3x Best Italian Coffee Dessert Ideas

Italy is renowned for its rich coffee culture and delectable desserts, making it a haven for coffee-inspired sweets.  Here are some Italian coffee dessert ideas to tantalize your taste buds:

1. Coffee Mousse Dessert
   

   Coffee mousse is a decadent and creamy dessert that is infused with the rich flavor of espresso. It is a popular dessert in many countries, including Italy, France, and the United States.
   
   
   Ingredients
   
   • Heavy cream (whipped for a light, fluffy texture)
   • Milk (to temper coffee flavors)
   • Strong coffee or espresso (our Kerinci - Indonesia - is perfect for this, freshly brewed and cooled)
   • Powdered sugar (for sweetness)
   • Dark chocolate (melted for a sweet balance)
     
     
     
   View the full Coffee Mousse recipe >>
   
   

2. Coffee Cake Dessert

    

   Coffee cake is a sweet and savory dessert that is typically made with a crumbly topping, a moist cake base, and a hint of coffee flavor. 

   Ingredients:

   • 170g butter or margarine, plus extra for the tins
   • 170g caster sugar
   • 3 large eggs
   • 170g self-raising flour
   • 1 tbsp cooled espresso (our Rheya - House Dark Roast is perfect for this - add more if you like it stronger)
     
     
     View the full Coffee Cake Recipe >>
     

3. Tiramisu

   This iconic Italian dessert features layers of espresso-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cream, and cocoa powder, creating a symphony of flavors and textures. The intense coffee flavor from the espresso mingles with the rich creaminess of the mascarpone, while the cocoa powder adds a touch of bittersweetness.
   
   
   
   Ingredients 
• 1 (14-ounce) package ladyfingers
• 1 cup strong brewed coffee
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 (14-ounce) container mascarpone cheese
• 1 (1/2-ounce) envelope unflavored gelatin
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
  
  

1. In a small bowl, combine the coffee and sugar. Dip the ladyfingers in the coffee mixture, one at a time, until they are just moistened.
2. Dip the ladyfingers in the coffee mixture
3. Line the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish with a single layer of ladyfingers.
4. In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese, mascarpone cheese, and 1/4 cup of the coffee mixture until smooth.
5. In a small saucepan, combine the gelatin and cold water. Let stand for 2 minutes, or until the gelatin softens. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, just until the gelatin dissolves. Do not boil.
6. Stir the gelatin mixture into the cream cheese mixture until combined.
7. Beat in the heavy cream until just combined.
8. Spread half of the cream cheese mixture over the ladyfingers.
9. Repeat layers with remaining ladyfingers and cream cheese mixture.
10. Dust the top with cocoa powder.
11. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.

Is coffee a dessert?

Coffee is not typically considered a dessert. Desserts are sweet and often contain sugar, while coffee is naturally bitter. However, there are some coffee-based desserts, such as tiramisu and panna cotta al caffè, which are considered desserts because they are sweetened and may contain additional ingredients such as chocolate or cream