25 Coffee Dessert Recipes Too Yummy Must Try

You don’t have to be a coffee lover to appreciate how a hot, steaming cup can transform your slice of cake into a gift from the dessert gods. These coffee dessert recipes prove that coffee isn’t just a breakfast beverage. 

You can have it alongside a decadent sweet or incorporate it into your next cake, loaf, brownie, or cheesecake. That’s how versatile it is. My favorite pairing is Molten Lava Chocolate Cake with espresso. The dark drink is a flavor enhancer that’s hard to beat.

Whether you’re looking to infuse your morning latte into your dessert or simply pair it with a midnight snack, you’ve come to the right place. Check out these coffee-worthy pairings. 

Quick Table: Coffee & Dessert Recipes 

Recipes	Calories Per Serving	Preparation Time
Molten Lava Chocolate Cake	352	22 Minutes
Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake	642	50 Minutes
Classic Chocolate Cake	613	2 Hours 10 Minutes
Classic Cheesecake	310	3 Hours 10 Minutes
Fudgy Brownies	129	30 Minutes
Sour Cream Coffee Cake	553	1 Hour 5 Minutes
Apple Strudel	226	40 Minutes
Pineapple Upside Down Cake	366	1 Hour
Apple Tart	220	1 Hour 45 min
Banana Bread	302	1 Hour
Glazed Lemon Pound Cake Loaf	290	1 Hour 5 min
Chunky Chocolate Chip Cookies	488	32 Minutes
Raspberry Lemon Cookies	99	30 Minutes
Chocolate Chip Brookies	310	50 Minutes
Lemon Blueberry Tart	308	4 Hours
Rolo Caramel Cupcakes	233	45 Minutes
Cherry Pastry Pie	271	3 Hours
Cannolis	182	1 Hour 45 Minutes
Boston Cream Donuts	220	4 Hours 45 Minutes
Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake	360	4 Hours 50 Minutes
Chocolate Cheesecake	601	6 Hours 30 Minutes
Cinnamon Crumble Cake	400	1 Hour
Cinnamon Rolls	436	1 Hour  25 Minutes
Peanut Butter Snickerdoodles	125	1 Hour
Tiramisu	240	8 Hours 40 Minutes

1. Molten Lava Chocolate Cake

Molten lava chocolate cake is the adult version of a pop-up book. You slice into it, and a stream of melted chocolate spills out. It seems like a fancy dish that’s too hard to accomplish at home, but you’d be surprised. 

This dessert only takes 25 minutes to make and has the simplest ingredients like butter, vanilla extract, cocoa, eggs, and a little elbow grease. Then, add espresso to take your cake batter to the next level. 

Calories Per Serving: 352

Preparation Time: 22 Minutes

2. Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake

With a lavish layer of chocolate cake at the bottom, and layers of chocolate fudge, dark chocolate mousse, and white chocolate mousse on top, there’s little to complain about when it comes to this triple mousse delight.

So much chocolate! The fudge is like a ganache, made with semi-sweet chocolate chips, heavy cream, and corn syrup.  

This dessert screams “indulgence,” so it’s perfect for a birthday, anniversary, or significant celebration. Let the chocolate cake base cool before adding your fudge and mousse layers. 

Calories Per Serving: 642

Preparation Time: 50 Minutes

3. Classic Chocolate Cake 

Nothing beats a classic. Also known as “devil’s food cake,” the deep flavors, fluffy frosting, and hidden coffee make the chocolate cake a go-to recipe for all occasions. To get the best results, use dutch processed cocoa richer in color. 

Using buttermilk instead of regular dairy will maintain the cake’s moisture. Don’t worry; you won’t taste it in the final product. Adding one teaspoon of instant coffee granules to your batter will give the chocolate a punch of flavor without leaving a “coffee” taste. 

Calories Per Serving: 613

Preparation Time: 2 Hours 10 Minutes

4. Classic Cheesecake 

Most cheesecakes can be intimidating. So many people bow out after making their third or fourth mistake, but this one’s different! No cracking top, no hours spent peeking into the oven. Just assemble it and wait to be amazed. 

Choose a smooth cream cheese and mix out any lumps for the best results. You could make a coffee version, but I like to get my caffeine kick from an americano or espresso on the side. To really push your coffee’s flavor, go sugar-free. 

You’ll get more than enough sweetness from your cheesecake slice. 

