This creamy Dalgona coffee recipe looks fancy yet comes together in just five minutes. Skip the coffee shop and turn simple milk into a fluffy three ingredient treat at home.
What is Dalgona Coffee?
Made famous on social media, Dalgona coffee is a creamy and rich beverage that gets its name because the foam resembles a toffee like candy of the same name in South Korea.
The Best Viral Whipped Coffee
- Flavor: This instant coffee drink has bold coffee flavor, is lightly sweet and creamy with a fluffy whipped topping made from instant coffee, sugar, and hot water.
- Skill Level: This recipe, made with just 4 budget friendly ingredients, is easy to master using cold milk and equal parts instant coffee, sugar, and hot water whipped into a stable foam.
- Tools: While you can use a whisk to create the frothed coffee, a handheld electric frother or hand mixer is faster.
- Serving: Dalgona coffee served over ice helps the whipped topping sit high in the glass. For a cozy version, use hot milk. Either way, leave the foam layered on top or stir it in for a marbled, creamy sip.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Dairy: Any milk will work, but whole milk will provide a richer taste. Non dairy options can include soy or almond milk, but I prefer oat milk because it has the best creamy texture.
- Instant Coffee: Regular ground coffee will not whip properly, so stick with any instant coffee. Use very hot water to dissolve the instant coffee so that it whips smoothly.
- Sugar: Powdered sugar blends in faster than granulated sugar and can help the mixture whip up quicker. You can use less sugar, or a sugar substitute, but be aware the foam may be slightly less stable than classic sugar.
- Variations: This recipe is easy to customize!
- Use instant espresso instead of instant coffee for a more bold flavor.
- Add chocolate, caramel, vanilla, or coffee syrup to the milk for an interesting flavor profile. Why not swirl in a little homemade Irish Cream to really wind down the day?
- Drizzle the Dalgona coffee foam with chocolate or caramel syrup, or sprinkle with cocoa powder or cinnamon for impressive presentation.
How to Make Dalgona Coffee
- Pour your hot or cold milk into mugs or glasses.
- Whip together equal parts instant coffee, sugar, and hot water until it becomes thick and creamy (full recipe below).
- Spoon the whipped coffee on top and serve.
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Have you tried this Dalgona Coffee recipe? Leave a comment and rating below!
Dalgona Coffee Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk milk of your choice, hot or cold
- 1 Tablespoon instant coffee
- 1 Tablespoon sugar
- 1 Tablespoon hot water
Instructions
- Add cold milk to a glass, or if desired, heat or steam milk and add to a mug or heat safe glass. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, add instant coffee, sugar, and hot water. Using an electric milk frother, electric mixer, or hand whisk, mix until the mixture is thick and foamy. This takes about 3 to 4 minutes using an electric device or 8 to 10 minutes by hand (but it's SO worth it!).
- Add coffee mixture to the milk. Stir until combined to your liking, leaving a foam layer on top (or combine fully if preferred).
Notes
- Use exact measurements for a best results.
- Be sure to use very hot water to dissolve the instant coffee.
- Try powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar to dissolve faster.
- For a layered look, add the dalgona mixture on top of the ice and milk. Or for a marbled effect, stir together a bit before serving.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
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Great tips! Thanks for sharing. I usually add half a Tablespoon of vanilla extract into the foam for an extra twist of delish!
Oh I sure love that idea Liberty! I love vanilla, so it’d be a great addition.