Have a recipe that calls for espresso powder? Here's everything you need to know about this ingredient, including what it is, what it contributes to a recipe, and how you can make it yourself. (It's easy to do and inexpensive!) Use it to add a subtle coffee flavor or extra richness to your favorite baked goods - especially those involving chocolate!
If you bake often (which, let's be real, is probably why you're here) chances are you've come across a recipe that uses espresso powder. You can absolutely find this product in groceries store, but since I love my DIY recipes, I'm here to show you how you can make your own - and most likely for a fraction of the price! All you need is brewed espresso grounds, an oven, and a coffee grinder. With just a few simple steps, you'll have your own homemade espresso powder to add to all your favorite baked goods, including cakes and cupcakes, cookies, and more.
So let's get into what this ingredient really is, what it's used for, and how you can make it at home.
Jump to:
- What is it?
- What is it used for?
- Can I make my own?
- Do I need an espresso machine?
- Do I have to use espresso beans?
- What if I don't have a coffee grinder?
- How can I use it?
- Storage and shelf life
- Will this powder dissolve in hot liquid?
- Will this make my baked goods taste like coffee?
- Can't I just substitute ground or instant coffee?
- 💬 Comments and Reviews
What is it?
Espresso powder - also known as "instant espresso" - is made from ground espresso beans that have been brewed, dried, and then ground (even further!) into a fine powder. Although the name may imply otherwise, it is not generally used to make espresso. This brings me to my next point...
What is it used for?
Espresso powder is typically used in baking to amplify other flavors, especially chocolate. Much like vanilla bean, it's not generally used to contribute the bulk of the flavor in a recipe, but rather to complement it. Because of its fine texture, it dissolves in liquids easily and also blends seamlessly into dry ingredients.
Can I make my own?
Yes! Remember what I said earlier: espresso beans are brewed, dried, and ground before they're packaged up and sold as espresso powder. This is a simple process you can duplicate at home. All you need are the grounds that remain from brewing coffee or espresso in an espresso machine.
The grounds will start out in compact discs; start by breaking these up with your hands over a baking sheet. Use as much or as little grounds as you'd like; since this keeps well, I'd recommend using enough to fill a small container.
Next, spread grounds out into a thin, even layer.
At this point, you're ready to bake the grounds. Place them in your oven on the middle rack, and bake at 175ºF for 1-3 hours. They should feel dry and slightly crunchy when done. The exact amount of time this takes will vary based on how much you're working with.
Finally, use a coffee grinder to further grind into a fine powder. You may need to do this in batches!
And that's it! It's now ready for all your baking needs.
Do I need an espresso machine?
For best results, yes. Unlike the process of brewing coffee, brewing espresso involves forcing water through the beans at a very high pressure for a very short amount of time. The grounds that remain are compacted into a disc, and a majority of the moisture from the water has already been removed. The extraction method also impacts the flavor of the grounds.
So while you may be able to produce a similar end product using grounds brewed from a different type of coffee-making device, you will likely need to bake them much longer to cook out all the water, and the flavor will likely be weaker.
Do I have to use espresso beans?
No; any type of coffee bean can be brewed in an espresso machine. Technically, espresso beans are specifically roasted to be suitable for their intending brewing method, but the main factor here is the brewing method, not the type of beans being brewed.
What if I don't have a coffee grinder?
While I've found that using a coffee grinder is the most efficient way to break the grounds down into a fine powder, there are plenty of other methods you can use. Try a food processor, blender, or even a mortar and pestle.
How can I use it?
This DIY espresso powder is purely intended for baking. As I mentioned earlier, it works especially well when combined with chocolate! Use it for...
