45 Delicious Ways to Use Up Brewed Coffee
Updated: Dec. 06, 2022
Say goodbye to the days of tossing out half a pot of coffee. These recipes, including sweets like tiramisu as well as savory bites like roast beef, will make you wonder why you didn't start cooking with coffee sooner.
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Chocolate Comfort Cake
This moist and delicious chocolate cake is usually the first dessert to go. People even eat the crumbs. It’s always my top choice for holiday dinners. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
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Tangy Baked Beans
Different, delicious and sized exactly right for two people, this easy, breezy home-style side dish is sure to please!—Dean Copeland, Ochlocknee, Georgia
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Chilean Monkey Tail Punch
Stories vary surrounding the origins of this punch's unique name. Some say it was initially served in a bottle depicting a monkey with a long tail, but others suggest it was named after a funny incident with a Chilean president in the early 1900s. Whatever the origin, coffee and spirits will make this sweet chilled drink warm you right up this Christmas. It also goes by "cola de mono." —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Mom's Roast Beef
Everyone loves slices of this fork-tender roast beef with its savory gravy. The well-seasoned roast is Mom's specialty. People always ask about the secret ingredients. Now you have the delicious recipe for our favorite meat dish! —Linda Gaido, New Brighton, Pennsylvania
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Jumbo Chocolate Cutouts
The recipe for these light cookies has been passed down from generation to generation. Have a little extra fun with frosting if you like. They freeze well, too!—Helen Brown, East Dover, Vermont
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Beefy Sweet Potato Soup
I hate being cold, but one of the best remedies for that is warm soup. I took my mother’s water-based vegetable soup recipe and worked with it to make the flavors richer. The meat and veggies in this dish are the perfect cure for a cold night and a hungry family. —Lisa Cooper, Leander, Texas
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Special Mocha Cupcakes
Topped with a fluffy frosting and chocolate sprinkles, these extra-rich, extra-delicious cupcakes smell wonderful while baking and taste even better! —Mary Bilyeu, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Hazelnut Mocha Coffee
For special occasions, this chocolaty brew will be the talk of the town. You can make the chocolate mixture a couple of days in advance. When you're ready to serve it, simple brew the coffee and whip the chocolate. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Columbia, South Carolina
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Coconut Fudge Cake
“A big piece of this moist cake is a chocolate and coconut devotee's dream," notes Johnnie. "You should see my husband, children and grandkids smile when I serve it.”
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Sausage-Herb Dressing
To make time for last-minute Thanksgiving essentials, I prep the sausage part of this recipe a day or two ahead of time, then finish the dressing in my slow cooker on the big day. It has stood the test two years running! —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida
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Frothy Cafe Bombon
I discovered this layered java beverage during my honeymoon in Spain. —Keri Hesemann, St. Charles, Missouri
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Nutella Banana Cream Pie
Here’s a banana cream pie with a little Italian flair. The chocolate and hazelnut go well with the banana, and the rolled chocolate pie crust makes it extra-special. If you don’t have time to melt and pipe the chocolate stars, just sprinkle the top of the pie with grated chocolate or cocoa powder instead. —Crystal Schlueter, Babbitt, Minnesota
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Three-Layer Chocolate Ganache Cake
This decadent triple-layer beauty is pure chocolate indulgence. The cake layers can be frozen prior to final assembly; in fact, they're easier to work with when frozen. —Kathleen Smith, Overland, Missouri
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Irish Coffee
This Irish coffee lives up to its reputation as a relaxing after-dinner drink. Creme de menthe adds a colorful touch to the cream. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Slow-Cooker Potluck Beans
It was the morning of our family potluck and I still needed something to take. I threw together this recipe while drinking my morning coffee. By the end of the gathering, the beans were all gone and someone had even washed the slow cooker for me! —Mary Anne Thygesen, Portland, Oregon
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Cast-Iron Apple Nutmeg Coffee Cake
I'm not a great baker, but I do love coffee. In an effort to practice my baking, I use up the morning's last bit of coffee to make this cake—literally. It is super moist and crumbly, and tastes as if you dunked your cake right into a cup of hot joe. —Darla Andrews, Schertz, TexasDon’t forget to take a look at our collection of the best coffee desserts.
