Tag Archives: Coffee

Peppermint Mocha Ice Cream

Posted by Lindsey @ Baking Bytes in Celebration/Holiday, Ice cream and tagged with , , , ,

With pumpkin spice latte season behind us we are fully in the throes of peppermint mochas. Although I love a good pumpkin spice anything as much as the next BWG, there’s something about a peppermint mocha that can’t be replaced by any other holiday beverage. Creamy, chocolatey, and pepperminty are three of my favorite dessert adjectives and adding espresso is rarely a mistake in my book. Armed with this information and my previously created peppermint crunch recipe, I set out to create the ice cream duplicate of my dreams.

Peppermint Mocha Ice Cream {{Baking Bytes}}

Chocolate ice cream, in some form or another, is a relative staple around here and I started with that basic recipe. The addition of espresso powder and pre-crushed peppermint candy took it from yes to yes and even writing this makes me wish I still had some in my freezer. Weekend plans, anyone?

Peppermint Mocha Ice Cream {{Baking Bytes}}

Although I love depth created by the brewed method found in my maple latte ice cream, using espresso powder here is not only easier, but it creates a more traditional mocha flavor. It’s also superbly easy to add more if you’d like to adjust the peppermint to coffee ratio a bit more in favor of the latter. Plus, the little speckles created from espresso and vanilla bean powders always speak to my aesthetic.

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I melted some of the candy into the base and stirred in the remainder for a little crunch. And honestly, because it looks more fun that way. As a general PSA, the pieces eventually dissolve even in the freezer, should you accidentally forget its in there for two months. Fortunately you can always just sprinkle on more and no one will be the wiser.

Peppermint Mocha Ice Cream {{Baking Bytes}}

 

Treat yourself to a seasonal delight in a new form and I promise you won’t be disappointed. Or if you’re one of those people that doesn’t do ice cream when it’s cold, hang onto this recipe for summer and celebrate Christmas in July, just like JoAnn.

Peppermint Mocha Ice Cream

Makes about 6 cups

Ingredients

2 cups cream
1 cup half and half
5oz chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp espresso powder

1/2 cup egg substitute
1/3 cup crushed peppermint candy, divided1
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp peppermint extract

Directions

  1. Add chocolate, espresso powder, and sugar to a heatproof bowl and set aside.
  2. In a medium saucepan, heat cream and half and half until simmering. Immediately pour over chocolate mixture and whisk until chocolate is melted and sugar is completely dissolved. Let cool on the counter about 10 minutes, or until not too hot to touch.
  3. Whisk in egg beaters, vanilla, extract, and 1/4 cup crushed peppermint candy. Refrigerate until completely chilled, at least four hours. Place a lidded freezer-safe container in the freezer to chill.
  4. When the mixture is ready, churn according to your ice cream maker’s directions. Add an additional 2 tablespoons of crushed peppermint candy during the last minute of churning.2 
  5. Immediately transfer ice cream to the pre-chilled bowl and sprinkle with remaining candy. Freeze at least 4 hours, or until ready to eat. Extra delicious with chocolate sauce or chopped chocolate-covered espresso beans!

Notes

1 I was lazy and bought it pre-crushed, but it’s a great way to use up any candy canes you have laying around!

2 Over time all the candy will dissolve into the ice cream even in the freezer. If, like me, you forget it’s in there and find in a while later, don’t be alarmed if there’s no solid pieces left!

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Maple Latte Ice Cream

Posted by Lindsey @ Baking Bytes in Dessert, Ice cream and tagged with , , ,

Week two has arrived and a twist on my favorite treat beverage is on the docket. My go-to coffee shop refreshment is a maple latte and when a coworker talked about a local maple-roasted coffee in near his home in Canada, I knew I needed to try it. He was kind enough to hand-deliver me a package of Spring Maple Blend from St. Joseph Island Coffee Roasters and it is some of the best coffee I’ve ever had. Not only did it make a phenomenal cold brew, but it resulted in one of my new favorite ice creams.

Maple Latte Ice Cream {{Baking Bytes}}

A creamy coffee base sweetened with maple makes for a beautiful flavor profile despite its simplicity. The maple coffee certainly adds a little something, but if you don’t have access to that use your favorite light or medium roast instead. This recipe is similar to an iced latte in flavor but with all the robustness of a proper dessert, and certainly one I will make again and again.

