Cold brew coffee: Use it in cakes, frosting, ice cream and more for a subtle coffee flavour

Cold brew coffee has become a favourite among many for its smooth, velvety taste and subtle sweetness, but did you know you can also use it in baking and desserts? Unlike hot-brewed coffee, cold brew is less acidic and has a naturally sweet, concentrated flavour, making it a versatile ingredient to enhance the taste of your favourite treats.

If you love a subtle hint of coffee in your desserts, like brownies or indulgent tiramisu, or want to create a unique twist to your frosting, cold brew offers a depth and complexity that pairs beautifully with both rich, chocolatey desserts and light, creamy confections.

When used with chocolate, it enhances the flavour of the chocolate without really giving a coffee taste. So whether you're a seasoned baker or experimenting with desserts for the first time, incorporate cold brew into your recipes to elevate them to café-level quality.

• Add cold brew to cake batter

Swap a portion of the liquid ingredients in your cake recipes with cold brew coffee to add subtle coffee flavour. Cold brew goes amazingly with chocolate and caramel cakes to make them even more rich and flavourful.

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• Make coffee-infused frosting

You can add cold brew to a buttercream or cream cheese frosting. This makes for a delightfully smooth and flavourful topping over your cakes or cupcakes.

• Incorporate into cookie dough

Add a few teaspoons of cold brew concentrate to cookie dough to give your cookies a coffee-infused twist. This works particularly well with chocolate chip or oatmeal cookies, enhancing their complexity without overpowering them.

• Create coffee-flavoured ice cream

Cold brew is an excellent base for homemade coffee ice cream. Mix it into your cream and sugar base before churning, resulting in a creamy, caffeinated treat with a sophisticated flavour.

• Use in brownies or chocolate desserts

Coffee and chocolate are a classic pairing. Add a splash of cold brew to your brownie batter or chocolate pudding to intensify the chocolate flavour while adding a hint of coffee.

• Craft coffee-flavoured syrups

Reduce cold brew with sugar over low heat to create a rich coffee syrup. Drizzle it over pancakes, waffles, or ice cream for an extra layer of flavour.

• Make tiramisu with cold brew

Replace traditional espresso with cold brew coffee in tiramisu. Soak the ladyfingers in cold brew for a smoother, less acidic coffee taste that complements the mascarpone cream perfectly.

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• Add to smoothies or milkshakes

For a quick dessert, blend cold brew with ice cream, milk, and a dash of vanilla extract to make a coffee milkshake. Its bold yet smooth flavour creates a creamy and satisfying treat.

• Enhance chocolate glaze

Mix cold brew into melted chocolate or ganache for glazing cakes, éclairs, or doughnuts. The coffee adds a depth of flavour that complements the glaze’s sweetness.

Using cold brew coffee in baking and desserts is a simple way to bring out unique and sophisticated flavours in your creations. With its versatility and rich taste, cold brew opens up a world of possibilities for anyone with a love of coffee and sweets.