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 do love the aroma and taste of this liquid gold 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, baby back ribs with coffee-whiskey BBQ sauce 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 bake shop, 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 verrry small 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 very 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!
I like Knox for my coffee jelly and use about 4 cups of strong coffee to achieve the texture I like. Please make sure to check your package instructions on how much liquid is recommended for that particular brand. I add about 1/2 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 of the coffee taste.
You can pour the gelatin mixture into a baking dish to harden and then cut into cubes when ready to serve or use individual clear glass cups and top with the cream when gelatin is set to achieve a “cup of coffee” effect. Either way, this coffee jelly is a fun dessert everyone (except the kiddos unless you want them jumping all over the place) is sure to love. Enjoy!
Watch the video and see how easy it is to make this delicious coffee dessert:
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!
- 1 box (1 ounce) unflavored gelatin (I used Knox)
- 4 cups water
- 2 tablespoons instant coffee
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 can (14 ounces) condensed milk
- 1 can (12.8 ounces) table cream
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In a sauce pot, bring 3 cups of the water to a boil. Add instant coffee and sugar. Stir until dissolved.
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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.
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Gradually add the 3 cups of boiling coffee and stir constantly for about 2 to 3 minutes or until gelatin is completely dissolved and no granules are visible.
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Transfer mixture into a baking dish and allow to completely cool. Refrigerate for about 2 to 3 hours or until completely set.
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In a bowl, combine condensed milk and table cream. Stir until blended.
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Cut set gelatin into 1-inch cubes and divide into serving cups. Top with sweetened cream. Garnish with whipped cream, if desired. Serve cold.
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…
You’re welcome 🙂
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)
Is the instant coffee too bland? Just add more tablespoons or maybe replace part of the liquid with espresso.
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.
You’re welcome, I am you enjoyed it 🙂
How long does coffee jelly last?
If you store it without the cream, it should be good for a week in the fridge.
What particular coffee do you prefer for this? 😊
I used instant coffee granules, Folgers 🙂
For serving to kids or young teens I use decaf. I find the most optimal texture is using agar agar powder like Mr. Gulaman.
Thanks for the tip. 🙂
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.
Heavy cream is fine:)
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.
You’re welcome 🙂
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.
Glad you enjoyed it!
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!
I have never seen coffee like this before! I bet it taste amazing!
It is a delicious spin on coffee desserts! I hope you give it a try. 🙂