Maple Latte Ice Cream {{Baking Bytes}}

It does take some extra time with the infusing process, but straining is easy peasy if you use a reusable coffee filter. I use one designed for cold brewing, but any similar one should do just fine. (You can also use a paper filter but it’s much more annoying since it’s prone to splitting once wet.) Either way, I promise the finished product is worth it.

Maple Latte Ice Cream {{Baking Bytes}}

Lovely coffee flavor complemented by sweet maple, this is a perfect ice cream all year round. It’s perfect on its own but would be a wonderful addition to a chocolate cake if that’s more your style. It does freeze a bit harder than a traditional recipe, so leave it to soften on the counter for a few minutes before digging in.

Maple Latte Ice Cream 

Makes ~6 cups

Ingredients

3/4 cup half and half
1/4 cup almond or cow milk
1/4 cup ground (maple roasted) coffee1

2 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup egg substitute
3/4 cup maple syrup

Directions

  1. In a small saucepan, heat half and half and milk on medium until it just starts to simmer, then remove from heat. Place coffee (in a filter, I use a reusable one) in the mixture and allow to steep for about one hour. Remove coffee (and any escaped grounds), squeezing grounds gently to release the most flavorful milk.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk infused mixture with all remaining ingredients until completely combined.
  3. Cover chill completely in the refrigerator at least 4 hours, or overnight.
  4. Freeze according to your ice cream maker’s directions, then place in a freezer-safe bowl to freeze for an additional three hours, or overnight.

Notes

1 You can certainly use decaf if you’re concerned about the caffeine content. Any coffee where you like the flavor is great! If you’re not using a maple coffee, you can pump up the maple flavor with a little maple extract, should you desire.

Cold Brewed Coffee: “Latte”

Posted by Lindsey @ Baking Bytes in Beverages, Breakfast and tagged with ,

[Welcome to this month’s Cold Brewed Coffee Series! If you missed the first post on making your own cold brew concentrate, you can find it here.]

Happy last week of July! Can hardly believe the month went by so quickly. I hope you have enjoyed both series the last few weeks and in August we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled programming.

For the last week I’m sharing my favorite treat beverage. Technically, it’s a café au lait but it feels closer to a latte to me since the cold brew is so concentrated. I don’t drink my cold brew this way as often, but it’s a delicious way to start the morning as well as a lovely pick-me-up in the afternoon.

IMG_6056_FotorAs with everything, I like to add a dash (heap) of cinnamon, and a little vanilla is a great addition too. For a sweeter experience, use your favorite coffee syrup, maple syrup, or homemade simple syrup. I don’t often do sweet lattes these days but I have a white ginger simple syrup I’m definitely looking forward to trying out soon.

Cold Brew: "Latte" {{Baking Bytes}}Thanks for following along and I would love to hear about your cold brew adventures. And be sure to come back Friday for the pièce de résistance of National Ice Cream Month!

Cold Brewed Coffee: “Latte”

Makes ~10 oz

Ingredients

2-3 oz cold brew concentrate1
7-8 oz milk of choice (I like to use almond)

optional
1/4 tsp vanilla
cinnamon, to taste
sweetener, to taste

Directions

  1. Heat milk to simmering using method of choice: microwave, stove, milk frother, etc.
  2. Pour cold brew concentrate into a mug, and optional add any garnishes (vanilla, cinnamon, simple syrup).
  3. Carefully stream in the heated milk.
  4. Enjoy!

Notes

1 My preference is 2 oz cold brew and 8 oz almond milk, but you may prefer slightly different ratios depending on the strength of your concentrate and the type of milk you use.

Cold Brewed Coffee: Vanilla Iced

Posted by Lindsey @ Baking Bytes in Beverages, Breakfast and tagged with ,

[Welcome to this month’s Cold Brewed Coffee Series! If you missed the first post on making your own cold brew concentrate, you can find it here.]

