The Complete Guide to Coffee Desserts

If you’re a coffee fan, then you know that drinking it isn’t the only way to enjoy its delicious flavor. We know that not everyone is gifted when it comes to cooking skills, we’ve rounded up a collection of great coffee dessert recipes to try right now that can easily be made. You won’t need to be a chef to make delicious coffee desserts — just follow the steps in each recipe and you’ll be baking up the perfect treat for your next event or after-dinner snack in no time!

Searching for a specific coffee dessert recipe? Click on the links below to skip to the best part!

1. Affogato
2. Cappuccino Coffee Cake
3. Cappuccino Popsicles
4. Chocolate Marble Espresso Chiffon Cake
5. Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake
6. Coffee Gelato
7. Dark Chocolate Espresso Cake
8. Espresso Lava Coffee Cake
9. Gingerbread Tiramisu Ice Cream
10. Japanese Coffee Jelly
11. Magnificent Mocha Muffins
12. Peanut Butter Raspberry Coffee Cake
13. Tiramisu
14. White Chocolate Coffee Cookies

1. Affogato

An affogato is an Italian coffee dessert in which a scoop of vanilla gelato or ice is “drowned” with a shot of steamy hot espresso. The word “affogato” actually translates to “drowned.” An affogato can also be made as an alcoholic beverage by adding a shot of liquor such as amaretto.

Affogato Recipe:

• Vanilla Ice Cream
• 1 shot of fresh-brewed espresso

How to make an affogato:

1. Scoop some ice cream into a cup or bowl.
2. Pour your fresh brewed espresso over the ice cream scoop. Make sure you do it within 30 seconds of brewing your espresso to prevent the shot from expiring.
3. You can add a shot of your favorite liquor, and add toppings such as chopped nuts, crumbled cookies, or shaved chocolate.

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2. Cappuccino Coffee Cake

The coffee cake is a timeless classic that makes an excellent side dessert for your coffee or a fantastic treat to be enjoyed by itself. Simple to make and jam-packed with flavor, this is the ideal dessert for those who are looking for a single-serving, gourmet style dish on a tight schedule.

Cappuccino Coffee Cake Recipe:

• 30 grams, of butter
• ½ teaspoon, cocoa powder
• 3 tablespoons, sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons, milk
• 1 teaspoon, ground espresso
• 4 tablespoons, flour
• 1 pinch of instant baking powder

How to make a Cappuccino Coffee Cake:

1. Melt the butter and mix it with sugar in a bowl. Add the egg after beating it, followed by the milk and coffee.
2. Pour this mixture into a coffee mug.
3. Microwave for 90-120 seconds.
4. Let this easy coffee cake recipe cool for ten minutes. Sprinkle it with cocoa before serving.

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3. Cappuccino Popsicles

Cappuccino popsicles are perfect for fans of iced coffee — and even more perfect on a hot summer day! To entertain your friends with these delicious treats, make sure to get started on the process of making your cappuccino popsicles ahead of time.

Cappuccino Popsicles Recipe:

• 1 cup of espresso
• 1 cup of milk (or milk alternative)
• ⅔ cup of sugar
• 2 tablespoons of corn syrup
• ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• Popsicle molds of your choice

How to make cappuccino popsicles:

1. Add 1 cup of milk, ⅔ cup of sugar, 2 tablespoons of corn syrup, ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to a saucepan
2. Brew 1 cup of espresso and add to a saucepan within 30 seconds of brewing
3. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth
4. Pour the mixture into your popsicle molds

Note: Be sure to make the popsicles at least one day before your event

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4. Chocolate Marble Espresso Chiffon Cake

Butter is used in countless cake recipes, but chiffon cakes are an exception — and that includes espresso chiffon cake, which uses cooking oil instead of butter. Many of the ingredients used in chiffon cakes are traditional cake ingredients, including sugar, eggs, and flour. But the espresso chiffon cake and other chiffon cake recipes make a point of replacing butter with a cooking oil such as olive oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, or canola oil. Like sponge cakes, an espresso chiffon cake is moist and lighter than butter-oriented cakes.

