Coffee jelly is from England, but I haven’t seen it since my grandparents’ time. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it is one of the most beloved desserts in Japan, especially in the summer.
Contents
Coffee jelly recipe
Coffee jelly is a chilled, gelatin-based dessert with rich coffee flavors. It is made from strong brewed coffee, sugar, and a gelling agent such as gelatin or kanten (agar-agar).
The dessert is known for its translucent, jiggly texture and bold coffee flavor. It’s a refreshing and unique way to enjoy coffee, especially during hot weather. This jelly is quite similar to the fruit jelly recipe.
You can serve the jelly on its own or cut it into cubes and serve it with toppings such as whipped cream, fresh berries, sweetened condensed milk, whipped yogurt, or ice cream. You can drizzle chocolate or caramel sauce over the coffee jelly or add chocolate shavings for a mocha-like flavor.
The jelly can be used as a base for ice cream or cookies. You can add it to milkshakes, iced coffee, or unsweetened milk for a chewy texture.
Here is how to make Japanese Coffee Jelly.
Japanese Coffee Jelly
Nutrition
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp agar-agar powder or gelatin powder
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp instant coffee powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract optional
- Plain cream or milk or whipped cream optional
Instructions
- Combine 1 tablespoon of agar-agar or gelatin powder in a saucepan with 1 1/2 cups water. Stir and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the gelatin is fully dissolved.
- Add 1/2 cup sugar, vanilla extract, and 3 tablespoons instant coffee powder to the boiling mixture. Stir until everything is well combined.
- Turn off the heat, remove it, and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Pour the coffee mixture into a square or rectangular mold. Allow it to cool to room temperature before refrigerating.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until the jelly is fully set.
- Once the coffee jelly is set, carefully remove it from the mold and place it on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut the jelly into small cubes of your desired size.
- Serve the coffee jelly cubes with plain cream or milk. Top with whipped cream if desired.
Notes
SIMILAR RECIPES
Variations
There are many variations of the coffee jelly:
- Flavor Enhancements
- Add a shot of espresso for a stronger coffee flavor.
- Use flavored coffee, like hazelnut or vanilla, for unique taste notes in the jelly.
- Texture Adjustments adjust the amount of kanten or gelatin to control the texture. Use more for a firm jelly that’s easy to slice or less for a softer jelly to enjoy in bowls.
- Sugar-Free Options
- Stevia drops require minimal quantity adjustments.
- Sugar-free syrups require careful measurement to avoid affecting the texture.
- Erythritol has the closest texture to sugar.
- Allulose has superior dissolution.
- Xylitol smooths the texture but requires temperature adjustments.