Description
Italian Coffee Cream, or Crema al Caffè, is a luscious, airy coffee-flavored dessert made by folding chilled strong espresso sweetened with powdered sugar into softly whipped heavy cream. This delightful treat is perfect for coffee lovers seeking a light, creamy dessert with rich espresso flavors, served chilled and often garnished with cocoa powder or chocolate shavings for an elegant finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup strong espresso or coffee
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Coffee: Brew a strong espresso or coffee. While it is still hot, stir in the powdered sugar until it fully dissolves. Allow the coffee to cool to room temperature, then chill it in the refrigerator until it is completely cold.
- Whip the Cream: Chill a mixing bowl and whisk to help the cream whip better. Beat the heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form, which means it should hold shape but still be soft and smooth.
- Combine Coffee and Cream: Gradually fold the cooled, sweetened coffee into the whipped cream. Use gentle folding motions to combine the two until the mixture is smooth and airy without deflating the cream.
- Chill and Set: Transfer the combined mixture into a serving container, cover it, and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the texture to set and flavors to meld.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, gently stir the crema al caffè. Serve in small glasses or cups and garnish with cocoa powder or chocolate shavings for an elegant presentation.
Notes
- Use freshly brewed espresso or very strong coffee for the best flavor.
- Make sure the coffee is fully chilled before folding it into the whipped cream to keep the cream from melting.
- Chilling the bowl and whisk before whipping the cream helps achieve better volume and consistency.
- Gently folding the coffee into the cream preserves the airiness of the whipped cream.
- This dessert is best served cold, so keep it refrigerated until ready to enjoy.
