a memorable dessert.
Coffee Crumble Ice Cream
This no-churn coffee crumble ice cream is creamy, perfectly sweetened, and has a wonderful punch of coffee. With just 6 ingredients, it’s so easy to make and fully customisable too.
All you have to do is stick to the simple ice cream base and go crazy with your preferred toppings - chocolate shavings using any type of chocolate, or sugar-free chocolate chips? Perfect for a grown-up dessert at home.
Coffee Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
If you love coffee desserts you’re in luck, because coffee ice cream is easy to make at home. Plus it's the perfect way to make it your own, especially if you want that jolt of caffeine that commercial coffee ice creams just don't have.
Espresso pairs perfectly with the semi-sweet chocolate chips, and a creamy vanilla base. Add as many dark chocolate chunks as you want or any chocolate substitute that you prefer. Homemade coffee ice cream is creamy, delicious, and the perfect cold dessert.
Caramel Coffee Dessert Box
Go crazy for bold coffee and sweet, gooey caramel flavors of this caramel coffee dessert box. With layers of delicious coffee cream sandwiched between aromatic coffee-dipped biscuits, the caramel latte-flavored whipped cream twist provides an appealing sweetness that complements the robust coffee undertones.
A sprinkle of cocoa powder enhances the coffee taste and aromas, with the explosion of flavors and textures in every bite having you craving juuuust one more bite. This beautiful yet simple dessert is perfect for coffee aficionados. Serve chilled for maximum pleasure!
Coffee Ice Cream (No-Eggs)
Coffee ice cream is both delicious and enticing! With a delicious soft-serve consistency, this is a simple homemade coffee ice cream recipe that requires absolutely no eggs.
It's created using instant coffee granules in an ice cream maker, with only four ingredients. This coffee ice cream is a must-try for any coffee lover, and one of the best coffee ice creams! It has a creamy texture and an excellent coffee flavor; you may easily modify the amount of coffee based on the strength of the flavor you want.
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions
Some of the most popular coffee desserts include classic Italian desserts, such as tiramisu or affogato, as well as Vietnamese desserts like coffee flan, coffee cheesecake, or coffee ice cream. These desserts showcase the wonderful pairing of coffee's complex flavor with variously sweet and creamy elements.
Several desserts pair exceptionally well with coffee. Some delicious options include a rich chocolate cake and espresso, velvety cheesecake with an americano, or biscotti with brewed coffee. These desserts offer a range of flavors and textures that complement and enhance the experience of savoring a cup of coffee.
To start, the bitterness and acidity of coffee can help balance the sweetness of many desserts, creating a harmonious contrast of flavors. The warmth and richness of coffee can also enhance the overall dining experience, while the complex acidity can cleanse the palate between bites of dessert, also allowing for better digestion.
For one, the bitterness of coffee can help balance out the sweetness of a dessert, creating a pleasant contrast of flavors. Additionally, the warmth and richness of coffee can provide a comforting and satisfying end to a meal, allowing for extended conversations. The acidity and caffeine in coffee can also help to perk up and aid in digestion after a satisfying meal.
📖 Recipe
39+ Coffee Desserts You Can Make at Home
Equipment
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Electrice Mixer
- Mixing Bowl
- Ice Cream Maker
Ingredients
- Coffee Cookies
- Lavender Lemon Latte Cookies
- Crispy Coffee Cookies
- Triple Coffee Cookies
- Sourdough Coffee Cookies with Mascarpone Filling
- Coffee Cheesecake
- Tiramisu Pound Cake
- Mocha Mug Cake with Dalgona Frosting
- Coffee Angel Food Cake
- Dairy Free Tiramisu
- Kahlua Toffee Cheesecake
- Dirty Chai Tiramisu
- Opera Cake
- Coffee Chocolate Cake
- Vegan Coffee Cake
- Coffee Walnut Loaf
- Mocha Fudge Cake
- Irish Coffee Mousse with Caramel Sauce
- Mocha Chia Pudding
- Espresso Panna Cotta
- Coffee Nanaimo Bars
- Coffee Jelly
- Coffee Flan
- Hopjesvla
- Coffee Vanilla Poached Pears
- Coconut Mocha Pie with Dalgona Topping
- Spiked Chocolate Coconut Custard
- Brownie Chocolate Chip Coffee Muffins
- Coffee Cupcakes
- Sufganiyot With Cardamom Coffee Cream
- Espresso Cupcakes
- Espresso Kahlua Ice Cream
- Dublin Mudslide Ice Cream
- Coffee Crunch Creamsicles
- Coffee Granita
- Coffee Crumble Ice Cream
- Coffee Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
- Caramel Coffee Dessert Box
- Eggless Coffee Ice Cream
Instructions
- Choose a recipe that appeals to you.
- Gather the ingredients.
- Follow the instructions, then enjoy!
Sharda Wykle
Thank you for so many options, fantastic info
Max
So glad you like them, thank you, Sharda!