Chocolate Marble Espresso Chiffon Cake Recipe:

• 2 tablespoons, instant espresso powder
• 2 tablespoons, coffee liqueur or brewed espresso
• 7 large eggs
• 1 large egg white
• ⅔ cup, cooking oil
• ⅓ cup, unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 9 oz., cake flour
• 1 and ½ cups, granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons, baking powder
• 1 teaspoon, table salt
• ⅔ cup, sour cream
• 4 oz., dark chocolate (60% to 70% cacao), very finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon, pure vanilla extract

For the glaze:

• 4 oz., milk or dark chocolate, chopped
• ¼ cup, heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon, coffee liqueur or brewed espresso

How to make chocolate marble espresso chiffon cake:

1. Place a baking rack in the lower third of the oven, which should be pre-heated to 325F/165C.
2. Keep a non-greased nonstick 10×4-inch cake pan nearby.
3. Place 7 yolks in a small bowl and 8 egg whites in a medium bowl.
4. Place the cocoa powder and 5 tablespoons of hot tap water in a large bowl and stir.
5. In a different large bowl, combine the espresso powder with the coffee liqueur or brewed espresso and stir.
6. Place the flour in a large mixing bowl. Add the granulated sugar, the baking powder, and salt, followed by the egg yolks, vanilla, sour cream, and cooking oil. Using a hand-held mixer, beat this mixture until it is totally blended.
7. Continue beating for another 3 minutes.
8. Add half of the batter to the cocoa mixture; then, add the chopped chocolate and blend it in.
9. Stir the espresso mixture and add the rest of the batter.
10. Use a hand-held mixer to beat the egg whites on a low-medium speed for about 1 minute. Then, increase the speed to medium and beat the whites for another 1 ½ minutes.
11. Slowly add the rest of the granulated sugar and beat for another 1 ½ minutes.
12. Evenly divide the egg whites between the espresso and chocolate batters and blend.
13. Pour around one-third of the espresso batter onto the bottom of the cake pan; then, place roughly the same amount of the espresso batter on top.
14. Bake the espresso chiffon cake for about an hour until it is golden brown.

For the glaze:

1. Place the milk or dark chocolate, cream, and coffee liqueur or espresso in a heat-friendly bowl and stir.
2. Place the bowl over a saucepan of water that is barely simmering and heat the mixture.
3. Let the glaze cool for about 15 minutes. Then, apply it to the top of the chocolate marble espresso chiffon cake.

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5. Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake

Who doesn’t love a good cinnamon roll? If the smell of cinnamon wafting through the house is one of your core memories as a kid, then our cinnamon roll coffee cake recipe will be the perfect dessert to spark some great memories in the kitchen! Sweet, sentimental, and scrumptious, this is a thoughtful coffee dessert that’s sure to impress!

Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake Recipe:

• 3 cups of flour
• ¼ teaspoon of salt
• 1 cup of white sugar
• 1 cup of brown sugar
• 3 cups of powdered sugar
• 4 tablespoons of baking powder
• 1 ½ cup of milk
• 4 teaspoons of vanilla extract (for wet batter)
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (for glaze)
• 1 shot of espresso
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup of melted, unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon of cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons of water

How to make cinnamon roll coffee cake:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Whisk up a dry mix by using your flour, salt, white sugar, and baking powder
3. Next, in a separate bowl, make a wet mix by combining your milk, eggs, espresso, and vanilla extract
4. Add your wet and dry mixtures into a single batter and then pour in the melted butter. Make sure everything is thoroughly combined
5. Use baking spray on a pan of about 9” x 13” and add the batter
6. Mix together your brown sugar and cinnamon and use a knife to spread it over the top of your batter
7. Bake for 30 minutes. The cake is ready when you can poke it with a toothpick and it comes out clean with no batter stuck to it
8. Next, add your powdered sugar, 1 additional tablespoon of vanilla extract, and water together until it is thick, like treacle
9. Pour this mixture over your cake and it will harden into a delicious glaze

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6. Coffee Gelato

Gelato is a popular dessert of Italian origin — in fact, the word gelato derives from the word “congelato,” which means frozen. Similar to ice cream, gelato gets its creaminess from milk, however, it is often lower in fat than regular ice cream. You can also easily make your gelato vegan by replacing milk with coconut milk — which is what we’ll be doing for this recipe.

Coffee Gelato Recipe:

• 2 cans of coconut milk
• ¾ of a cup of sugar
• 1 shot of espresso
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1. How to make coffee gelato:
2. Mix all of the ingredients together in a saucepan and warm over low heat while stirring.
3. Stop when the sugar has dissolved into the mixture. Let it cool.
4. Lastly, use an ice cream maker to churn. If you do not have an ice cream maker, then use a hand mixer to beat the gelato in between keeping it in the freezer every 30 to 40 minutes.

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7. Dark Chocolate Espresso Cake

Great for those looking for a quick, delectable bite. The dark chocolate espresso cake mixes add a new layer of flavor for chocolate lovers to really delve into their coffee cake. Great for serving with coffee, tea, or by itself. This microwave-friendly recipe will have you cooking up professional-style cake in minutes.

