76 Coffee Desserts for a Sweet Pick-Me-Up

Cappuccino Swirl Bars Recipe

Don’t be fooled: These bar cookies may look fancy, but store-bought wafer cookies are the secret to the chocolate crust. Make these coffee-flavored beauties in advance and refrigerate them up to three days.

Caramel-Mocha-Sea Salt Cupcakes Recipe

This cupcake is a combination of salty and sweet blended with mocha and is one of the most requested flavors at Dreamcakes Bakery.

Kahlúa Cookie Dough Bites Recipe

If you're only going to have "a bite" of dessert, this is the bite to have.

Coffee Flour Brownie à la Mode Recipe

Adding a bit of coffee flour to box brownie mix not only contributes richer flavor and a slight caffeine boost, but also delivers a whopping dose of potassium. Just 1 tablespoon of coffee flour contains 310 mg of potassium. Topped off with a scoop of coffee ice cream, this dessert is a mocha-lover’s paradise. If you want to make these brownies completely gluten-free (coffee flour is naturally gluten-free), use your favortite gluten-free brownie mix. 

Pumpkin Spice Latte Pie with Coffee Liqueur Whipped Cream Recipe

Whether or not you’re a fan of the infamous, seasonal Starbuck’s beverage, we’re willing to bet you won’t have any regrets about swapping your typical pumpkin pie for this caffeinated uptake this Thanksgiving. We were surprised by just how amazing a hint of coffee sets off creamy, spiced pumpkin pie filling, but the depth of rich flavor speaks for itself—this PSL-inspired pie is in a league of it’s own. Served with a coffee liqueur-spiked whipped cream, this fall dessert reaches a level of decadence a basic pumpkin pie could only dream of. Note: If you opt to create a decorative lattice effect as we did here, be very careful when placing your dough strips atop the pie—the pie’s surface will be very hot and not fully set.

Coffee Liqueur Affogato with Chocolate Whipped Cream Recipe

This decadent dessert is ridiculously easy to make and is based around 4 of our absolute favorite things: caffeine, booze, ice cream, and chocolate. An adffogato is a traditional coffee-flavored dessert that typically looks like a scoop of creamy gelato topped off with a pour of hot espresso. A shot of liqueur is sometimes added as well to kick things up a notch (as we do in the recipe below). We opted for coffee liqueur here, but feel free to substitute in almond liqueur or leave the booze out if you prefer. Intensely rich, a small serving of adffogato is enough to satisfy. A perfect after-dinner treat for two, this grown-up sundae is sure to become a new favorite. If you find yourself with leftover chocolate whipped cream—or “accidentally” double the whipped cream to guarantee you’ll find yourself with leftovers—use it to top anything from morning waffles and French toast to shortcakes and pie. 

Mocha Balls Recipe

Coat in chocolate two at a time.

Caramel Frappuccino Recipe

This easy, copycat version of your favorite coffee shop drink tastes just like the real thing!

Mocha Puppy Chow Recipe

A teaspoon of instant espresso powder and rich dark chocolate morsels are all that's needed to add depth and a slight coffee-flavoring to classic puppy chow. You can use chocolate cereal in place of plain cereal for extra-chocolatey flavor. This delicious homemade chocolate-cereal treat comes together in less than 10 minutes for an easy, sweet, and portable snack. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Coffee-Hazelnut Pie Recipe

Shake up your Thanksgiving buffet with this incredible offering. Taking inspiration from the best part of classic pecan pie (the sweet goo!), this nutty treat serves several tasty upgrades while still cutting sugar by more than a third. Toasted hazelnuts contribute supreme crunch and a sweetness unsurpassed by any other nut, while instant coffee and coffee liqueur deepen the flavor with delightfully bitter nuances. And that dollop of chocolate-hazelnut spread? That's simply a touch of sweet genius, as is the sprinkling of flaky salt on top. Make the pie up to a day ahead, and refrigerate; be sure to let it sit at room temperature for about an hour before serving to wake up all the flavors.

Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Coffee Glaze Recipe

Full of warming fall flavors, these easy Pumpkin Spice Cookies are just about the perfect after-dinner treat to pair with a cup of coffee. After all, they’re basically everyone’s favorite seasonal latte delivered in cookie form. If you plan to share these pumpkin spice cookies at any sort of fall potluck and nut allergies are a concern, you can certainly leave the ground pecans out of the batter—simply replace them with 1/3 cup more all-purpose flour.

