If you adore a rich, silky dessert that perfectly marries the bold, aromatic flavor of coffee with a creamy, indulgent texture, then this Coffee Pudding Recipe is your new best friend. Imagine a smooth, luscious pudding that carries the warm essence of coffee in every spoonful—simple to make yet elegantly satisfying. Whether you’re winding down after a long day or impressing guests with a homemade treat, this Coffee Pudding Recipe hits every note for a delightful coffee-infused dessert experience.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for straightforward ingredients that combine to create a dessert that’s velvety, flavorful, and comforting. Each component plays a critical role in the final texture and taste, from the luxurious creaminess of whole milk and heavy cream to the robust burst of instant coffee that infuses every bite with rich character.
- Whole milk: A creamy base that gives the pudding its smooth texture without being too heavy.
- Heavy cream: Adds richness and lusciousness that makes the pudding feel indulgent and silky.
- Instant coffee: The star ingredient providing bold coffee flavor quickly and evenly throughout the pudding.
- Granulated sugar: Balances the bitterness of coffee with just the right amount of sweetness.
- Large egg yolks: These give the pudding structure and a creamy consistency when cooked carefully.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a hint of warmth and depth, enhancing the overall flavor.
- Cornstarch: The natural thickener that helps achieve the perfect pudding body without heaviness.
- Salt: Just a pinch to elevate and balance the sweetness and coffee notes.
How to Make Coffee Pudding Recipe
Step 1: Heat the Milk and Cream
Start by pouring the whole milk and heavy cream into a medium saucepan. Place it over medium heat, stirring occasionally so the two liquids blend smoothly together. This mixture is the luscious foundation of your pudding, setting the stage for all the flavors to come.
Step 2: Dissolve the Coffee
Now, sprinkle the instant coffee into the warm milk and cream mixture. Continue stirring until the coffee granules melt completely, giving the mixture a rich, deep color and robust aroma. This step is where the magic of that intense coffee flavor begins.
Step 3: Bring to a Gentle Simmer
Carefully heat the coffee-cream mixture until it almost reaches a simmer point, stirring frequently to avoid burning or forming a skin. This gentle warming intensifies the flavor without compromising the creamy texture you want in your pudding.
Step 4: Whisk the Egg Mixture
While the milk mixture warms up, whisk together the granulated sugar, egg yolks, cornstarch, and salt in a separate bowl until everything is fully combined and smooth. This blend is essential to thicken the pudding and impart that silky mouthfeel.
Step 5: Temper the Eggs
Remove the warm milk mixture from the heat and slowly add a small amount into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. This technique, called tempering, prevents the eggs from scrambling and ensures your pudding sets beautifully smooth.
Step 6: Combine and Cook the Pudding
Gradually whisk the rest of the warm mixture into the eggs, then pour everything back into the saucepan. Return the pan to medium heat and cook, whisking consistently, until the pudding thickens and elegantly coats the back of a spoon—usually about 4 to 5 minutes.
Step 7: Add Vanilla and Strain
Once thickened, take the pudding off the heat and stir in the vanilla extract for an extra layer of flavor. Push the warm pudding through a fine mesh strainer into a clean bowl to ensure a velvety texture free from lumps or cooked egg bits.
Step 8: Chill to Set
Let the pudding cool just enough to handle, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap pressed directly on the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Pop it into the fridge and let it chill for at least a couple of hours until it reaches the perfect creamy firmness.
How to Serve Coffee Pudding Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance your Coffee Pudding Recipe by topping it with a dollop of freshly whipped cream for extra creaminess and a sprinkle of cocoa powder or finely grated dark chocolate to deepen the coffee experience. Toasted nuts or a few coffee beans also add a nice textural contrast and visual appeal.
Side Dishes
Pairing your coffee pudding with crisp biscotti, buttery shortbread cookies, or a slice of pound cake makes for a delightful afternoon treat. These accompaniments soak up the pudding’s richness, providing a balance of crunchy and creamy in every bite.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the pudding in individual glass cups to showcase its beautiful color and smooth texture. For a fun twist, layer it with crushed cookies or caramel sauce, turning your Coffee Pudding Recipe into an elegant parfait. Small espresso cups or vintage teacups also add a charming touch to presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your coffee pudding will keep wonderfully fresh when stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. This makes it a perfect make-ahead dessert for gatherings or a sweet treat ready to enjoy any time.