Calories Per Serving: 310

Preparation Time: 3 Hours 10 Minutes

5. Fudgy Brownies 

Regarding brownies, cocoa has gotten a bit of a bad rep as the inferior option to pure chocolate. But I think they work together to make these crackly, moist, fudgy brownies. Mix in some chocolate chips for a fudgy touch and add walnuts for texture. 

These brownies take five minutes to assemble, so they are a fantastic after-work option. The egg whites are responsible for that signature brownie skin, so make sure they are fully incorporated. 

Calories Per Serving: 129 

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

6. Sour Cream Coffee Cake 

What pairs with coffee more than coffee cake? Sour cream-infused coffee cake. You’ll get double the caffeine and double the flavor with a crumbly, sweet streusel on top. Mix brown sugar, flour, regular sugar, salt, butter, and cinnamon for the streusel. 

If you’re having difficulty finding sour cream in your area, you can use greek yogurt, creme fresh, or buttermilk.

I make my own buttermilk at home by adding a teaspoon of vinegar or lemon to the required milk measurement and letting it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. 

Calories Per Serving: 553

Preparation Time: 1 Hour 5 Minutes

7. Apple Strudel 

Warm, crispy, and easy to make, an apple strudel is perfect for a coffee-forward breakfast. Think of it as a loaded croissant with sticky sauteed apples, cinnamon, and layers of puff pastry.

But, of course, make your own puff pastry if you want to perfect your baking skills. 

For those in a rush, store-bought frozen puff pastry works just fine. You can keep it simple with fresh apples or layer in sliced almonds and raisins for added texture and crunch. Egg wash the top to ensure a crisp finish. 

Calories Per (slice) Serving: 226

Preparation Time: 40 Minutes

RELATED: 4 Stunning Overnight Coffee Crumble Cake Recipes

8. Pineapple Upside Down Cake

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/344384702768569357/

Feeling nostalgic? You will be after you make this pineapple upside-down cake. Made famous in the 1920s, this is a classic for those that prefer fruits over icing. For the best results, use fresh pineapples and cut them half a centimeter thick. 

Pro-tip, to prevent the pineapple drizzle from sticking to your cake pan and separating from the cake, let your cake rest for a few minutes before flipping it over.

That will give the pineapple and syrup enough time to separate from the pan. Pair with a cappuccino or latte. 

Calories Per Serving: 366

Preparation Time: 1 Hour

9. Apple Tart 

When you look at the golden brown, flowered apples and perfectly formed crust, it’s easy to write this dessert off as “something for professionals,” but that couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Tarts are easy to make, and apple tarts are affordable and accessible. 

To keep your apple slices from oxidizing, toss them in lemon juice. Since tarts are apple and sugar, they have a light, simple flavor. You can contrast that with a solid Ethiopian or Turkish coffee.

Calories Per Serving: 220

Preparation Time: 1 Hour 45 Minutes

10. Banana Bread 

Yet another classic, banana bread will never go out of style. As you know, the riper the banana, the better. With most of the sugar coming from the bananas, you don’t need much more.

I dare say you could get away with a few tablespoons. Pair this with a sweet, creamy coffee. 

For a caramel-like, sticky flavor, go for light brown sugar. The molasses will caramelize and create an extra crunchy exterior. You can also make this in advance and leave it in the freezer for up to two months. 

Calories Per Serving: 302

Preparation Time: 1 Hour

11. Glazed Lemon Pound Cake Loaf

Much like banana bread, this is a loaf you’ll find everywhere, but nothing beats the homemade version. There’s something so childlike about biting into a slice and hearing that “crackle” sound the glaze makes.

With only one large lemon, you’ll have a refreshing portion to pair with your morning brew. 

If you want a simple, thin glaze, use water, lemon juice, and icing/powdered sugar. Those who prefer a thicker consistency can use cream cheese. For added fragrance, sprinkle in some poppy seeds. 

Calories Per Serving: 290

Preparation Time: 1 Hour 5 Minutes

12. Chunky Chocolate Chip Cookies 

Ultra chunky, New York-style chocolate chip cookies grew in popularity after several bakeries posted their creations online. You can get the same effect at home with a simple base recipe, high-grade chocolate, warm nuts, and chewy toffee. 

Since the cookie is so rich, I’d pair this with a plain black pour-over, Moka, or drip coffee. The toffee brings sweetness, stickiness, and texture, while the nuts add a protein boost. 

