This Coffee Sauce is creamy and smooth, with a rich coffee flavor and the perfect amount of sweetness. Made with freshly brewed coffee, egg yolks, and whipped cream, it has a velvety, soft texture. Almost like a coffee custard! If you are a coffee lover, you will also want to try my Coffee Sugar Cookies, made with coffee and drizzled with a coffee glaze!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Egg Yolks: You will need three large eggs (yolks only) for this recipe. Egg yolks are used to help make the sauce thicker and smoother. When heated gently, egg yolks help create a creamy texture, so the sauce isn’t too runny. They also add a rich flavor that makes the coffee sauce taste extra delicious. Don’t let the egg whites go to waste, though! Save them to use in other recipes like my cheesecake mousse and fried ice cream!
- Sugar: The granulated sugar adds sweetness to balance out the strong flavor of the coffee. Without it, the sauce might taste too bitter. The sugar helps make the sauce smooth and gives it a nice, sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with the coffee.
- Coffee: You will need 1/2 cup of freshly brewed coffee for the coffee sauce recipe. The rest is perfect for enjoying on its own!
- Heavy Whipping Cream: The heavy whipping cream is whipped before adding to the sauce. It helps make the sauce light and airy while still keeping it creamy, giving it a soft, velvety texture that’s perfect for drizzling.
Best Coffee Roast For Making Coffee Sauce
For the best flavor in your coffee sauce, use a medium or dark roast coffee. These roasts have a rich, bold flavor that stands out in the sauce. If you prefer a milder taste, a light roast can be used, but it may not give the sauce as strong of a coffee flavor.
Can I Use Instant Coffee Instead Of Brewed Coffee?
Yes, you can use instant coffee for the coffee sauce, but the flavor might not be as rich and bold as freshly brewed coffee. If you choose instant coffee, be sure to dissolve it in hot water to get a similar texture and taste. It’s a quick and convenient option, but the sauce may not have the same depth of flavor as when using freshly brewed coffee.
How To Use Coffee Sauce For Toppings and Desserts
If you love coffee, you will want to add this coffee sauce to almost everything! Here are a few of my favorite ways to use it:
- Pancakes and Waffles
- Cakes–I would love it with my best chocolate cake or carrot cake!
- Glazed Donut Bites–dip in for a little coffee flavor!
- Ice cream–from my no-churn vanilla ice cream to chocolate ice cream, it would add coffee flavor to each bite!
- Fruit! Try a little coffee sauce drizzled over fresh fruit like strawberries, bananas, or apples.
How To Store Coffee Sauce
To store your coffee sauce, let it cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. When ready to use it again, gently reheat it on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to maintain its smooth texture. If it thickens too much after storing, just add a little water or more brewed coffee to reach your desired consistency.
Coffee Sauce
Ingredients
- 3 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup (4 ounces) freshly brewed hot coffee
- ½ cup (119 g) heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Fill a medium saucepan with 1–2 inches of water and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Place a heatproof glass or metal bowl over the pan, ensuring it sits above the water without touching it.
- To the bowl, add the lightly beaten egg yolks, sugar, and salt. Whisk until fully combined.
- Slowly pour in the hot coffee while whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from curdling.
- Stir the mixture frequently for 10–15 minutes, or until it thickens slightly and becomes a bit foamy.
- Remove the bowl from the heat and let it cool for 5–10 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream with a hand mixer or whisk until soft peaks form. (The cream should gently hold its shape when you lift the whisk.)
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the cooled coffee mixture using a spatula. Mix until smooth and fully combined.
- Cover the sauce and chill it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Did you make this recipe?
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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
The coffee flavor really comes through in this sauce, so if you love coffee, you will like this sauce!
Elizabeth
I love coffee, so I loved this sauce. I want to try it over chocolate cake!
Annabelle
This will be liked by coffee drinkers, I am sure! It has a smooth consistency and tastes like coffee!
Bella
I’m not a coffee drinker, so the flavor wasn’t my favorite, but the texture of the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Stephanie
I liked this sauce! You can taste the coffee, but it wasn't too overpowering.