If you’d rather skip the booze in the coffee glaze, try replacing it with 2-3 tablespoons of cold coffee. Or you can opt for a different glaze altogether; the maple glaze used here or this toasty tahini glaze would both work great for these pumpkin cookies. 

Hungry for more? Check out our 25 Best Pumpkin Spice Recipes next. 

Mocha Java Cakes Recipe

Even the cook will have a hard time believing these litte chocolate-filled chocolate cakes take less than 45 minutes to assemble and bake.

Mocha-Chocolate Shortbread Recipe

Chocolate-covered shortbread is the yummy end to a wonderful meal. You're likely to have all of the ingredients for this recipe stocked in the pantry.

Fudgy Mocha-Toffee Brownies Recipe

Coffee, toffee, and chocolate come together for a triple-threat of fabulous flavor in this brownie recipe.

Pumpkin-Espresso Tiramisù Recipe

Make Ahead: Loosely wrap baked and cooled tiramisù in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Easy Mocha Chip Ice-Cream Cake Recipe

This frozen dessert comes together quickly then just needs a little time to set in the freezer. Use premium-quality ice cream for rich, luscious results.

Cappuccino Blossoms Recipe

These coffee-flavored cookies have relatively small amounts of granulated and light brown sugar becasuse the coffee liqueur and the dark chocolate kisses add a good bit of sweetness. Also, you might want to note that this is an egg-free recipe.

Mocha Chocolate Cake Recipe

Chocolate-Coffee Cheesecake Tartlets Recipe

Treat yourself to this bite-size dessert featuring coffee-flavored chocolate cheesecake in a mini phyllo shell.  Easy pick-up desserts like this one are perfect for entertaining, so you may want to double the recipe. You can make them ahead and chill them overnight.

Vanilla Bean-Espresso Crème Brûlée Recipe

Coffee Angel Food Cake with Fudge Glaze Recipe

Coffee and Doughnuts Ice Cream Sandwiches Recipe

Take a tip from cartoon policemen and have doughnuts and coffee for breakfast. But instead of a latte and a chocolate-sprinkled taking up both hands (so difficult to balance while driving to work!) smash both together, add some ice cream for good measure. We take full responsibility for the deliciousness of coffee and doughnuts ice cream sandwiches; you only have to tackle to sugar rush.

If you’re feeling ambitious, fry up a batch of your own doughnuts—here we’ve opted for pre-made. As for the coffee ice cream, you can DIY that as well, or just reach for the carton in your freezer. Soften the ice cream slightly, then smear it onto a halved doughnut. And just in case that wasn’t enough for you, we rolled the exposed ice cream sides in our favorite cereals. Yeah, we’re not holding anything back.

Coffee and Doughnuts Ice Cream Sandwiches

Nutella Iced Coffee Recipe

Don’t be surprised if this decadent, chocolatey twist on a typical iced coffee becomes your #1 caffeinated beverage of choice. While you can also prepare this Nutella Iced Coffee by whisking the ingredients together by hand, the blender makes creating a perfectly smooth beverage easy work. P.S. You do not want to skip out on the coffee ice cubes—they make this cool caffeine hit all the more delicious. To make them, simply freeze lightly sweetened coffee (you can use leftovers from your morning pot) in ice cube trays overnight. 

Espresso Crinkles Recipe

Lightly coat your hands with flour to make rolling the dough into balls easier. The dough freezes well. Freeze the dough after step 1, thaw in the refrigerator, then proceed with step 2. The powdered sugar coating gives these cookies an appealing cracked finish. Serve with coffee to echo the espresso.

Mocha-Pistachio Biscotti Recipe

"Biscotti" is an Italian word referring to hard, crunchy, twice-baked cookies. These biscotti can be kept for weeks in an airtight container, but are pretty enough to be wrapped in clear plastic with a ribbon and given as a gift.

Decadent Chocolate-Espresso Cheesecake Recipe

Dessert and coffee all in one slice, this over-the-top cheesecake is a surefire crowd-pleaser. To garnish with chocolate shards, melt dark bittersweet chocolate, and spread it in a thin layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Let it stand until set, and break into pieces.