Dark Chocolate Espresso Cake Recipe:

• ¼ cup, cold brew coffee
• ¼ cup, quick oats
• ¼ cup, dark cocoa powder
• 2–3 tablespoons, sweetener
• ½ teaspoon, baking powder
• A pinch of salt
• 3 tablespoons, oil
• 1 egg
• ½ teaspoon, vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons, dark chocolate chips

How to make a dark chocolate espresso cake:

1. Place the cocoa powder, oats, baking powder, sweetener, and salt in a small bowl.
2. Combine the coffee, egg, oil, vanilla extract, and chocolate chips in a separate bowl.
3. Coat a large coffee mug with cooking spray.
4. Pour the batter into the mug, and microwave this easy coffee cake recipe for one minute and a half. Serve.

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8. Espresso Lava Coffee Cake

If you’re looking to elevate your coffee cake and truly wow your guests, look no further than the Espresso Lava Coffee Cake. This decadent take on the traditional coffee cake packs the inner layers with gooey chocolate goodness that coats each bite of this single-serve cake.

Espresso Lava Coffee Cake Recipe:

• 1 tablespoon, espresso
• ¼ cup, all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup, sugar
• 2 tablespoons, unsweetened cocoa powder
• ⅛ teaspoon, baking soda
• ⅛ teaspoon, salt
• 3 tablespoons, milk
• 2 tablespoons, vegetable oil
• ¼ teaspoon, vanilla
• 1 tablespoon, mini-chocolate chips
• Optional, sprinkle powdered sugar

How to make lava coffee cake:

1. Place the sugar, flour, baking soda, cocoa, and salt in a large coffee mug and stir.
2. Add the milk, oil, espresso, and vanilla. Keep stirring.
3. Place the mini-chocolate chips in the center of the mug.
4. Microwave using 50% power for 40 seconds.
5. Remove the mug from the microwave and use a toothpick to stir the center before microwaving it at 50% power for another 60-80 seconds.
6. Let the mug cool for 2 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired, and serve this easy coffee cake recipe.

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9. Gingerbread Tiramisu Ice Cream

This is one of the most versatile options out of all of our dessert ideas. Our version of gingerbread tiramisu ice cream does away with churning and complexity and replaces it with earnest simplicity. This is the best recipe if you are really trying to wow your friends and family by creating a dessert that looks complex, tastes amazing, and can be served in multiple ways.

Gingerbread Tiramisu Ice Cream Recipe:

• 250g of mascarpone cheese
• 200g of pouring cream
• 4 tablespoons of brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 40ml of quality espresso
• 1/4 tsp of ground ginger
• 3 tablespoons of marsala
• 4 ladyfinger biscuits (Italian sponge cookies)
• Gingerbread men, to serve

How to make gingerbread tiramisu ice cream:

1. Place your mascarpone cheese, cream, vanilla, and sugar into a bowl and whisk the ingredients together until they are combined and fluffy.
2. Brew a quality shot of espresso. Start by grinding your favorite coffee beans with a burr grinder. Once you have the consistency you desire, use an espresso machine or Moka Pot to extract your coffee.
3. Add your coffee, ginger, and marsala in a small bowl. Break your ladyfinger biscuits into four pieces each, and add them into your coffee mixture. Mix everything together until your biscuits are soft and combine with the coffee mixture.
4. Add your biscuit and coffee mixture into the larger bowl with your fluffy cheese mixture. Combine until both sets of ingredients have been perfectly combined and have a smooth texture.
5. Freeze your mixture for at least one hour before serving. You can present your creation in the form of scoops of ice cream, or even use it as a topping for other Christmas dessert ideas you might have in mind.

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10. Japanese Coffee Jelly

Coffee jelly is a tasty treat that is widely popular in Japan. Coffee jelly is often made using very strong coffee, although espresso also can be used to give it a more sophisticated taste. It can also be enjoyed by topping it off with some heavy cream or condensed milk.

Japanese Coffee Jelly Recipe:

• 2 cups of coffee
• 1 tablespoon of gelatin
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• 4 tablespoons of water

How to make Japanese coffee jelly:

1. Mix the gelatin and water and allow it to sit for two to three minutes.
2. Next, warm the coffee and sugar in a saucepan until the mixture is boiling.
3. Add the gelatin and mix until it disappears in the coffee and sugar mixture.
4. Pour it into a container and refrigerate until the gelatin sets.

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11. Magnificent Mocha Muffins

Ideal for parties, home snacking or picnics, the magnificent mocha muffin is the perfect blend of coffee and chocolate that is sure to be a hit with friends, family, and co-workers. This versatile coffee cake muffin recipe can be tailored to suit those with a sweet-tooth or a love for coffee. Bursting with flavor and a rich, tender consistency, here’s the scrumptious muffin recipe that’ll transform you into a true muffin maestro!

