15 Delicious Ways to Use Instant Coffee
Instant coffee is the small-but-mighty pantry staple you may be overlooking: Just a pinch of the powerful ingredient deepens and enhances rich flavors — particularly chocolate. Take your your decadent chocolate desserts (and even your savory dinners, like spaghetti and meatballs) to the next level with this collection of our best instant coffee recipes.
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Caramel Macchiato Ice Cream
This simple ice cream tastes just like your favorite coffeehouse drink. "FANTASTIC," raves reviewer and Allrecipes Allstar Christina. "Made as written and would not change a thing."
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Dark Mocha Crinkles
This recipe is full of "mocha goodness," according to recipe creator lisaperrya. Wrapped in festive packaging, these chewy cookies make delicious edible Christmas gifts.
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Chocolate Cappuccino Cheesecake
Recipe creator Cigdem Buke Ugur says this decadent cheesecake has been called "sinfully rich and velvety smooth." Top with coffee-flavored homemade whipped cream.
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Nutella Coffee Shake
Here's a rich and decadent milkshake that kids and adults will absolutely love. Recipe creator Laura Amanda suggests serving with whipped cream and caramel topping.
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Tiramisu Layer Cake
This top-rated dessert recipe (which has almost 2,000 5-star reviews) is way easier to make than it looks. In fact, it starts with a package of moist white cake mix.
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Russian Black Bread
This Russian bread recipe has a uniquely robust flavor thanks to dark corn syrup, brown sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, caraway seeds, and instant coffee granules.
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Mocha Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins
Enjoy these sweet mocha muffins for breakfast or for dessert. "Everyone who has tasted them will agree that they are the best muffins ever," says recipe creator Shelley Ross.
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Original Irish Cream
Make DIY Irish cream in your own kitchen with this boozy recipe. Use it to make one of our favorite Irish Cream Drinks or sip it over ice.
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Ultimate Chocolate Dessert
Chef John's Ultimate Chocolate Dessert (a.k.a. chocolate mocha pot de creme), subtly flavored with instant coffee, is as rich and decadent as it gets.
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Honey Cake
This traditional German cake improves over time, according to recipe creator Suzanne Stull, so it's best to bake it a few days ahead.
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Black Bean Brownies
Black beans serve as a healthy, protein-packed flour substitute in this chocolatey recipe. A teaspoon of instant coffee granules adds a delicious depth of flavor.
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Dale's Swedish Meatballs
Instant coffee is the unexpected secret ingredient in these beefy meatballs. A sour cream-based sauce goes perfectly with egg noodles.
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Dalgona Coffee
This trendy whipped drink is easy to make with boiling water, instant coffee, and sugar. Just whisk all the ingredients and pour over milk.
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Mocha Truffles
A velvety filling (made with chocolate chips, cream cheese, instant coffee, and water) is topped with a 2-ingredient chocolate coating.
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Dad's Spaghetti Sauce With Coffee
A tablespoon of instant coffee gives this spaghetti sauce its unique flavor. You should make plenty ahead of time, says recipe creator Busitj, as it "gets richer after a day or two."
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More Inspiration
Become your own barista with our collection of Coffee Shop Recipes You Can Make at Home.