Cappuccino-Walnut Toffee Recipe

Some brands of butter have slightly higher water content than others. We prefer Land O'Lakes butter for this recipe.

Bittersweet Brownies Recipe

The highlight of fudgy brownies is their crisp sugar crust on top. Instant espresso intensifies the chocolate flavor for this not-too-sweet dessert.

Espresso-Walnut Cake Recipe

This cake was screaming for a streusel topping, so we actually used two bowls.

Mocha-Dark Chocolate Chunk Brownies Recipe

Low in calories, fat, and cholesterol but rich in decadent chocolate flavor, these brownies tout the heart-health benefits associated with coffee and dark chocolate.

Mocha Chocolate Mousse Recipe

This seriously easy and decadent mousse hides a smart secret: reduced-sodium soy sauce. Just 1/2 teaspoon elevates the rich dark chocolate flavor. Add crunch with cookies to contrast the mousse's silky texture. Heating store-bought shortbread in the oven opens up the flavors of the buttery cookies.

Espresso Crepes with Ice Cream and Dark Chocolate Sauce Recipe

Since both the crepes and chocolate sauce can be made ahead, this is the simplest of desserts. If you make the sauce ahead, warm it just before serving.

Profiteroles with Coffee Whipped Cream Recipe

These small cream puffs are surprisingly easy to make. Use a 1-inch scoop coated with cooking spray to drop dough onto baking sheet. Store cooled, unfilled puffs in an airtight container up to 2 days.

Mocha Truffle Cake Recipe

A quick spin in the food processor makes this cake's prep easy enough for a weeknight dessert for your family. Its bold chocolate flavor is so satisfying that it's unlikely you'll be able to think about seconds.

Café au Lait Chiffon Pie Recipe

Double-strength coffee is reduced to a potent syrup that is mixed with milk to make a café au lait-flavored filling. Traditional chiffon pies are made with gelatin, but this simpler version uses marshmallows to achieve its volume and texture. Since the filling is not cooked, be sure to use pasteurized egg whites.

Chocolate-Coffee Cheesecake With Mocha Sauce Recipe

SOUTHERN DESSERTS Grand Prize Winner. PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese Brand Winner.  Serve each slice with a dollop of whipped cream, fresh raspberries, and fresh mint sprigs, if desired.

Almond-Mocha Mousse Recipe

Coffee Waffles Recipe

These waffles are packed with coffee flavor! Serve with syrup for breakfast, or add a scoop of ice cream and caramel sauce for a fun dessert.

Mocha-Apple Cake with Browned Butter Frosting Recipe

Espresso Truffles Recipe

Mocha-Espresso Cream Pie Recipe

Mocha-Espresso Cream Pie is a chocolate-lover's dream. A crunchy cookie crust is filled with a decadent chocolate filling before being topped off with Coffee Whipped Cream.

Mocha Coffee Cake with Espresso Glaze Recipe

This recipe makes a rich, moist cake. It tastes even better the next day.

Mocha Almond Fudge Recipe

There are few treats in this world better than a smooth, chocolatey, decadent morsel of fudge, and this recipe is one of the best we've tried.

Mocha-Pecan Mud Pie Recipe

Round out your meal with a slice of decadent mocha-pecan mud pie. This dessert is so rich, your guests will never know it was lightened.

Chocolate-Espresso Pound Cake Truffles Recipe

Decadent flavors unite in Chocolate-Espresso Pound Cake Truffles. The truffles start with our Million Dollar Pound Cake, are mixed with espresso, Vanilla Buttercream Frosting and cocoa, and end as bite-size delights--perfect for special occasions and gift giving.

Mocha Cookies Recipe

Coffee-Drenched Ice Cream with Banana and Peanuts Recipe

Substitute strong brewed coffee for the espresso, or use instant coffee/espresso granules to make the coffee. A vegetable peeler is a great tool to make chocolate curls from a bar of chocolate.

Double Coffee Tiramisù Recipe

This chilled dessert recipe makes three servings, so plan to enjoy the two extra servings the next day.

