Coffee Jelly with coffee-flavored gelatin generously drizzled with sweetened cream for a simple yet impressive dessert everyone is sure to love! It's a fun and delicious way to get your caffeine fix!
I am not really into drinking coffee like G, who has to have at least 2 to 3 cups black in the morning to start his day right, but I love this liquid gold's aroma and taste in both sweet and savory dishes. In fact, I have a long list of coffee-flavored favorites I make often.
If you're in the mood for an intense caffeine fix, check out my espresso royale icebox cake, coffee ribs, no-churn coffee brickle ice cream, and espresso toffee cookies recipes on my Onion Rings and Things blog and make sure to hop back here for the ultimate coffee indulgence, coffee jelly.
The first time I tried coffee jelly was during a trip to Japan many years ago, and it took but one bite of the melt-in-your-mouth gelatin drenched in sweet cream for me to be completely hooked. It was all the craze back then; every bakeshop, restaurant, or convenience store in the country sold one version or another of this dessert.
If you've been to Japan, you know everything there is outrageously expensive and prized to the roof. I clearly remember sitting in a quaint Tokyo coffee shop, relishing my very first taste of coffee jelly and almost choking on the last spoonful when I got the bill. $5 for a tiny cup, and that was in 1997!
As much as I loved the jiggly concoction and wanted more than a teeny weeny container, my cheap butt couldn't stand the thought of coughing up another $5 for a gelatin dessert I could just as easily and cheaply make at home.
Coffee jelly is such a quick and easy treat to make; it's all a matter of dissolving the gelatin in hot strong coffee, allowing it to cool and firm up, and drizzling the set gelatin with sweetened cream. Seriously, the hardest part of this recipe is the wait!
Helpful tips
- I like Knox brand for my coffee jelly and use about 4 cups of strong coffee to achieve the texture I like. Check your package instructions on how much liquid is recommended for that particular brand.
- I add about ยฝ cup of sugar to the gelatin but feel free to decrease or omit altogether if you want to cut down on the sweetness and want more coffee taste
- If you don't want to use condensed milk, swap with whole milk and sweeten the cream mixture with sugar to taste.
Serving suggestions
- Pour the gelatin mixture into a baking dish to harden and cut into cubes. Divide the cubes into serving bowls or cups and drizzle with the sweetened cream.
- Or pour the gelatin mixture into individual clear glass cups and top with the cream when gelatin is set to achieve a "cup of coffee" effect.
Ingredients
- 1 box (1 ounce) unflavored gelatin (I used Knox)
- 4 cups water
- 2 tablespoons instant coffee
- ยฝ cup sugar
- 1 can (14 ounces) condensed milk
- 1 can (12.8 ounces) table cream
Instructions
- In a large bowl, sprinkle the gelatin on the remaining 1 cup of cold water. Let stand for about 1 minute or until gelatin powder begins to bloom.
- In a sauce pot, bring 3 cups of the water to a boil. Add instant coffee and sugar. Stir until dissolved.
- Gradually add the 3 cups of boiling coffee to the bloomed gelatin and stir constantly for about 2 to 3 minutes or until gelatin is completely dissolved and no granules are visible.
- Transfer mixture into a baking dish and allow to completely cool. Refrigerate for about 2 to 3 hours or until completely set.
- In a bowl, combine condensed milk and table cream. Stir until blended.
- Cut set gelatin into 1-inch cubes and divide into serving cups. Top with sweetened cream.
- Garnish with whipped cream, if desired. Serve cold.
Notes
- I like Knox brand for my coffee jelly and use about 4 cups of strong coffee to achieve the texture I like. Check your package instructions on how much liquid is recommended for that particular brand.
Video
Nutrition Information
โThis website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.โ
Serena says
Is there a way to make this without using instant coffee? I absolutely love coffee jelly but most of the time it's way too sweet so I wanted to try to make a more bitter recipe (except I'm a terrible chef)
Lalaine says
Is the instant coffee too bland? Just add more tablespoons or maybe replace part of the liquid with espresso.
JOSE MANUEL APONTE says
Ok I made some the night before for my son's school snack but I tried some just now and its absolutely delicious. Now I'm sure he will love this dish for snack. Thank You so much for this recipe.
Lalaine says
You're welcome, I am you enjoyed it ๐
Lyka says
How long does coffee jelly last?
Lalaine says
If you store it without the cream, it should be good for a week in the fridge.
ella says
How about if the jelly and cream are mixed together, would it still last a week?
Ch La says
Made the recipe as stated. Really good stuff, very rich. Second time I made this with less condensed milk/heavy cream and more of the whipped cream in the blue tub. Mixed in some tequila crema (like kahlua) to the cream. Thanks for sharing.
Lalaine Manalo says
Hi Ch! Mm, that sounds very yummy!
Lin says
Hi Lalaine,
I like to try this, but in your comment, you mentioned you like to use 4 cups of strong coffee [I do too] but in your recipe you said 3 cups of boiling water, did you have to cool off a cup of that hot coffee to mix with the jelly?
Thanks ! Can't wait to make this!!
Liza Reyes says
Oh, I have made this several times already since I came across your recipe and I would love to give you a feedback. I enjoy fresh brewed coffee beans in a peculator (remembering how my dad used to love it too) so I would use it in making coffee jelly. Now, pressed for time for tomorrow's outing, I used instant espresso powder. I prefer a firmer gelatin, I like to use 2-packets Knox gelatin. I find that fresh whole milk is good enough for me since that's always what I have instead of cream. Thanks again for sharing. Oh, I have to tell you, I'm actually a green tea drinker, but when I do make coffee ( when I have the luxury of time), I would savor every sip.
Charlotte says
This was our first time trying coffee jelly and I have to say it was delicious! I'll definitely be checking out your other desserts!
Lalaine Manalo says
Hi Charlotte! I'm glad you like it. It's definitely one of my favorites. Have you tried our Mango Jelly? ๐
K says
What particular coffee do you prefer for this? ๐
Lalaine says
I used instant coffee granules, Folgers ๐
Char says
What exact cream should i use? Mine turned out to be creamy which i don't like.
Char says
Hi. May i know what specific brand and kind of instant coffee is used here ? Thanks. I've tried eating coffee jelly where the sauce has a slight hint of coffee as well. I wonder how is it made. Maybe you can share a tip ๐
Lalaine says
I use Folger's instant coffee ๐
G says
For serving to kids or young teens I use decaf. I find the most optimal texture is using agar agar powder like Mr. Gulaman.
Lalaine says
Thanks for the tip. ๐
Zilla says
I've never worked with canned Table Cream before. Would a good work around be heavy whipping cream or half n half? I have both of those in the fridge right now.
Lalaine says
Heavy cream is fine:)
Liza Reyes says
Have to make this. This was our (my sister and I) favorite dessert in a Japanese restaurant in SM Mall in Project 7 QC. Thank you for sharing. Your posts satisfy cravings I missed from the Philippines.
Lalaine says
You're welcome ๐
Liza Reyes says
So I made this using brewed espresso. Tried it with fresh milk sans condensed milk and cream -yummy. Next time I'll try 2-packets unflavored gelatin, like it a tad firmer. This will be perfect come summer. Thank you again.
Lalaine says
Glad you enjoyed it!
Fran says
I just stumbled on your website and I like what I see and read. I too am Pinoy living in southern CAL. I'm not much of a cook but once in a while, I feel like cooking Pinoy foods. And that's how I found your website while I'm looking for some Pinoy recipes. Keep it up!
Mistle says
I have never seen coffee like this before! I bet it taste amazing!
Lalaine says
It is a delicious spin on coffee desserts! I hope you give it a try. ๐