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Chocolate-Caramel Rum Coffee
This decadent coffee drink can stand alone as a final course or can be a delightful complement to any chocolate or caramel dessert. Our family loves it after a special dinner or just for sipping in front of the fireplace. —Joyce Conway, Westerville, Ohio
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S'mores Creme Brulee
A big bite into a scrumptious s’more brings back sweet campfire memories. This fancy take on the classic treat is perfect for a fall meal and will be adored by children and adults alike. —Rose Denning, Overland Park, Kansas
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Hot Ginger Coffee
I like to sit by the fire and sip this coffee on a cold winter day. It’s a great warm-up after shoveling snow, skiing, skating or snowmobiling. —Audrey Thibodeau, Gilbert, Arizona
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Creamy Tiramisu Cheesecake
The Italian word "tiramisu" means "pick-me-up" and refers to a dessert of ladyfinger sponge cake dipped in coffee, embracing mascarpone cheese. Work that in with cream cheese and you have a guaranteed picker-upper that redefines a classic. —Mrs. Priscilla Gilbert, Indian Harbour Beach, Florida
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Tipsy Iced Coffee
My family loves this frozen coffee with Amaretto and whipped cream. Serve it at brunch or as an after-dinner treat.—Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
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Coffee-Braised Roast Beef
This recipe has been a family tradition since 1974. The meat is quick and flavorful, so it's a nice welcome home after a long day of work. The coffee adds an intriguing flavor to the roast, and the juices can be thickened for a delicious gravy.—Nancy Schuler, Belle Fourche, South Dakota
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Mocha Baked Alaskas
Make these baked Alaskas ahead of time—you can torch the completed desserts and freeze them up to 24 hours before serving. —Kerry Dingwall, Ponte Vedra, Florida
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Spiced Devil's Food Cake
One of my mom's friends gave her this recipe when I was a child, and it has been a family favorite ever since. When your chocolate sweet tooth acts up, this really hits the spot! —Linda Yeamans, Ashland, Oregon
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Java Muffins
If you love your morning java like I do, get a double dose by paring this crunchy pecan-topped muffin with your favorite hot cup of Joe. They travel well and are ideal to take to work—for that mid-morning coffee break, of course. —Zainab Ahmed, Mountlake Terrace, Washington
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Homemade Irish Cream
Add some creamy goodness to your cup of joe with a splash or two of this homemade Irish cream. —Marcia Severson, Hallock, Minnesota
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Chocolate Cannoli Cake
Hints of orange and coffee lend standout flavor to this elegant cannoli-inspired cake. A variation of this cake was a finalist in the Best Cake in Michigan contest. —Mary Bilyeu, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Java Roast Beef
Coffee adds richness to the gravy, which is perfect for sopping up with crusty bread or draping over mashed potatoes. —Charla Sackmann, Orange City, Iowa
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Peanut-Filled Devil's Food Cupcakes
This recipe features a luscious peanut butter filling surrounded by devil's food and then iced with a rich layer of ganache. They're to die for! —Mary Lou Timpson, Colorado City, Arizona
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Brie Appetizers with Bacon-Plum Jam
Among my friends I'm known as the pork master, because I love to cook just about every cut there is. These appetizers combine soft, mild Brie cheese with a sweet-sour bacon jam that has a touch of Sriracha sauce. —Rick Pascocello, New York, New York
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Mocha Mint Coffee
This doctored-up coffee benefits from hints of mint, cocoa and cinnamon. The marshmallows on top are a playful addition that brings out the youngster in anyone. —Mindie Hilton, Susanville, California
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Contest-Winning Moist Chocolate Cake
You don't have to spend a lot of time to serve an elegant and delicious dessert. Just mix up the batter in one bowl, bake and get ready for people to love this moist dark chocolate cake recipe. —Christa Hageman, Telford, Pennsylvania
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Chocolate Ganache Peanut Butter Cupcakes
I've been baking cakes for years and enjoy trying new combinations of flavors and textures. For this peanut butter cupcake recipe, I blended peanut butter and chocolate. As soon as I took the first bite, I knew I had created something divine! —Ronda Schabes, Vicksburg, Michigan
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Brownie Mocha Trifle
By using instant pudding and a convenient box of brownie mix, there's nothing to the preparation. The result is moist and chewy. And the layers look so pretty spooned into a glass trifle bowl. —Louise Fauth, Foremost, Alberta
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Contest-Winning Mocha Fondue
At our friends’ 25th anniversary celebration, several couples had fun concocting this chocolate fondue. With fresh fruit, marshmallows, pretzels and vanilla wafers as dippers, everyone will want to dive into dessert! —Karen Boehner, Glen Elder, Kansas
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No-Bake Cappuccino Dessert
Summer gatherings call for cool desserts like this one. Lots of the party invites I receive come with a request for this delicious treat. You can make it even more chocolaty by adding cocoa powder to the dry pudding mixes. —Mary Beth Desens, Fredonia, Wisconsin
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Spiced Pumpkin Coffee Shakes
The winter holidays are my favorite time of year, and this spiced pumpkin drink is one reason I love the season so much. If you don't have a coffee maker, it's OK to use instant coffee—just make it stronger. —Kathie Perez, East Peoria, Illinois
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Coconut Chocolate Muffins
With their rich dark chocolate flavor and luscious cream cheese-coconut topping, these irresistible muffins taste more like a decadent dessert than a morning treat. —Sonia Daily, Rochester, Michigan
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Coffee-Braised Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Adding coffee to meat adds such a deep flavor. And this recipe is so easy—I put it in before work, and by the time we all get home, it's ready for us to dig in. —Jacquelynn Sanders, Burnsville, Minnesota
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Mocha Morning Drink
When I'm sipping this delicious coffee, I almost feel as if I'm visiting my favorite coffeehouse. —Jill Rodriguez, Gonzales, Louisiana
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Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu
I added pumpkin and subtracted some of the coffee flavor in a tiramisu I developed for a special holiday dinner. A new Christmas tradition was born! —Heather Clary, Downingtown, Pennsylvania
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Viennese Coffee
This isn't your regular cup of Joe! Dress it up with chocolate, whipped cream and more, making it a drink to savor! —Sharon Delaney-Chronis, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Ginger-Cream Bars
I rediscovered this old-time recipe recently and found it's everyone's favorite. Even 4-year-olds have asked for these frosted bars as nursery treats. —Carol Nagelkirk, Holland, Michigan
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Peanut Butter Truffle Cupcakes
Everybody loves cupcakes, and these have a wonderfully tasty hidden treasure inside. They're rich and delicious! —Marlene Schollenberger, Bloomington, Indiana
Originally Published: May 26, 2020