Calories Per Serving: 488

Preparation Time: 32 Minutes

13. Raspberry Lemon Cookies 

Whoever decided to mix berries and cookies is a total genius. Tart raspberries coated in sugar cookie batter and lemon juice make for a chewy, soft-centered treat. It tastes like a refreshing summer drink and takes only 30 minutes to complete. 

To avoid a sticky dough, use dried raspberries. The frozen kind will thaw as soon as you put them in the dough, and everything else will be a mess after. Alternatively, you could use a raspberry jam which holds up pretty well taste-wise. 

Calories Per Serving: 99

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

14. Chocolate Chip Brookies 

The combination of both is the only thing better than a brownie and a cookie. Brookies might have a funny name, but the taste is seriously delicious.

This dish is surprisingly easy to make with a dark chocolate brownie on the bottom and a golden chocolate chip cookie on top. 

Since you’re combining two of the sweetest desserts, go for unsweetened dark cooking chocolate for the brownie recipe. You can add a dash of instant coffee to enhance the flavor profiles and serve with a rich Irish cream coffee. 

Calories Per Serving: 310

Preparation Time: 50 Minutes

15. Lemon Blueberry Tart 

Since most coffees have a hint of fruit, this blueberry lemon tart will push forward those hidden coffee berry elements you’re looking for.

This tart is perfect for the summer, using only ten ingredients and ladled over a flaky, shortbread crust. The combined tartness from the lemon and blueberry make for a tangy bite, but it’s still delicious. 

Whether you use fresh or frozen berries. You’ll get a great end result. You could also use a blueberry compote. The tart does need a few hours to chill and set before serving, so make this when you aren’t in a  rush. 

Calories Per Serving: 308

Preparation Time: 4 Hours

16. Rolo Caramel Cupcakes 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/5488830787404194/

I’ve always found Rolos to be excessively sweet, but when incorporated into this salted caramel cupcake, the bitterness from the cacao offsets the candy beautifully.

It works even better with a  shot of espresso by your side. Stuffing a cupcake with caramel can be easy if you get the consistency right. 

To do that, use a store-bought option or make a runny homemade caramel sauce. Pour the sauce in after you bake the cupcake and not before; otherwise, it’ll evaporate or soak into the sponge cake. 

Calories Per serving: 233

Preparation Time: 45 Minutes

17. Cherry Pastry Pie 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/966796244981481597/

This pop tart for grown-ups is a great breakfast option as you’re rushing out of the house with a coffee. Cherries work best in a compote or jam and making one takes around 10 to 15 minutes of active work.

Once your jam has cooled, get some puff pastry and fill it up to your heart’s content. 

To prevent the inside from getting soggy, score the top. This allows the steam from the baking process to have an exit. The result will be crispy, golden brown pastry and gooey, caramelized cherries. 

Sprinkle granulated sugar on top for a rustic finish. 

Calories Per Serving: 271

Preparation Time: 3 Hours

18. Cannolis

Made famous for their creamy ricotta stuffing and hard-fried shell, cannolis are an Italian classic that you can make in your own kitchen. You can keep the filling plain or enhance it with cinnamon, pistachios, and espresso powder.  

I use semi-sweet dark chocolate chips for the garnish, but feel free to add some milk chocolate versions. You will need cannoli forms to make the signature shape, but some people use large wooden spokes. Don’t be scared of the deep frying process, either. 

After the first few rounds, you’ll have the method down to a tee. 

Calories Per Serving: 182

Preparation Time: 1 Hour 45 Minutes

19. Boston Cream Donuts 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/753367843929869188/

Donuts and coffee will always be classics. But, if you’ve made donuts before, then you know that working with an enriched dough can be difficult.

They need twice as much rising time as a pizza or pretzel dough, so plan ahead and let the dough rest until doubled in size. 

To fill your donuts, you don’t need to hollow them out. The dough is designed to create air pockets while frying. Simply make a slit in the middle and place the nozzle of your piping bag inside.

Press in the cream filling until you feel the piping bag naturally push back.  

Calories Per Serving: 220

Preparation Time: 4 Hours 45 Minutes

20. Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake 

Peanut butter and chocolate have this magic relationship where one works overtime to compliment the flavors of the other. So you have a flavor match made in heaven when you add coffee to that mix.

The great thing about this recipe is it turns a simple box cake mix with instant coffee into a luxurious, silky cake filled with rich condensed milk. 

Bake the cake and poke half-centimeter wide holes into it. Fill those holes with a condensed milk and peanut butter mixture and let the cake sit for four hours or overnight.

You can add peanut butter cups and dark chocolate as a topping or stick to the peanut butter frosting. 

