Coffee Jelly
This easy coffee flavored jelly is served in individual clear espresso cups and topped with sweetened condensed milk, making it look like a real shot of espresso.
This coffee jelly recipe is inspired by my recent trip to Taiwan, where jelly desserts are very popular. I saw tea jelly, herbal jelly, fruit jelly, etc. This is an easy dessert that can be made ahead of time and it’s great for serving to a large group.
It is basically coffee jello made with real coffee and gelatin. I like it because it’s not overly sweet and it’s a unique dessert to serve after dinner as you would coffee. Except, in this case, the coffee is a cold jelly treat.
I made this coffee jelly dessert for Mother’s Day because my mom doesn’t like desserts that are too sweet. I think they’re really cute and fun – the perfect dessert for entertaining.
Ingredients
- Unflavored gelatin – if you prefer a vegetarian option, you can try using agar agar powder but I have not tested it.
- Hot water
- Granulated sugar
- Hot freshly-brewed coffee – I used Starbucks Pike’s Place Roast.
- Sweetened condensed milk
How to Make It
Once you have your ingredients, you mix everything, pour the coffee mixture into your molds and then refrigerate the jelly overnight to set.
Right before you are ready to serve, top them with some condensed milk, which gives the dessert the additional sweetness it needs. It’s so simple and fun and you can play around with different types of molds.
If you’re curious, I served mine in these Bormioli Rocco espresso cups* (This is an affiliate link). I purchased recently on Amazon. They are so cute and I love using them!
Coffee Tips
For this recipe, you can brew your coffee however you like as long as it’s freshly made. A coffee maker, French press, pour-over – whichever you prefer will work.
Keep in mind that the strength of the coffee will affect your coffee jelly so brew coffee to your tastes. I used Starbuck’s Pike’s Place for this recipe, but a stronger coffee would work well and I think flavored coffees would be interesting, too, like vanilla, hazelnut, or another coffee flavor that you like. You can also use decaf coffee.
The jellies do need something sweet – I don’t think I would enjoy the coffee jelly plain. Sweetened condensed milk works great or you could top them with sweetened whipped cream, too.
I’m definitely making these again at my next house party.
More Dessert Recipes
*Some of the links contained in this post are affiliate links. Much like referral codes, this means I earn a small commission if you purchase a product I referred (at no extra charge to you).
Coffee Jelly
Ingredients
- 1 (.25-oz) package unflavored gelatin
- 2 tbsp hot water
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups hot fresh brewed coffee, I used Starbucks Pike Place Roast
- 4 tbsp sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated milk
Instructions
- In a small bowl, add gelatin and hot water and mix with a spoon until all of the gelatin powder is dissolved. Scrape it into a medium pot, and then add in sugar and hot coffee. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until gelatin is dissolved and liquid is uniform.
- Pour coffee jelly into molds. I used clear espresso cups but you can use other mold shapes, cups. You can also pour into a baking pan and cut into cubes when it solidifies. Put jelly into refrigerator and chill overnight.
- Keep jelly in the fridge until just before serving. Right before serving, top with condensed milk. I added 1 tbsp per each espresso cup. Serve cold.
Notes
Hello! I just heard of coffee jelly foe the first time tonight, and immediately started looking for a recipe. Is this something I could make in a large batch, and keep in the freezer? I make strawberry freezer jam, and am wondering if this would work in the same way. Thanks a bunch! =)
Hi, this is different from a jam because it’s actually a dessert eaten on it’s own. It’s like a gelatin or jello based dessert. I haven’t tried, but I don’t think it will freeze well as it will likely change the texture significantly.
I wonder if a floater of Irish creme liquor instead of the condensed milk, would also be good?
it sounds like it would work fine!
What a great and simple recipe! I love how it looks in the clear cups. I have a (hardly used) glass set from my wedding that this dessert would look great in!
i like how it looks in the clear cups too. hope you have fun with the recipe!
I’m totally into coffee. Do does my Mom. We could drink coffee nonstop and chit chat about all kinds of stuff. This coffee jelly is perfect. I’ll make this on Mother’s Day this year. I’m so exited!
I’m pretty excited for this recipe and I hope you and your mom enjoy it!
You went to Taiwan recently?! I’m so jealous. Your mom’s taste in desserts sound identical to my mom’s. This dessert looks beautiful – will have to try it soon.
yup! just got back from a week long trip!
This is a great dessert idea! I may have to buy the glass espresso cups just to serve this. I also love my Keurig, which I got for Mother’s Day last year. I am reisisting the urge to get the new one.
it’s so hard to resist getting the newest model, isn’t it? And yes, I think the cups are worth the splurge. heehee. I’m sure you can find other uses for them too!