Me and coffee. It’s a love hate relationship. On one hand, I love coffee flavor, preferably when mixed with copious amounts of cream and sugar. A punch of espresso brings life to dark chocolate. Coffee ice cream, well, if it weren’t so cold I would bathe in it.
On the other hand, more than a few sips of highly caffeinated anything and I turn into a shaky, jittery mess. Call it low blood pressure or what have you, caffeine and I are not friends.
But that doesn’t stop me from indulging in a (small) cup every now and then when I’m feeling extra droopy. So while, no, I wouldn’t call myself an avid coffee drinker, the repressed coffee-fiend in me just couldn’t turn down the opportunity to develop four exclusive recipes for Nescafé.
The Dolce Gusto line is fairly new to the market, competing with household names like Keurig and Krups. Granted I’ve never used those other machines, but the ease of use and flavor possibilities of the Dulce Gusto products are pretty impressive. Not to mention that their Piccolo machine (and be sure to click through/scroll down for an opportunity to win one!) is nice and compact. When your counter space is scarce, having a small footprint is crucial. So yay for that. Taylor would also like to add that he loves the virtually instant cleanup. Just toss the used capsule and you’re done. From someone who spends a good 20 minutes each day rinsing and refilling his brew machine and coffee grinder, that’s a big deal. No, he won’t be switching to pods entirely, drinking 2-3 cups a day it’s just not economical, but he could definitely appreciate its benefits.
I created and photographed four recipes, to be promoted and displayed on the Dolce Gusto Facebook page throughout the month of December. If you go there, you’ll see the recipes for Blueberry Almond Coffee Cake, Vietnamese Coffee Popsicles, and the Espresso Marshmallows currently featured. And stay tuned, because next week might be my favorite of the lot: Tiramisu Shooters (pictured above). All the deliciousness of tiramisu in a precious little package. Zing!
Espresso Marshmallows
These marshmallows have a surprisingly strong espresso flavor. They’re great served in hot chocolate, coffee, dipped in melted chocolate, or simply eaten plain.
Ingredients:
- 2 packets unflavored gelatin
- 1/3 cup plus 1/4 cup cold water, divided
- 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup corn syrup
- pinch salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- powdered sugar, for dusting
Directions:
- Butter and line an 8×8 or 9×9 square baking pan with parchment paper. Generously butter parchment, then dust with powdered sugar, making sure the sides are corners are coated.
- Dissolve espresso powder in 1/3 cup water and place in the bowl of a stand mixer. Sprinkle gelatin over water. Let sit for at least 5 minutes to soften.
- In a heavy saucepan, combine remaining 1/4 cup water, sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Stir over medium heat until dissolved. Bring to a boil, then cover for 2 minutes. Remove cover and boil, without stirring, until mixture reaches 238ºF, about 7 to 8 minutes.
- Fit mixer with the whisk attachment, and turn mixer to low. Very carefully pour hot sugar mixture down the inside of the bowl into the gelatin, taking care not to splatter.
- Increase mixer speed to medium high, and beat for 12 to 15 minutes or until mixture is thick and glossy and lukewarm to the touch. Beat in vanilla and pour into prepared pan (the mixture is extremely sticky at this point, so don’t worry if you can’t get it all out of the bowl). Let sit, uncovered, for at least 3 hours or until set. Remove from baking pan and cut into squares. Dust liberally with powdered sugar so the squares don’t stick together. Marshmallows will keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Developed for Nescafé Dulce Gusto.
All images and text ©Lindsay Landis / Love & Olive OilDid you make this recipe?
Let us know what you think!
Leave a Comment below or share a photo and tag me on Instagram with the hashtag #loveandoliveoil.
The fine print: Giveaway brought to you by Nescafé Dolce Gusto. No purchase necessary. Open to US residents only. Void where prohibited. I was paid to develop 4 unique recipes for Nescafé, and was provided with an identical coffee maker and samples; however I was not required to post anything and all opinions written are entirely my own.