Calories Per Serving: 360

Preparation Time: 4 Hours 50 Minutes

21. Chocolate Cheesecake 

There are many ways to dress up a cheesecake, but chocolate on top of chocolate deserves to be highlighted. This cake will test your patience, so be prepared to do a lot of waiting. 

The base is made from crushed Oreo biscuits, so you know you’ll get that bittersweet taste that pairs so well with any hot coffee. The espresso powder is just enough to boost the melted chocolate and cocoa.

To keep the cocoa from drying your cake, use a full-fat cream, and sift the powder. 

Calories Per Serving: 601

Preparation Time: 6 Hours 30 Minutes

RELATED: Why Is It Called Coffee Cake? (And What Is It?)

22. Cinnamon Crumble Cake 

With a simple sheet cake and cinnamon crumble mix, you can have a delicious crumble cake that rivals any store-bought option. To get a perfect consistency and crumble, add your melted butter a little at a time as you stir the cinnamon, sugar, and salt mixture. 

The sheet cake is pretty simple. It’s a classic vanilla recipe, so you don’t need much. Just eggs, vanilla, flour, sugar, salt, milk, and sour cream for added tartness. Serve this up with hot, plain black coffee or a light frappuccino. 

Calories Per Serving: 400

Preparation Time: 1 Hour

23. Cinnamon Rolls 

Toasty, cozy, and perfect with a flat white coffee, cinnamon rolls are something everyone should make at least once every year.

Synonymous with fall due to its warm spices and crispy glaze, cinnamon rolls are a simple enriched dough with a gooey, brown sugar filling that takes seconds to make. 

If you’re not a fan of kneading dough. Use a stand mixer but make sure you don’t over-knead your dough; otherwise, it’ll become tough and chewy.

The dough goes through two proofing stages, so let the rolls proof for around 30 minutes after they are assembled. 

Calories Per Serving: 436

Preparation Time: 1 Hour 25 Minutes

24. Peanut Butter Snickerdoodles 

The great thing about these cookies is that they don’t need room-temperature butter. Instead, they whip up just as fast with slightly chilled butter, thanks to the warm peanut butter and dough-like consistency.

As a result, the cookies have a thick, mountainous center and slim crispy edges. 

Cinnamon, a classic element of the snickerdoodle, complements the peanut butter well. Sprinkle the tops with coarse sea salt for heightened flavor and pair with a warm pumpkin spice latte. 

Calories Per Serving: 125

Preparation Time: 1 Hour

25. Tiramisu 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/959337158098195455/

We’d not get through this list without celebrating the landmark coffee-flavored dessert. The coffee-soaked ladyfingers are an iconic touch, and they melt so seamlessly with the mascarpone filling.

To achieve a truly decadent dessert, let the tiramisu sit overnight after assembly. 

Get double the coffee with a plain black cup of joe and a teaspoon of sugar. 

Calories Per Serving: 240

Preparation Time: 8 Hours 40 Minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is Coffee Served With Dessert? 

Coffee has a robust and rich flavor profile compared to sweet and decadent desserts, giving people a much-needed sugar break. That’s why most hosts will offer coffee as a beverage, whether in restaurants or at home. 

The coffee’s warmth allows the flavors to formulate in your mouth. It also acts as a palate cleanser. The dessert goes down smooth in a warm environment, and the bitterness highlights the sweetness. Especially if you have a chocolate-themed dessert. 

What Dessert Goes With Coffee? 

Most sweet desserts pair phenomenally with coffee, but tarts, cookies, cakes, and strudels are an easy win. Likewise, chocolate-themed desserts are ideal, as the coffee flavor enhances cocoa and salt, creating a clear and distinct taste. 

Think brownies, tiramisu, chocolate cake, and salted caramel cupcakes. Cinnamon desserts like cinnamon crumble cake also work well as the drink’s spice’s warmth is heightened. 

What Coffee Works Best With Desserts? 

Most desserts pair well with espresso, americano, Turkish coffee, doppio, and ristretto. You can also try instant Aeropress, drip, Moka pot, or pour-over coffee. You can use light, medium, or dark roast, depending on your desired taste and caffeine levels. 

Coffee varies according to region, so the taste is up to you and your guests. Popular beans include Ethiopian, Kenyan Arabica Blend, Colombian, Rwandan, and Guatemalan.

If you like cream in your coffee, try an Irish blend, caffe latte, cappuccino, flat white, cafe au lait, or macchiato.