Cocoa-Coffee Meringue Kisses Recipe

Mocha Spanish Cream Recipe

Milk Chocolate Mocha Sauce Recipe

Mocha Cake with Fluffy Meringue Topping Recipe

A luscious cake perfect for wowing a crowd.

Since 2006, readers have professed their love for contest winner Anna Ginsberg's One-Bowl Chocolate Mocha Cream Cake, touting it as the moistest cake ever. We agree--the cake is incredible. But online reviews suggested that the topping could use some tweaking. Instead of the original "mocha cream" of whipped topping, marshmallow creme, and coffee, we now have a creamy, less-sweet meringue. We also replaced reduced-fat mayonnaise (yes, mayo--it's the secret ingredient that makes for a fantastically moist cake) with canola mayo, our current product of choice.

Coffee-Drizzled Cream Cheese Pie Recipe

Chocolate-Espresso Pots de Crème Recipe

Using premium chocolate guarantees velvety texture for this decadent dessert. Look for chocolate in specialty grocery stores.

Tiramisu Bread Pudding Recipe

Drizzled with a rich mascarpone sauce, this moist, coffee and Kahlúa-flavored bread pudding features the flavors of tiramisu, a favorite Italian dessert.

Mocha Affogato with Vanilla Cream Recipe

Store-bought ice cream serves as the base for this complex-flavored, creamy treat.

Tiramisu Ice Cream Cake Recipe

Tiramisu Ice Cream Cake features a refreshing twist to this Italian specialty dessert for the perfect end to a summer meal.

Lightened Chocolate-Coffee Cheesecake With Mocha Sauce Recipe

Mocha Pie with Coffee Whipped Cream Recipe

This pie comes together quickly and won't hog oven space as it chills and sets in the fridge (a great make-ahead option). You can use decaf instant coffee granules instead of regular, or leave them out entirely for a silky-smooth chocolate pie with vanilla topping.

Mocha Pudding Cake Recipe

A decadent dessert couldn't be easier than this ooey-gooey chocolate cake prepared in a slow cooker. A hint of instant coffee pairs perfectly with the unsweetened cocoa and intensely enriches the flavor.

Espresso Brownie Cake Recipe

Notes: If you don't have a pan with a removable rim, bake the brownies in a regular 8- or 9-inch square or round baking pan and use a spatula to remove servings.

Mocha Banana Split Recipe

On a hot summer day, there's nothing better than a creamy, and deliciously sweet Mocha Banana Split. Make sure you love a kick of coffee flavor!

Mocha Double-Fudge Brownies Recipe

Espresso Cream Puffs Recipe

Cream puffs never go out of style, but we added espresso powder to give these a new flavor. To lighten them, we decreased the butter in the puffs and used fat-free milk. We also added gelatin and whipped topping to the pastry cream for an incredibly light and creamy filling that holds up well.

Chocolate Chip-Coffee Muffins Recipe

Every bite of Chocolate Chip-Coffee Muffins delivers a jolt of coffee flavor and chunks of chocolate. Enjoy the muffins each morning with your favorite cup of joe.

Chocolate Espresso Cakes Recipe

For this recipe, we used 3/4-cup paper baking molds for panettone (by Novacart; $0.25 each; surlatable.com).

Grasshopper Mocha Shake Recipe

Fresh mint, chocolate sorbet, and chocolate wafer cookies make this an intensely enjoyable mint-chocolate dessert.

Coffee Cupcakes Recipe

Get your caffeine fix in the morning with these coffee cupcakes. If you prefer a single-layer cake to cupcakes, use a 9-inch square baking pan or round cake pan. Bake the cake at 350º for 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Mocha-Chocolate Trifle Recipe

A half cup of Kahlúa gives this mocha-chocolate trifle a kick. Chocolate lovers will appreciate this dessert that's lighter in calories but big on taste. Don't skip the toffee, you'll want that crunch!

Coffee Baba au Rhum Recipe

Coffee Baba au Rhum is our shortcut revival of the original sophisticated French confection. You'll earn "ooh la las" from your luncheon or teatime crowd when your serve them servings of Coffee Baba au Rhum.

Mocha Fudge Bread Pudding Recipe

"This bread pudding is best served warm. I put it in the oven just as we are sitting down to dinner so it's done when we're ready for dessert." -Kristin Fontaine, Burlington, VT