Easy Coffee Jello Recipe (with Condensed Milk)

If you’ve got coffee lovers in your house, you’ve got to make them this coffee jello recipe with condensed milk!

With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a creamy, jiggly little treat that tastes like your favorite cup of joe. 

This easy coffee jello can be described as a balanced combination of coffee’s boldness and the sweetness of condensed milk. It’s the perfect dessert for every coffee drinker in your life. 

And did I mention that it jiggles? So fun! 

What is Coffee Jello? 

Also known as Vietnamese coffee jelly and Japanese coffee jelly, coffee jello is essentially a gelatin dessert infused with brewed coffee. The result is a wobbly treat that captures the essence of coffee in every bite.

The addition of sweetened condensed milk adds a creamy, sweet contrast to the strong coffee flavor, making it the perfect blend of bitter and sweet notes.

Coffee jelly can be served in individual cups or molds, or it can be cut into coffee jelly cubes and served in a glass of heavy cream or whole milk. 

Some background on coffee jello

Coffee jello has its roots in countries like Japan, South Korea and Vietnam. It emerged as a fusion dessert, combining the love for real coffee and the popularity of gelatin-based sweets.

The concept of coffee jello was a creative way to enjoy coffee’s flavor and aroma in a new form, making it great for warm weather when hot coffee might be less appealing.

This unique dessert is still a popular item on dessert menus across East Asia. 

Ingredients for this Coffee Jello Recipe with Condensed Milk

​Here’s what you’ll need to make this coffee jelly recipe:

• Hot coffee. This is the main ingredient, so make it count. You’ll need 2 cups of strong coffee for this recipe to balance the sweetness of the condensed milk. 
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Gelatin. This comes in small packets of powder in the baking aisle of most grocery stores. Knox gelatin is the most popular brand.
• Vanilla extract

How to Make this Coffee Jello 

It’s easy to make this sweet treat. Start with a bowl of very cold water. I’m talking cold like ice water. Sometimes I’ll even put an ice cube into the bowl.

Then, sprinkle the gelatin into the water. Wait until the gelatin blooms, i.e. softens and hydrates and turns gelatinous. This takes about 10 minutes. 

Make sure your hot coffee is in a pourable vessel. Then stir the bloomed gelatin into the coffee. It may take a few minutes of stirring in the hot liquid for the gelatin to dissolve completely. 

Now, stir in the sweetened condensed milk. Pour the jello mixture into whatever cups or molds you like. You could use silicone molds in pretty shapes, ice cube trays, mason jars or small ramekins.

Some people just pour the entire mixture into a plastic airtight container and scoop out servings as they go. 

Once your jello mixture is poured into your container of choice, pop it into the fridge for a few hours until it sets. 

How to Serve this Coffee Jello with Condensed Milk

Have fun serving this coffee jelly dessert! Here are some of the best ways to serve it: 

1. As a Dessert: Serve coffee jello in individual cups or molds. Top it with a dollop of whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or even chocolate covered espresso beans.
2. In a Coffee Float: Cut coffee jello into small cubes and add them to a glass of iced coffee, cold brew or milk. The cubes of jelly will infuse your beverage with rich coffee flavor. 
3. With Fresh Fruits: Pair coffee jello with fresh fruits like berries or mangoes to create a refreshing fruit salad. 

Variations and Substitutions

Customize this easy treat to suit your preferences. Here are some different ways to enjoy this sweet dessert: 

​

1. Make it a Decaf: If you prefer a caffeine-free option, simply replace the regular coffee with decaf coffee to make your coffee jello.
2. ​Make Espresso Jello: If you love a stronger coffee, use espresso instead of regular coffee in this dessert. 
3. Vegan Version: Did you know that gelatin is derived from animals? For a vegan-friendly alternative, substitute regular gelatin with agar agar, a plant-based gelling agent. Also, replace the condensed milk with sweetened condensed coconut milk or almond milk.
4. Flavor Infusions: Experiment with different coffee flavors like vanilla, hazelnut, or caramel by using flavored coffee beans or adding flavored syrups to the mixture.
5. Toppings: Customize your coffee jello with various toppings, such as crushed cookies, nuts, or chocolate shavings, to add a unique twist to this classic dessert.

How to Store Coffee Jello

Keep your coffee jello in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap. 

When you make this coffee jello recipe with condensed milk, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a rating or leave a comment below. Enjoy! 

For more recipes for coffee lovers, try these:

• Irish Cream Breve (Easy Coffee Recipe)
• Iced Mocha Macchiato Recipe (Starbucks Copycat)
• Peppermint Mocha Sandwich Cookies
• Caramel Macchiato Cookie Bars

For more gluten free dessert recipes, try these:

• French Creme Brulee Recipe
• Stovetop Rice Pudding
• Best Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe
• Chai Spice Creme Brulee