Easy Japanese Coffee Jelly Recipe
Introduction
Japanese coffee jelly is a simple, refreshing dessert that combines the rich bitterness of coffee with a delicate, jelly-like texture. It’s easy to make and perfect for a light treat or an elegant finish to a meal.
Ingredients
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup cold water
- ⅓ cup brown sugar (50 g, for extra caramel notes; can substitute regular white sugar, demerara, or raw sugar)
- 3 tsp gelatin powder (9 g / 0.31 oz)
- 2 tbsp instant coffee (8 g / 0.28 oz; see notes for substitutions)
- Thickened cream or heavy cream (can substitute whipped cream)
- Chocolate shavings
- Coffee beans
- Fresh mint leaves
- Cocoa powder
- Maraschino or glacé cherries
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large jug, whisk together the instant coffee, gelatin powder, brown sugar, and boiling water until the sugar dissolves completely and no gelatin remains stuck to the bottom.
- Step 2: Pour in the cold water and whisk again to combine.
- Step 3: Pour the coffee mixture into dessert cups or a glass dish.
- Step 4: Use a whisk to gently break any large bubbles around the edges for a smooth surface once set.
- Step 5: Refrigerate for at least 3 hours to allow the jelly to set fully.
- Step 6: If set in a dish, cut the jelly into cubes and transfer to serving dishes.
- Step 7: Serve topped with your choice of thickened cream, chocolate shavings, coffee beans, fresh mint leaves, cocoa powder, or maraschino cherries for added flavor and decoration.
Tips & Variations
- For a stronger coffee flavor, use dark roast instant coffee or substitute with brewed espresso powder.
- Swap brown sugar for white sugar or raw sugar depending on your sweetness and flavor preference.
- Add a splash of sweetened condensed milk along with the cream for a richer taste.
- Use whipped cream instead of thickened cream for a lighter, airier topping.
Storage
Store coffee jelly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To serve, remove from the fridge and garnish as desired. Reheating is not recommended, as the jelly will lose its texture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use regular coffee instead of instant coffee?
Instant coffee is best for dissolving fully into the jelly mixture. If you prefer, you can use strong brewed coffee, but you’ll need to adjust the gelatin amount and sweetness to keep the texture and flavor balanced.
Can this dessert be made vegan or dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute gelatin with agar-agar for a vegan option and use plant-based cream alternatives like coconut cream for the topping.
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Easy Japanese Coffee Jelly Recipe
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Easy Japanese Coffee Jelly recipe offers a delightful, sweet coffee-flavored gelatin dessert that is simple to prepare and perfect for coffee lovers. Made with instant coffee, gelatin, and sweetened brown sugar, it is chilled until set and served with creamy toppings and garnishes to enhance its rich coffee taste.
Ingredients
Jelly Mixture
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup cold water
- ⅓ cup brown sugar (50 g; can substitute with white sugar, demarara, or raw sugar)
- 3 tsp gelatin powder (9 g / 0.31 oz)
- 2 tbsp instant coffee (8 g / 0.28 oz)
Garnishes
- Thickened cream or heavy cream (can substitute with whipped cream)
- Chocolate shavings
- Coffee beans
- Fresh mint leaves
- Cocoa powder
- Maraschino or glacé cherries
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large jug, add the instant coffee, gelatin powder, brown sugar, and boiling water. Whisk thoroughly until the sugar dissolves completely and ensure no gelatin sticks to the bottom of the jug.
- Add Cold Water: Pour in the cold water and whisk again to evenly mix all ingredients.
- Transfer Mixture: Pour the coffee jelly mixture into dessert cups or a glass dish for setting.
- Remove Bubbles: Optionally, use your whisk to gently break any large bubbles around the edges to achieve a smooth jelly surface once set.
- Chill and Set: Place the jelly-filled containers in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours until firmly set. The mixture can be placed directly into the fridge while warm due to the addition of cold water.
- Cut into Cubes: If set in a dish, slice the jelly into cubes and scoop them into serving dishes.
- Serve with Garnishes: Add desired garnishes such as thickened or whipped cream, chocolate shavings, coffee beans, fresh mint leaves, maraschino cherries, or a dusting of cocoa powder on top before serving and enjoy.
Notes
- You can substitute the instant coffee with espresso powder or brewed strong coffee concentrate for different flavor intensity.
- Brown sugar adds caramel notes; white sugar or raw sugar can be used if preferred.
- The cream garnish can be swapped with whipped cream or condensed milk for a richer taste.
- Ensure gelatin powder is fully dissolved to avoid clumps in the jelly.
- This dessert is best served chilled and consumed within 2 days for optimal freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Japanese
Keywords: Japanese Coffee Jelly, Coffee Jelly Dessert, Easy Coffee Jelly Recipe, Gelatin Coffee Dessert, Japanese Dessert