Magnificent Mocha Muffins Recipe:

• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup (120ml) of buttermilk
• 1/2 cup (120ml) of flavorless oil
• 1/4 cup (60ml) of black coffee or espresso grounds
• 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup (130g) of all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup (95g) of whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup (25g) of regular unsweetened or Dutch processed cocoa powder
• 1 cup (200g) of light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1 cup (170g) of your choice of chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup (50g) of your choice of nuts or dry fruit

How to make magnificent mocha muffins:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius)
2. Use a pan with 12 muffin cups. Add either paper liners, butter, or non-stick vegetable cooking spray
3. Whisk eggs, buttermilk, oil, coffee, and vanilla extract in a large bowl
4. Whisk both types of flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in another large bowl
5. Stir in chocolate chips and chopped nuts / dried fruit
6. Mix wet ingredients with dry ingredients. Do not over-mix
7. Add batter to muffin cups
8. Place in oven and bake for about 18-23 minutes
9. Poke the center of muffins with a toothpick. If the toothpick has batter, keep in the oven for longer
10. Remove muffins and let cool for 10 minutes
11. Muffins can be kept at room temperature for a few days or refrigerated

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12. Peanut Butter Raspberry Coffee Cake

If you’re looking to combine sweet and savory into a single mouth-watering dessert then this is the recipe for you. This unique coffee cake combines the flavors of peanut butter and raspberry to give the flavor of an elevated PB&J to reminisce over a childhood favorite of flavors.

Peanut Butter Raspberry Coffee Cake Recipe:

• 1 ¼ cup of all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon of baking powder
• ½ cup of white sugar
• ½ cup of brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon of salt
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup of peanut butter
• ¼ cup of vegetable oil
• ½ cup of whole milk
• 1 cup of raspberries
• 1 tablespoon of room-temperature butter

How to make a peanut butter raspberry coffee cake:

1. Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease an 8-inch cake pan
2. Use a whisk to combine the flour, baking powder, brown sugar, white sugar, and salt. After mixing together, remove a small bowl’s worth and set it aside for later
3. For the larger batch of mixture, add an egg, vegetable oil, peanut butter, and milk. Mix thoroughly until everything has a smooth, silky consistency
4. Add the raspberries to the large mixture and pour into your cake pan
5. Use a fork to incorporate the butter into the smaller batch of mixture until the consistency resembles wet sand. Then add the small mixture to the top of the large mixture in the cake pan
6. Bake for about 40 minutes. The cake is done when you can poke a toothpick into it and have no batter stuck to the toothpick when you pull it back out

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13. Tiramisu

Everybody loves tiramisu! This delicious coffee dessert features layers of coffee-drenched biscuits and creamy filling.

Tiramisu Ingredients:

• 6 egg yolks
• 12-14 ladyfinger biscuits
• 1 ½ cups of espresso that’s been cooled
• ½ cup of sugar
• 16 ounces of mascarpone
• Cocoa powder
• Four egg whites

How to make tiramisu:

1. Mix egg yolks and sugar.
2. Add ½ of the mascarpone.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the egg white and fold into the mascarpone mixture.
4. Spread 1/3 of this mixture into your serving bowl and then take ladyfingers that have been soaked in espresso and place them on top of the cream to make a layer.
5. Repeat this and top with a layer of cream and dust the top with cocoa powder.

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14. White Chocolate Coffee Cookies

If you’re hunting for a dessert idea with some serious personality, then look no further! These cookies are sure to be a hit with family, friends, or co-workers, especially if you purchase inexpensive festive cookie cutters and shape them for various holiday occasions!

White Chocolate Coffee Cookies Recipe (45 cookies):

• 2 cups of cappuccino
• 1 tablespoon of hot water
• 1 cup of butter, softened
• 3/4 cup of sugar
• 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
• 2-1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon of salt
• 8 ounces of white candy coating, melted
• Baking cocoa, optional

How to make white chocolate coffee cookies:

1. Brew 2 cups of cappuccino. You’ll need to grind down your coffee beans, extract 2 shots of espresso, and make sure you split each cup of coffee into a ratio of 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, and 1/3 foam. You can use an electric frother to get your foam just right.
2. Combine cream, butter, and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add in your cappuccino and egg yolk and continue to beat the mixture until everything is fully combined.
3. In another bowl, whisk flour, cinnamon, and salt. Add this to your cream mixture and beat until everything is smoothly incorporated.
4. Divide up your dough into two sections and place into the fridge for 30 minutes.
5. Preheat oven to 375°f (190c). While the oven is heating, roll your dough to 1/4 inch thickness and use a cookie cutter to bring this Christmas dessert idea to life! Try and find festive shapes for the most fun result!
6. Place raw cookies on baking sheets and put them into the oven for 10-12 minutes.
7. Pipe white candy coating onto your cookies as decoration, or simply dip your cookies into your white candy coating and let it dry.