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
Ning says
Why is the coffee does not set? Iโve followed the instructions exactly. ๐
Lalaine Manalo says
I am sorry the recipe didn't work well for you. Did you measure the ingredients correctly? Change in the amounts of liquid use will affect how the gelatin set. What brand did you use? Some brands require more or less amounts than the recipe.
Roger Dorog says
I want to know how to make coffe jelly
Cara says
Hi,
Do u use colored gelatin? Or transparent one?
Thanks ๐
Lalaine Manalo says
I use clear gelatin ๐
Linda says
The Nestles table cream you used..is that the same as dry powdered Coffeemate?
Lalaine Manalo says
Hi Linda! No, they are not the same. You can usually find it in Filipino/Asian grocery stores.
Zuseth umali says
Ilang araw po bago masira ang coffee jelly?
Clarizze says
Is it okay to not use all purpose cream?
Lalaine Manalo says
Yes, you can use all-purpose cream ๐
Emilyn says
Thanks Ma'am Lalaine for this refreshing recipe. I loved it. I made it and my kids and their friends loved it. Some even take home some of it so no left overs for me. Thank you again.
Lalaine Manalo says
You're welcome, Emilyn. I am glad everyone liked it. It's my favorite desserts, especially now that the weather is getting warmer ๐
Myra Javier says
Ang sarap tlga neto . Gumawa ako neto kahapon, grabe dabest tlga. meron pa ngaun sa bahay.
Lalaine Manalo says
It's really good, isn't it, Myra?
wendy says
what kind of instant coffee do.you use?
Lalaine says
I used Folgers coffee ๐
Josie says
Is table cream the same with all puspose cream?? Thanks
Lalaine says
Yes, table cream is the same as the Nestle's all-purpose cream ๐
Geraldine C. Anacleto says
Tnk u very much for your wonderful recipe๐
I've just tried it for my ate's birthday๐
Lalaine says
Yay! I am glad you enjoyed it. Belated Happy Birthday to your ate ๐
Rizza says
Thanks for sharing your recipe ๐ it turned out great! ๐
Lalaine says
I am glad you enjoyed it!
Rose says
how long it will last?
Bettina Alvela says
Can I use Thick cream for the table cream?
Lea says
Table cream is like nestle cream? No water use together with condensed and table cream when mixed?
Lalaine says
Yes, table cream is Nestle's cream :). No water added. if you want to dilute the cream a little, use milk.
belle says
I love making it and I put ice cube on my coffee jelly and reddi whip on the top... I love it
My friend always asking me to make it to bring for the parties ...
Thank you for sharing this...
Lalaine says
You're welcome ๐
Krissia says
Hello po did you use the whole box ng knox po like 4 packets kase nasa loob ng 1 box or 1 packet lang po sa 8 serving na to? Salamat.