Freezing
While you technically can freeze coffee pudding, its delicate texture might change upon thawing, becoming slightly grainy. For the best taste and consistency, enjoy it fresh or refrigerated rather than frozen.
Reheating
If you prefer your coffee pudding warm, gently reheat it over low heat on the stove or in the microwave, stirring frequently to maintain its silky consistency. Avoid overheating to prevent curdling, and enjoy the comforting warmth of this delicious dessert.
FAQs
Can I use brewed coffee instead of instant coffee?
Instant coffee works best here because it dissolves completely, ensuring a smooth texture without any grit. Using brewed coffee could make the pudding watery and affect the consistency, so it’s best to stick with instant for this recipe.
Is it possible to make this pudding dairy-free?
Yes! You can substitute the whole milk and heavy cream with plant-based alternatives like coconut milk and coconut cream. Keep in mind that this will slightly alter the flavor and texture, but the pudding will still be delicious.
How long does the pudding take to set in the fridge?
Typically, letting the pudding chill for at least 2 hours allows it to firm up nicely. For best results, overnight chilling is ideal to fully develop flavors and texture.
Can I double the recipe for a larger batch?
Absolutely! The recipe scales up well. Just be sure to use a larger saucepan and keep stirring diligently during cooking to avoid lumps or burning.
What’s the best way to avoid lumps in the pudding?
Tempering the eggs carefully by whisking in the hot milk mixture slowly is key to preventing lumps. Also, straining the pudding after cooking helps achieve that perfectly smooth finish.
Final Thoughts
This Coffee Pudding Recipe is a luxurious yet simple dessert that’s sure to become a beloved classic in your kitchen. Its silky texture and bold coffee flavor offer such a comforting and sophisticated finish to any meal. I can’t wait for you to try it and discover just how easy it is to create something so special that tastes like a little celebration in every spoonful!
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Coffee Pudding Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 10m
- Cook Time: 0h 20m
- Total Time: 0h 30m
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This creamy Coffee Pudding combines rich whole milk, heavy cream, and instant coffee to create a luscious dessert. Tempered egg yolks and cornstarch thicken the mixture to a smooth, velvety consistency, while vanilla extract enhances the flavor. Served chilled, this decadent pudding offers a delightful coffee-infused treat perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Liquid Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons instant coffee
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Other Ingredients
- 4 large egg yolks
Instructions
- Combine Milk and Cream: Pour the whole milk and heavy cream into a medium saucepan.
- Heat Milk Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir occasionally to combine the milk and cream.
- Add Instant Coffee: Add the instant coffee to the saucepan and continue stirring until the coffee dissolves completely into the milk-cream mixture.
- Warm the Mixture: Heat the mixture until it is just about to simmer, stirring regularly to prevent it from scorching.
- Whisk Egg Mixture: While heating, whisk granulated sugar, egg yolks, cornstarch, and salt in a separate medium bowl until smooth and fully combined.
- Remove Milk from Heat: Once hot, remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Temper the Eggs: Slowly pour a small amount of the hot milk mixture into the bowl with the egg yolks, whisking constantly to temper the eggs and avoid curdling.
- Combine Egg and Milk Mixtures: Gradually add more hot milk mixture to the egg yolks, whisking continuously until smooth and fully combined.
- Return to Heat: Pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan.
- Cook Until Thickened: Return the saucepan to medium heat and cook the mixture, whisking constantly, for about 4-5 minutes until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Remove from Heat: Take the saucepan off the heat once the pudding reaches desired thickness.
- Add Vanilla Extract: Stir in the vanilla extract and whisk until fully incorporated.
- Strain Pudding: Pour the pudding through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean bowl to remove any lumps or cooked egg bits.
- Cool Slightly: Allow the pudding to cool slightly before covering with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface to prevent skin formation.
- Chill: Place the covered pudding in the refrigerator to chill completely before serving.
Notes
- Tempering the eggs is essential to prevent curdling and achieve a smooth pudding texture.
- Pressing plastic wrap directly on the pudding surface prevents an unwanted skin from forming.
- The pudding can be garnished with whipped cream or chocolate shavings for added decadence.
- For a stronger coffee flavor, increase instant coffee to 4 tablespoons.
- Ensure constant whisking during cooking to avoid lumps and scorching.
