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Coffee Jelly

Japanese · Dessert · Easy

Coffee Jelly

Total
4 hr 20 min
Prep
4 hr 15 min
Serves
4
Calories
190
Jump to recipe

Cold coffee cubes wobble beneath a ribbon of sweetened cream. Gelatin sets a strong brew into a clean, lightly sweet dessert.

A firm but tender set lets Coffee Jelly hold neat edges while yielding easily to a spoon. The coffee itself stays only lightly sweetened, with condensed milk and cream providing a richer contrast at the table.

Brew coffee stronger than you would drink it with milk, because chilling dulls its aroma. Bloom the gelatin in cool water before adding the hot coffee so it dissolves without lumps.

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Method

  1. Pour the cold water into a heatproof bowl and sprinkle the gelatin evenly over it. Leave for until the powder has swollen and absorbed the water.

  2. Heat the brewed coffee and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat for , stirring until the sugar dissolves and the coffee is steaming. Remove from the heat and whisk into the bloomed gelatin until completely dissolved.

  3. Pour into an 8-inch square dish. Cool for , then refrigerate for until firmly set.

  4. Stir the heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk together. Cut the jelly into cubes, divide among four glasses and spoon the cream mixture over them.

Forkue tips

  • Decaffeinated coffee works equally well; choose a brew with enough body to taste clear when cold.

Storing and reheating

Refrigerate the jelly covered for up to 4 days and the cream mixture separately for up to 3 days. Add cream just before serving. Do not freeze; thawed gelatin releases water and loses its smooth texture.

Kitchen gear

SaucepanTop picks on Amazon8-inch square dishTop picks on Amazon
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Nutrition per serving, estimated

190Calories
4gProtein
29gCarbs
7gFat

Photo: Lombroso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped and enhanced)

Coffee Jelly: FAQ

Can I use instant coffee?

Yes. Make 2 cups of strong coffee following the strength you enjoy, then use it in place of brewed coffee. Dissolve the granules completely before adding gelatin.

Why did my coffee jelly not set?

The gelatin may not have dissolved evenly, or the liquid measurement may be too high. Bloom it first and measure the coffee after brewing, not before.

How do I store and reheat Coffee Jelly?

Refrigerate the jelly covered for up to 4 days and the cream mixture separately for up to 3 days. Add cream just before serving. Do not freeze; thawed gelatin releases water and loses its smooth texture.

How long does Coffee Jelly take?

About 4 hr 20 min in total: 4 hr 15 min prep and 5 min cooking.

What do I need to make Coffee Jelly?

The key ingredients are brewed coffee, gelatin, heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk, plus pantry basics.

Any tips for Coffee Jelly?

Decaffeinated coffee works equally well; choose a brew with enough body to taste clear when cold.

Cook this next

More brewed coffeeMore gelatinMore creamMore sweetened condensed milk