Nothing compliments a brisk autumn day like a warm cup of coffee — it perks you up, warms you up, and can even boost your mood. This season, add some extra flavor to your daily caffeine routine by eating, spiking, incorporating, and spicing-up to your favorite coffee.
EAT IT
Explore the world of delectable coffee-based foods! While I’m sure you are familiar with coffee ice cream and espresso truffles, there are many other delicious coffee-centered dishes such as:
Coffee brittle: Coffee brittle, one of the great, little-known treats of espresso sippers worldwide, is easy to make, caffeine-packed, and doubles as a wonderful homemade holiday gift. All you need is espresso or coffee beans, water, sugar, butter, and salt.
Double coffee pannacotta: Warm, rich, creamy coffee pannacotta lightly coated in a delectable chocolate sauce…could it get better!?! Click here for Jamie Oliver’s recipe.
Chocolate espresso muffins: Mornings can be busy, especially when you hit the snooze button a few too many times. This wonderful chocolate espresso muffin recipe is scrumptious and helps you multitask — coffee and breakfast in one! Tell yourself that when you reach for muffins two and three.
Espresso cheesecake: Espresso and chocolate swirl cheesecake is a wonderfully decadent, easy-to-make dessert that is sure to leave your dinner guests speechless. For this recipe, you need espresso powder rather than brewed coffee. If you don’t have espresso powder, fear not! Check out our espresso powder recipe. It’s quick, simple, and lets you use your favorite coffee in your soon-to-be favorite dessert.
SPIKE IT
Coffee is delicious but coffee graced with a shot of your favorite liquor is like a gift from the gods. We’re sure you’ve heard of an espresso martini or Irish coffee but there are many other delicious seasonal coffee-based cocktails (Cindy has an entire series devoted to them!). Below are some of our favorite autumn coffee cocktails recipes.
Siciliano: With Italian origin, you know it is sure to be tasty. This lovely, elegant drink calls for coffee, vermouth, amaro, simple syrup, and club soda. Click here for the recipe.
Hot White Russian: No, not that kind! We are talking about the drink. This sexy, smooth cocktail recipe requires your favorite coffee, heavy cream, coffee liquor, and vodka.
Anatolia Café: If you are in one of those moods where you want a little bit of everything — a little sweet, a little coffee, a little bite, this is the drink for you. To make the Anatolia Café you need coffee, Cognac, Cherry Liquor, and cinnamon syrup.
Holiday coffee: A Christmas favorite, this wonderful cocktail recipe will heat you to the core with whiskey, peppermint syrup, coffee, and whipped cream. We recommend topping this lovely little treat with cardamon, cinnamon, sugar, and nutmeg.
For more delicious coffee cocktails, check out Coffee and Cocktails with Cindy.
INCORPORATE IT
Replacing water or milk with coffee is a great way to perk up a familiar recipe. Below are some easy ways to incorporate coffee into your breakfast dishes and desserts.
Cocoa coffee: Next time you make hot chocolate, replace the water / milk with your favorite coffee. Alternatively, you could put a spoonful of cocoa mix into your coffee to create a rich, chocolatey cup.
Oatmeal: Swap some or all of the water / milk in your oatmeal for your favorite coffee. We know this may sound a bit odd but the oats will absorb the coffee while cooking, giving them a marvelous aroma and rich coffee taste. This delicious mix tastes particularly good with an added dash of maple syrup.
Baked goods: Next time you are baking a chocolate-based dessert, give your recipe a kick by swapping some or all of your water / milk with freshly brewed coffee. (Think Belgian chocolate cake or espresso brownies — yum!)
SPICE IT UP
If you follow our blog, you know we love (love!) creating coffee-based recipes. We realize dirtying the kitchen is sometimes too great a trade-off for getting that hint of seasonal flavor. Below are some easy coffee recipes that only require the ingredients and your mug:
Caffe con miel: With coffee, honey, warm milk, and a pinch of nutmeg, caffe con miel is a delicious, antioxidant-packed treat that nourishes the body, mind, and spirit!
Spicy cinnamon coffee: If you enjoy a sweet spicy cup, try a spicy cinnamon coffee. Add your coffee grounds to the filter basket along with 2 tablespoons brown sugar and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon. Add 1/8 teaspoon of vanilla extract to your bowl and brew. (Note: this recipe is for a full pot of coffee.)
Wishing you all a wonderful, warm, caffeinated day!
Coffee with the Queen 
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