Crema de café, also known as Dalgona coffee cream, is a Korean-style whipped coffee made by beating instant coffee, sugar, and hot water until it turns into a thick, creamy foam.
This fluffy coffee cream is spooned over cold or hot milk to create a sweet, frothy drink with a strong coffee flavor.
Ingredients You'll Need
Note: See the recipe card for quantities.
- Sugar: Sweetens the mixture and helps it whip into a thick, stable coffee cream. Any sugar will work, though each gives a slightly different flavor and color.
- Instant coffee: Provides a strong coffee flavor and whips easily with sugar and hot water. Nescafé Clásico Dark Roast dissolves quickly and gives the best results.
- Hot water: Dissolves the sugar and coffee, allowing the mixture to whip to full volume.
How to Make Crema de Café
Note: Full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the instant coffee and hot water.
- Add the sugar of your choice (granulated, Turbinado, or light brown).
- Beat for 5 minutes on medium speed, then 5 minutes on high speed, until thick, fluffy, and creamy.
- Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and freeze for up to three months.
Hint: Store the whipped coffee in the freezer-whenever you want a quick cup, just scoop a little into hot milk for instant creamy coffee.
Storage & Freezing
Storage/Freeze: If using this crema de café as a light frosting for cakes or desserts, you may refrigerate it for up to 1 day. For longer storage, it must be kept in the freezer. Transfer it to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Don't worry-this coffee cream doesn't harden; it stays soft and scoopable, so there's no need to defrost before using it.
To use, simply scoop a spoonful and stir it into very hot milk until fully dissolved. You can also use cold milk (our favorite way to enjoy Café Dalgona at home), but keep in mind you'll need to stir a little longer when using cold milk for it to fully dissolve.
Camila's Tips & Variations
- Use instant coffee only: This recipe works only with instant coffee-ground or brewed coffee will not whip.
- Use very hot water: Hot water helps the sugar and instant coffee dissolve quickly, which makes the mixture whip faster and reach maximum volume.
- Adjust to taste: Feel free to increase or reduce the instant coffee or sweetener to match your preferred flavor and intensity.
- Beat long enough: For the fluffiest texture, whip for the full 10 minutes-5 minutes on medium and 5 minutes on high. This ensures a thick, stable cream.
- Choose your sugar: Granulated, Turbinado, or light brown sugar all work beautifully. Brown sugar gives a deeper color and a slightly caramel-like flavor.
- Stronger coffee flavor: Use a bold instant coffee like Nescafé Clásico, which dissolves quickly and creates the best whipped texture.
- Adjust sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter cream, add an extra tablespoon or two of sugar. For less sweetness, reduce the sugar slightly-the mixture will still whip.
- Add flavor: Enhance the coffee by adding 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract before whipping.
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Recipe
Crema de café
Equipment
Ingredients
- 75 g granulated sugar
- 20 g Nescafé Clasico Dark Roast Instant Coffee
- 70 ml hot water
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine instant coffee, vanilla, sugar, and water into a clean bowl, and stir to combine all the ingredients.
- Now, using a hand mixer with the beater attachment, beat the ingredients together for about 5 to 10 minutes until the mixture turns from foamy too creamy to a stiff peak (meaning that when you lift the whisk out of the whipped coffee, the peaks hold their shape. If the peaks fall over, keep whisking for another minute or so).
- Scrape down the side of the bowl as needed. Once you've reached your ideal stage of stiff peak cream, it is ready to use as desired or transfer to a tightly sealed container and stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Don't worry; it won't freeze!😉 Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided is an estimate, calculated using standard data sources. Actual values may vary based on ingredient brands, preparation methods, and portion sizes. This information is for general reference only and should not be considered a substitute for professional dietary advice.
