When many people wake up, the lure of a fresh, hot cup of coffee motivates them to get out of bed. The delicious brew also charges up a person’s energy for the day. If you’re addicted to that morning cup of Joe but tired of the same coffee and French vanilla creamer combo, here are four decadent coffee recipes you can make at home to spice up your coffee-drinking life.
1. Cappuccino
Ingredients:
- Steamed or frothed milk
- Coffee
Cappuccino is a rich, creamy beverage consisting of equal parts of espresso, steamed milk, and foam. People often think you need an expensive cappuccino machine to make this delicious, milky beverage at home, but that’s inaccurate. With this simplified recipe, you can make a delightful cheater cappuccino at home, substituting regular coffee for espresso and steaming the milk in the microwave.
Put milk into a mason jar, filling halfway to allow room for the milk to foam. Put the lid on tightly and vigorously shake the milk for 30 seconds. Take off the top and microwave for 30-45 seconds to quickly make steamed, frothy milk.
Gently top your coffee with the steamed milk from your espresso machines and enjoy your beautiful homemade cappuccino.
2. French Press
Ingredients:
- 3-4 tablespoons medium to coarse grind coffee grounds
- 2 cups hot water (not boiling; around 200 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Optional: Stovetop kettle with thermometer for heating water
The French press is an elegant alternative to the standard coffee machine brewing method. In the French press, the coffee grounds soak in hot water. The press then separates the brew from the grounds with a plunger; when the plunger is pressed, the coffee is filtered through a screen, and the grounds remain, eliminating the need for coffee filters. Instead of hot water flowing through the grounds, like in the drip method, the grounds are soaked in hot water, making it an immersion brewing method of preparing coffee.
The first few times you use a French press, you can adjust to determine the ideal coffee ratio. To make coffee, heat water to 200 degrees, then remove the plunger from the French press and put the desired amount of coffee grounds into the press. Pour the hot water into the press and stir gently to moisten all grounds. Place the lid on top and let steep for approximately four minutes. Adjust the steep time to suit your personal preference for how strong to make the coffee.
Next, slowly and steadily push the plunger down to the base. Pour the coffee into a cup, and enjoy. If you’re making more than a single serving at a time, pour the remaining coffee into a decanter, or it will continue to steep and become increasingly strong and bitter. Wash the French press pot after each use.
3. Chocolate Coffee
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Salt
- 4 cups heavy whipping cream or prepared whipped topping
- Hot coffee
- Optional: finely chopped chocolate
This rich and creamy chocolate coffee tops traditional hot chocolate because it packs a caffeinated punch and an excellent coffee flavor. Strong but sweet, it will instantly become one of your favorite coffee beverages.
Mix sugar, cocoa, and water until smooth in a heavy saucepan. Stir over medium heat until soft peaks form, around 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla and a pinch of salt. Refrigerate for at least two hours, then beat the mixture while adding two cups of whipping cream until blended. Fold in two cups of whipping cream.
To serve, pour one-half cup of chocolate mixture into a cup and top with hot coffee. Garnish with whipped topping and chocolate shavings to make this a decadent treat.
4. Creamy Caramel Mocha
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup Dutch-processed (alkalized) cocoa
- 1 1/2 cups cream
- 4 cups hot strong brewed coffee
- 1/2 cup caramel-flavored syrup
This rich, creamy caramel mocha is as tasty and decadent as anything in a coffee shop. Best of all, it takes less time to make than driving to the nearest shop and waiting in line.
First, prepare the whipped topping by beating whipping cream until it thickens. Add confectioners’ sugar and one-half teaspoon vanilla and beat until stiff peaks form. Alternatively, use prepared whipped topping.
Next, make the mocha. Use a wire whisk to combine cocoa and half-and-half until smooth in a saucepan. Heat over medium flame until bubbles form around the edges. Add coffee, syrup, and one-half teaspoon vanilla and whisk to mix. Pour into mugs and top with whipped topping.
From cappuccino to creamy caramel mocha, these luxurious coffee recipes can take your coffee-making skills to the next level. Enjoy experimenting to find your favorite personalized coffee recipes. Your coffee will never feel boring again.