Coffee is much more than a morning ritual; it's a fabulous gift that can elevate your culinary creations to new heights. Incorporating specialty coffee into your desserts can add additional levels of sophistication and appeal. Unlike commodity coffee, specialty coffee is known for its superior quality, distinct flavors and sustainable sourcing practices. In this blog post, we'll begin with a discussion of the benefits of specialty coffee over commodity coffee and explore five delectable desserts that shine even brighter when made with specialty coffee.
Specialty coffee's smooth, well-balanced flavor profile avoids the harsh, bitter notes often found in the commodity coffees that line some supermarket shelves. It tends to be free from the additives and chemicals often found in commodity coffees and contains antioxidants and essential nutrients, which can provide health benefits even when enjoyed in desserts. Specialty coffee’s unique flavor profiles enhance its overall taste and will add a rich, lingering aftertaste to any of the delectable desserts described in this blog post.
Click here to go to our website and learn about our specialty coffee offerings, including our espresso and Swiss Water Process® decaf ground roasts. Both are a perfect choice for any coffee-flavored dessert you may choose to make. Try us risk free with our 30-day money back guarantee. Enjoy volume discounts and free shipping on orders over $40.
We have suggested five classic desserts that can be enhanced with our wonderful coffee flavors and describe how they can be made at home. As a faster alternative, purchase the base items for the dessert at your local market and then enhance with the addition of one of our flavorful specialty coffees!
- Tiramisu. We all know of Tiramisu, but did you know that this Italian word means “Lift me up?” How fitting is that? Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert made of a heavenly blend of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone and cocoa powder. The key to a perfect tiramisu lies in the quality of the coffee used. Use our Fabulous Bean Full Sail specialty coffee blend to brew a strong espresso. Dip the ladyfingers quickly into the espresso to prevent them from becoming too soggy, layer with creamy mascarpone cheese and finish with a dusting of cocoa and drizzle of espresso for an indulgent treat.
- Coffee Macarons. These are delicate French cookies with a crisp shell and a chewy interior, filled with a coffee-flavored ganache. These elegant treats are a favorite at high tea and special occasions. Use finely ground specialty coffee in the macaron batter and brew a strong coffee for the ganache. Making macarons is something of a practiced art. For most of us, it will be a lot easier to buy our macarons and then create our coffee-flavored ganache at home. If you grind your coffee at home, our Fabulous Bean Sailor’s Whole Bean roast is a great choice for both the batter and ganache. Otherwise, we recommend our ground Full Sail Espresso roast.
What exactly is a ganache and how do you make a coffee-flavored ganache at home? A ganache is a smooth and velvety mixture of chocolate and cream, perfect for filling, glazing or even as a stand-alone dessert element. Adding coffee to the ganache enhances its flavor, giving it a rich and sophisticated touch. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to making coffee-infused ganache at home.
Ingredients:
-8 ounces (225g) high-quality dark chocolate, finely chopped
-1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
-2 tablespoons (30ml) brewed specialty coffee (strong)
-1 tablespoon unsalted butter (optional, for extra shine and smoothness)
Equipment:
- Medium-sized mixing bowl
- Small saucepan
- Whisk or spatula
Directions:
Prepare the Ingredients:
- Chop the dark chocolate finely and place it in a medium-sized mixing bowl. This helps the chocolate melt evenly and smoothly.
- Brew a strong cup of specialty coffee and measure out 2 tablespoons.
Heat the Cream:
- In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Do not let it boil, as boiling can cause the cream to separate.
Combine Cream and Coffee:
- Once the cream is hot, remove it from the heat and stir in the 2 tablespoons of brewed specialty coffee. This infuses the cream with the rich, aromatic flavor of the coffee.
Pour Over Chocolate:
- Immediately pour the hot cream and coffee mixture over the chopped chocolate in the mixing bowl. Let it sit for about 2-3 minutes without stirring. This allows the chocolate to begin melting.
Stir Until Smooth:
- After the resting period, begin stirring the mixture gently with a whisk or spatula. Start from the center and work your way outwards until the ganache is smooth and shiny. If you’re using butter, add it now and stir until fully incorporated.
Cool and Use:
- Allow the ganache to cool slightly at room temperature before using it. For a thicker consistency (e.g., for truffles or filling), let it cool and set completely. You can also refrigerate it to speed up the setting process.
Tips:
- For a Glossier Finish: Adding a tablespoon of unsalted butter to the ganache can give it a shinier appearance and smoother texture.
- Flavor Variations: Experiment with different types of specialty coffee to add various flavor notes to your ganache.
Now enjoy your homemade coffee-infused ganache as a luxurious addition to your favorite desserts!
- Coffee Ice Cream. This is a favorite dessert that offers a creamy coffee experience in every spoonful. Making it at home allows for customization and the use of high-quality ingredients. Brew a double shot of our Full Sail espresso and let it cool before adding it to your ice cream base. If making your own ice cream is impractical, just zip on down to your favorite market and pick up some premium ice cream. We recommend coffee, vanilla or chocolate. Simply dish the ice cream into bowls, pour the coffee over the ice cream and voilá, it’s ready to go! Another popular option is to simply sprinkle our finely ground Full Sail Espresso over the ice cream.
- Coffee Cheesecake. This dessert combines the rich, creamy texture of cheesecake with the bold flavor of coffee, creating a dessert that's both comforting and sophisticated. You can incorporate our specialty coffee into both the cheesecake batter and the crust. Again, we recommend using our finely ground Full Sail Espresso roast. As with coffee ice cream, if making your own cheesecake is too daunting, just pick up a good one and pour some brewed espresso or sprinkle our finely ground Full Sail espresso over the cheesecake.
- Affogato. Are we saving the best for last? Another Italian word? It must mean something. Of course it does. It translates as “Drowned.” Don't worry though, there's no danger of drowning with affogato the dessert. But be warned, it might become addictive. Affogato is a simple yet decadent Italian dessert that consists of a scoop of vanilla gelato "drowned" in a shot of hot espresso. It's a delightful blend of hot and cold, creamy and bitter. Brew a fresh shot of our Full Sail espresso and pour it over a high-quality vanilla gelato (or ice cream). Then sprinkle some finely ground espresso over the ice cream. This one is easy to make and sure to please your family and friends. It is one of our favorites!
In conclusion, incorporating our Fabulous Bean specialty coffees into your desserts can transform them from ordinary to extraordinary. The complex flavors of our coffees enhance the taste and texture of your creations, making them truly memorable. Whether you're enjoying tiramisu, macarons, ice cream, cheesecake or affogato, choosing one or more of our specialty coffees will elevate your desserts to a new level of deliciousness. So next time you reach for coffee in your kitchen, opt for specialty coffee from The Fabulous Bean Coffee Company® and experience the positive difference it will make in your culinary creations.
Thanks for reading and we wish you Happy Specialty Coffee Drinking and Coffee Enhanced Dessert Eating!
From your friends at The Fabulous Bean Coffee Company®