I liked your page on FB! :)
I love to drink coffee any way that it is fixed, but I also LOVE baking with it, and making homemade coffee ice cream. YUUUUMY!!!!!
Beyond drinking it, I love the aroma of a good coffee! Holding a mug between your hands on a crisp morning, closing your eyes and just inhaling the aroma. It just doesn’t get much better than that!
Several years ago I was struck with a little inspiration when I was cleaning up while making a chocolate silk pie. Rather than toss the last of my morning pot of coffee I decided to add it to the meringue for what’s become my mocha silk pie.
Coffee ice cream is a favorite of mine!
Mmm, coffee ice cream is always tasty.
I love my coffee with cream and sugar, a little whip cream on top sprinkled with cinammon and sugar in top! Love, love me some coffee!! I stop my mom and dad’s for coffee each week that is our special time together.
My favorite way to enjoy coffee is right after dinner. Nothing like a Nescafe coffee with dessert.
I love to make a rich vegan chocolate cake with a vegan coffee buttercream frosting. Coffee buttercream is my absolute favorite frosting!
I love putting some coffee in chocolate desserts and Tiramisu!
My favorite would be in ice cream, although a strong cup in a chocolate cake is divine.
I love homemade coffee ice cream with this homemade chocolate sauce recipe passed down from through the mother’s on my mom’s side from as far back as we can remember. It is the perfect curl up on the couch dessert.
(oh and i follow you on twitter) and i already like you on facebook.
I tweeted!
I enjoy my coffee with a tiny bit of sugar and enough cream so you can juuuust start see it changing color. French Vanilla cream, even better!
I’m a follower and I tweeted the giveaway.
I like to add coffee to my brownie recipe. It really enhances the chocolate flavor.
I love coffee ice cream.
in cake cookies… homemade truffles Heaven
and i liked you on twitter
New fan on facebook!
I followed you on twitter and I tweeted:
https://twitter.com/#!/mrsdreajulian71/status/151257077979951104
I like coffee in certain cookies, as long as they don’t have a strong coffee taste!
I love munching on chocolate covered espresso beans
Thank you for the awesome recipe; the marshmallows are easy to make and taste delicious! Happy holidays to you and your family!
I like you on facebook
I love coffee early in the morning with bacon.
Definitely ice cream!
with ritz crackers to dip in it!
I love coffee ice cream, but I also love hot coffee with a scoop of flavored ice cream (praline is a winner combo!)!
I’m one of your facebook fans! (Annmarie Dipasqua Weeks)
I follow on twitter & tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/amweeks/status/150627035616780289
Love cappuccino brownies!
Liked Love & Olive Oil on Facebook
Followed @loveandoliveoil on twitter
Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/kpswagger/status/150581366877196289
My favorite way to enjoy coffee is in the morning with coffee cookies.
I love to mix some expresso into my Nutella Fudge that I make… yummy –
FB fan as Summer S Black
Tweeted and follow on twitter as @barkergirl33 https://twitter.com/#!/barkergirl33/status/150571912966320128
I love dark chocolate covered beans, and of course espresso ice cream!
I like coffee on my cereal!
I love to use coffee in any chocolate cake or cookie recipe..so good!
I love to enjoy coffee in ultra-dark chocolate cake, as many other posters said, but also in my mother’s recipe for Death by Chocolate.
Already a fan on Fb!
I love to make Tiramisu cupcakes..mmmm yum!
Well I LOVE coffee in anything but I had the most incredible espresso cinnamon rolls one year for Christmas morning breakfast at my daughter’s house and I’ve been dreaming about them ever since.
Perfect :)
My absolutely favorite coffee involving dish just be chocolate covered coffee beans. If it has to involve brewed coffee, then coffee ice cream.
Coffee ice cream!
I follow you on Facebook!
Mmm! I love adding instant espresso powder to chocolate cake, chocolate buttercream frosting and brownies. It adds that extra something without being overpowering. I just sold my Jura Capresso espresso machine (too big and fancy) so this cute little coffee maker would be wonderful. I “like” you on Facebook too!
i like u on fb ;-p