Cold Brew: Iced {{Baking Bytes}}

Although I typically enjoy my cold brew as a hot beverage, sometimes an iced coffee just feels right: usually after long, hot runs or on particularly toasty afternoons. On those occasions having my own cold brew concentrate ready to go is not only more delicious and convenient, but also much cheaper than going to a coffee shop.

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It is excellent plain, of course, but since I’m usually in the mood for a treat anyway I like to doctor mine with a little vanilla and creamer. Vanilla is always a welcome addition to coffee beverages, and the creamer makes it an extra delicious summer treat. Half and half is my mixer of choice (or cream, for extra decadence), but you can substitute your own favorite. A dash of cinnamon (or heap, in my case) adds a little spice. Although I rarely sweeten mine, a bit of simple syrup, maple syrup, or regular ole sugar is definitely an option if you like your coffee sweet. Use an infused simple syrup for additional flavor options.

Cold Brew: Iced {{Baking Bytes}}

The next time you’re in the mood for an iced coffee, give this one a try. You may have to play with the proportions a bit to find your perfect ratios, but I promise the practice will be worth it.

Cold Brewed Coffee: Vanilla Iced

Makes 12-16 oz

Ingredients

6-12 oz cold brew concentrate
1/2 tsp vanilla
dash of cinnamon (optional, but encouraged)
sweetener, to taste (optional; simple syrup blends the easiest)

~1 cup ice
cold water

1-2 Tbsp half and half or cream

Directions

  1. In the bottom of a glass, add cold brew concentrate and vanilla. Stir in sweetener and/or cinnamon, if desired.
  2. Carefully add ice cubes (should be around 2/3 full), then top with cold water.
  3.  Stir in creamer of choice, and enjoy!

Notes

1 As with the hot version, this will depend on how strong you like your coffee and how strong you brewed your concentrate. For mine, I do about 2 parts coffee to 1 part water, but you may not need to dilute yours at all or you may need closer to 50:50 so play around with it till you find what works!

Cold Brewed Coffee: Served Hot

Posted by Lindsey @ Baking Bytes in Beverages, Breakfast and tagged with ,

[Welcome to this month’s Cold Brewed Coffee Series! If you missed the first post on making your own cold brew concentrate, you can find it here.]

I feel a bit silly even posting this as a recipe because it’s so easy and so short, but as something I make almost every day I definitely want to share it with all of you. For me, I love starting the day with a hot beverage and even in the heat of summer I nearly always have a hot cup of coffee first thing in the morning.

Because of this, the main reason it took me so long to board the cold brew train is because I am much less inclined to drink cold coffee, especially first thing in the morning. Realistically it’s all about the ritual; I could likely start with a plain cup of hot water and be almost as happy. Almost.

One benefit to drinking my own cold brew is that it’s one of the few times I prefer coffee black. I managed to wean myself off of sweetened coffee quite awhile ago, but ditching the splash of cream has proven more challenging. I still like it in most drip coffee (especially at restaurants), but at home I enjoy this cold brewed coffee in it’s unadorned state.

So since coffee is delicious and cold brewed coffee is even better, here’s how I make my concentrate into a piping hot beverage each morning. Hope you enjoy it!

PS – I also use this for my bulletproof coffee2 on running days, simply add a bulletproof pod, blend it up, and you’re all set! Optionally add a scoop of protein powder for a nice boost for those tough morning workouts.

Cold Brewed Coffee: Served Hot

Makes 10-12 oz

Ingredients

2-3 oz cold brew concentrate1 
7-10 oz boiling water1

Directions

  1. Pour cold brew concentrate into a mug, then stream in boiling water.
  2. Optionally supplement with your preferred garnishes (sugar, cream, etc).
  3. Enjoy!

Notes

1 I nearly always do 2 oz concentrate to 8 oz boiling water, mostly because my favorite mugs are 10 oz, but this will depend on how long you let yours brew and how strong you like your coffee.

2 For the bulletproof version I like a little stronger coffee so I typically do the following: 1 pod, 3 oz coffee,  and 9 oz boiling water. Blend for 5-10 seconds or until frothy. Sometimes I add 1/2 -1 scoop of protein powder as well if I’m heading out for a longer or tougher workout. (Be careful though, some powders froth more excessively than others and might overwhelm a personal-sized blender cup.)