- This gluten-free, silky chocolate tart
- These rich dark chocolate espresso cupcakes
- These oh-so-fudgy, flourless, NUTELLA chocolate chip cookies
- A batch of chocolate-dipped caramel chocolate chip biscotti
- These marble financiers
- Or, for a recipe where coffee plays a starring role, these AMAZING coffee and brown sugar scones
Storage and shelf life
Treat this like any spice in your kitchen. Store it in an airtight container and keep it in a cool, dry place. It should last for at least a year this way (but probably much longer). As long as it remains fragrant, it's most likely fine to use.
Will this powder dissolve in hot liquid?
Yes; for the purposes of baking this will dissolve just fine in a hot liquid. However, please keep in mind that this is not instant coffee, and it's definitely not meant to be used as such. So don't drink it! Brew a fresh batch of coffee instead.
Will this make my baked goods taste like coffee?
On its own, this will contribute a subtle coffee flavor to your baked goods and amplify other rich flavors in the recipe. The more you use, the more you'll taste it, of course. I've used 2 tablespoons in a batch of my gluten-free chocolate chip cookies for a strong, but not overwhelming flavor. What you won't get is a cake that tastes like you poured a cup of cold brew into it - but this would make a great addition nonetheless!
Can't I just substitute ground or instant coffee?
In a pinch, you can grind instant coffee into a fine powder and use it as a substitute in a recipe that calls for espresso powder. However, the flavor will likely be weaker, so you may need to increase the amount used. As for just using ground coffee, I'd be lying if I said I've never done it. Again, the amount needed may be different, but it will work if that's all you've got. That being said, if you have access to espresso grounds and want to save a few bucks, this DIY version is your best bet.
PrintDIY Espresso Powder
Have a recipe that calls for espresso powder or instant espresso? Here's how you can make it yourself. Use it for added flavor and richness in your favorite baked goods - especially those involving chocolate!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour (up to 3)
- Total Time: 1 hour (up to 3)
- Yield: 1 cup
- Category: how-to
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- leftover espresso grounds*
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 175ºF.
- Prep grounds: Crumble grounds up with your hands and spread out in a thin, even layer on a baking sheet.
- Bake: Place baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 1-3 hours, tossing every hour or so, until the grounds feel dry and slightly crunchy. The exact amount of time this takes will depend on how much of the grounds you start with.
- Grind: Using a coffee grinder, further grind into a fine powder; you may need to do this in batches.
- Store: Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Keeps for at least a year.
Notes
*You can use as much or as little as you'd like, depending on the quantity of espresso powder you want to make. Actual yield will be determined by how much you start with.
Cherie says
I am literally here to compliment you on your ability to show such amazing patience. The questions repeated X 10 and you calmly just answer again. Very impressive and inspiring in many ways...Thank you. I will be trying your diy method.
alexandra says
Aww, thank you so much! I really appreciate the sentiment :)
Julie says
I was thinking the same.. very patient person! Well done ?
Alex says
This is amazing, where I live espresso powder is always way more expensive than coffee beans. Now I can save some money by using this tip. Thanks for sharing.
patricia mcmanes says
You keep saying "brewed espresso"
Is this the same as "brewed coffee" ?
alexandra says
Technically, no. There are coffee machines that brew espresso, and there are also espresso beans. What you want for this DIY espresso powder is the grounds that come from brewing espresso specifically - with a machine that does this, you wind up with a dry block of grounds rather than the wet stuff you get from brewing coffee normally.
Brenda says
Hi Alexandra my name is Brenda I was just wondering I went to the store and by accident did not pick up espresso powder I pick the ground espresso instead of using the espresso at all in the recipe can I just double the cocoa powder?
alexandra says
Hi Brenda,
Not sure what recipe you're referring to. If you let me know I'd be happy to help. :)
Kitchen Gadget says
Perfect! I'm definitely trying this! I'm lucky I came across this website. Thanks!
Jeanine says
I used this recipe for Espresso Powder to make Tiramisu for by daughter's 21st birthday.
