There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly brewed coffee in the morning. From French pressed to home espresso machines, the way we drink coffee has come a long way in a short time.

However, coffee doesn’t always have to belong in your morning mug. It can be used to bring sweet and savoury recipes alive, adding a unique and vibrant mood to your next dinner party.

“Coffee has always been a great ingredient in cooking, occasionally it’s the hero of the dish, or sometimes it simply adds a bit of nuance and body. There are plenty of creative ways to incorporate coffee into cooking,” says Mark Rawlins, Miele Culinary Expert.

Read on for some inspiring recipes for your next dinner party.

Coffee in sweet treats

Using coffee in a sweet dish is all about balancing the flavours.

“Chocolate and vanilla go well with the rich bittersweet flavour of coffee, which makes it perfect for puddings, cakes and custards.”

“Or a little shot of coffee in a sticky date pudding batter contrasts the sweetness of the dates and adds a mature undertone,” he added.

When it comes to the best recipes, Miele’s Chocolate and Coffee Budino with caramel sauce is a favourite for Mark.

“This recipe is fantastic to use because the Miele Steam Oven is so gentle and consistent that the full flavour of the coffee is maintained, allowing it to compliment the chocolate beautifully.”

“The best thing is that this dessert can be made in advance and just sit in the fridge until needed, perfect for entertaining,” he added.

Mark also recommends a shot of coffee poured over the top of homemade custard as a simple indulgence.

“If you prepare the custard in small jars, they can be served individually with the fresh shot of coffee poured on top along with crumbled biscuit crumbs.”

A spot of savoury

While sweet dishes spring to mind first when thinking about coffee, there are a myriad of ways to incorporate the rich flavour into your next dinner degustation.

“Coffee can be used in sauces or as a rub for grilled and roasted meats for added depth of flavour,” said Mark.

Creating perfect coffee

Creating these culinary delights has never been easier than with Miele’s Benchtop Coffee Machines.

Mark says: “Miele’s CM7750 Coffee Machine easily adjusts the temperature, grind, size and strength of the brew for each preparation.

This ensures I can make a faultless espresso, using my favourite beans that perfectly folds into a custard or savoury sauce.

“For larger-scale cooking, the ‘Coffee Pot’ function is perfect, as it automatically prepares up to eight long black coffees in one pot.”

For cooking connoisseurs who are passionate about food and hungry to learn more, Miele hosts specialised MasterClasses throughout the year, where Miele’s Culinary Experts present exquisite recipes and demonstrate the amazing results you can achieve with Miele appliances.

Visit our Miele Experience Centres in Auckland and Wellington.