Absolutely amazing!
k55 says
Can i use coffee ground which is be brewed?
alexandra says
No, regular brewed coffee grounds are different than the "pucks" of dried espresso grounds you get from an espresso machine. Your best bet if you don't have access to espresso grounds is to just buy espresso powder.
meredith @ Wired for Coffee says
I'd guess you can use brewed espresso and subtract it's liquid amount from the overall liquids being used, couldn't you?
Alexandra, do you keep the grounds in the fridge or does it matter?
alexandra says
I have done that in recipes before and typically it works (assuming you're using a recipe that has some sort of liquid in it), but I would say the overall effect is slightly different, just as it's different adding vanilla extract to a recipe vs vanilla bean. I keep the espresso powder in my cabinet (room temp).
Tomas says
Thanks for the tip, but how long it keeps for?
alexandra says
Quite a long time, just like your typical spices. I've had batches around for a year + with no issues.
Rebecca Leahy says
I don't have a coffee grinder, do you think putting the grinds into a food processor when they get out of the oven will be enough?
alexandra says
Yup, that should work!
Jack B. says
This is great tip. Thanks for sharing :))
Robert says
It seems that you are taking coffee grounds, which have already had the flavor brewed out of them to make coffee, to make coffee grounds powder rather than espresso powder. Would it be better to start with unused coffee beans?
alexandra says
No, you actually do want to use the grounds post-brewing. As Bon Appetit mentions on their website, "Instant espresso powder is brewed espresso that has been dehydrated.”
Robert says
Exactly. Espresso powder is brewed espresso that has been dehydrated, not the used grounds that have been dried and ground up. "Brewed espresso" is the liquid from the espresso brewing process. They throw the grounds away. Or better, compost them.
Rich says
It seems to me that Robert is right: Isn't this the exact opposite of commercial espresso powder? Commercial espresso powder you could mix with water and get espresso you could drink. This DIY recipe, if mixed with water, would give you something grainy from which much of the coffee flavor had been extracted. Isn't that right?
alexandra says
Maybe I should clarify, this isn't intended to be used to actually make fresh espresso, but for baking purposes, it does the trick.
mion says
Hi is this instant or do i need to filter? Can it be used in making for recipes that calls for instant espresso powder?
alexandra says
Hi, I'm not sure what you mean by your first question. You can use it in recipes that call for espresso powder, but if the recipe is using the powder to make espresso (by combining with water), you'll want to use instant espresso.
Tiffany says
Hey there, I am curious.. I was looking for espresso powder for a recipe and I accidentally bought Ground Espresso.
I love this idea of making your own espresso powder with the left over beans, but I do not have an espresso maker, so the espresso grounds I have are dry, can I still do this?
alexandra says
Did you buy ground espresso that is meant to be brewed? Like ground coffee? If so, it wouldn't be the same because the recipe is meant to use espresso grounds that have already been brewed. Hope that makes sense!
Margo says
Do you think you could use a mortar & pestle to further grind the grounds to a fine powder? I'm looking forward to trying the recipe.
alexandra says
I have done this on occasion because I don't own a coffee grinder anymore. It doesn't work as well, but it's certainly better than nothing.
Suzanne says
Thanks so much. I am baking a chocolate cake that asks for espresso powder, which I didn't have on hand. Your tip saved me! My husband drinks copious amounts of espresso daily and now I will ask him to save the grounds. This is fabulous!!! I am baking the grounds as I type this. ????
alexandra says
Awesome! Hope you get lots of use out of it! :)
Samantha says
me and my husband drink espresso from an actual espresso pot, I dont want to buy the instant stuff for a recipe because we won't drink that. If the recipe calls for 1tsp of the instant powder how much of the regular brewed espresso could i subsitute it for?
alexandra says
Well, are you referring to the espresso before you actually brew it in your pot? (As opposed to the espresso grounds after brewing, which is what this method uses).
Samantha says
After brewed espresso
Tony Nguyen says
This is great tip. Thanks for sharing :))