National Coffee Ice Cream Day

Sep 5, 2026 | Food Blog

The spotlight today is on Coffee Ice Cream.

Coffee ice cream is a blend of ice cream and strongly brewed coffee or espresso. The coffee adds a bitter, nutty flavor that cuts the sweetness of the ice cream. Coffee ice cream is made up of milk, sugar, cream, vanilla extract, and coffee. The coffee flavor comes from instant espresso powder, which dissolves well and has a strong flavor. It has a satisfying rich taste and a bitter, nutty flavor that pairs well with toppings like chocolate chips, fudge, and almonds.

Coffee ice cream also blends the love for a strong caffeine buzz with the comfort and nourishment of a rich and creamy bowl of ice cream. A scoop of coffee ice cream contains, on average, around 30-45 milligrams of caffeine. This is less than the amount of caffeine found in a typical cup of coffee, which can contain anywhere from 70-140 milligrams of caffeine depending on the size and strength of the brew. A cup of coffee ice cream could contain as much caffeine as a shot of espresso. If you are sensitive to caffeine, coffee ice cream can keep you awake.

 

Here are some tips for choosing coffee for ice cream:

  • Roast: Darker roasts can add bitterness to the ice cream.
  • Grind: A medium grind will deliver a lot of coffee flavor while still being easy to filter.
  • Beans: Using less beans can create a mild, toasty, caramel flavor.
  • Brewed or instant: You can use brewed coffee or instant coffee granules.
  • Decaffeinated: You can use decaffeinated coffee if you’re sensitive to caffeine.

You can also try leaving a little of a coarser grind in the ice cream to add texture and deepen the flavor.

 

History

Coffee ice cream has been around for many years. Coffee ice cream is believed to have originated in Italy, where it was made with coffee and cream. It became popular in the United States in the late 1800s. People first started eating coffee ice cream around 1860. It was made with cream, crushed ice, and coffee syrup. In 1869, coffee ice cream was used in a parfait.

Coffee ice cream became a staple in most ice cream shops’ flavor lists. It’s often enjoyed with a scoop of whipped cream or chocolate syrup.

 

Here are some fun facts about coffee ice cream:

  • A recipe for Egg Coffee, which includes cream, crushed ice, and coffee syrup, appeared in a 1919 cookbook.
  • Coffee ice cream is a popular flavor in the Midwest.
  • Coffee ice cream contains caffeine, with a scoop containing around 30-45 milligrams.
  • Coffee ice cream is often enjoyed with a scoop of whipped cream or chocolate syrup.
  • Coffee ice cream is a staple flavor in most ice cream shops.

Coffee ice cream is one of the most popular ice cream flavors, with 23% of adults in the US saying they like it. However, only 4% of Americans count coffee ice cream as their favorite flavor. Northeasterners are more likely to be fans of coffee ice cream than people from other regions.

 

Here is a Coffee Ice Cream Recipe for you to try:

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups half and half
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ tsp sea salt
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 to 1 ½ TBS instant coffee (decaf or regular)
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

 

Directions:

  1. Warm half and half, sugar and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisking to dissolve sugar.
  2. Beat egg yolks in a small mixing bowl, add ½ cup of the warm mixture to the egg yolks and whisk to combine. Then add that mixture to the half and half on the stovetop.
  3. Whisk in coffee granulates until dissolved.
  4. Cook over medium-low heat stirring constantly until the mixture thickens slightly – just barely sticking to the back of a spatula or until it reaches 170 degrees F.
  5. Place the heavy cream into a bowl with a fine mesh strainer on top of the bowl.
  6. Strain the custard into the heavy cream. Discard what is left on the strainer.
  7. Add vanilla extract, stir to combine.
  8. Transfer to an airtight container and cool completely in the fridge (preferably overnight).
  9. Pour mixture into an ice cream maker and churn until frozen (about 30-40 minutes).
  10. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze completely, about 4 hours.
  11. Enjoy!

 

Coffee ice cream is often enjoyed with a scoop of whipped cream or chocolate syrup. It contains caffeine, with a scoop containing around 30-45 milligrams of caffeine.

 

Nutrition and Health

The average American eats more than 23 pounds of ice cream every year, which is almost 5 gallons. 4% of that is coffee ice cream.

Coffee ice cream is high in sugar and fat, making it a relatively high-calorie dessert option. A typical serving size of 1/2 cup can contain around 200-300 calories, depending on the brand and recipe. Coffee ice cream also contains moderate amounts of protein and calcium.

Eating a small scoop of chocolate or coffee ice cream before bed is usually fine for most people, but consuming large amounts can disrupt your sleep.

 

Haagen-Dazs

Coffee ice cream is popular at Haagen-Dazs. In 2020, coffee was one of the most popular flavors of Haagen-Dazs ice cream, along with vanilla and strawberry. Haagen-Dazs has been around since 1961 and is known for making high-quality ice cream.

Some say that Haagen-Dazs coffee ice cream is rich and creamy, with a nice coffee aroma and a milder coffee flavor. The ice cream is made with Brazilian coffee beans. A half-cup serving of Haagen-Dazs coffee ice cream contains about 21 mg of caffeine, which is roughly equivalent to a quarter cup of brewed coffee.

 

Here are the ingredients in Häagen-Dazs Coffee Ice Cream:

  • Cream
  • Skim milk
  • Cane sugar
  • Egg yolks
  • Coffee
  • Brazilian coffee beans
  • Vanilla extract
  • Butterfat: 16% butterfat, which is higher than many other ice cream brands.
  • Caffeine: 21.6 mg of caffeine in a 1/2 cup serving, which is a little more than 1/4 cup of brewed coffee.

Häagen-Dazs uses clean label, kitchen-friendly ingredients, and does not use preservatives, stabilizers, colors, or palm oil.

 

Here are some nutrition facts for Haagen-Dazs coffee ice cream:

  • Calories: 300 per 2/3 cup Smart & Final
  • Total fat: 21g, 27% of daily value
  • Saturated fat: 13g, 65% of daily value
  • Trans fat: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg, 32% of daily value H-E-B
  • Sodium: 45mg, 2% of daily value
  • Potassium: 130mg, 4% of daily value
  • Total carbohydrates: 17g, 6% of daily value
  • Sugars: 24g
  • Caffeine: 21 mg of caffeine per half-cup serving
  • Coffee Equivalent: equivalent to a quarter cup of brewed coffee

The ingredients in Haagen-Dazs coffee ice cream. It may contain and instant Brazilian coffee.

 

 

National Coffee Ice Cream Day

But one thing you should not lose sleep over is National Coffee Ice Cream Day, which is celebrated on September 6th annually. Take this opportunity to grab a scoop and enjoy this day. Let us know in the comments if you are one of the 4% of people who love this delicious frozen treat.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to our Blog to receive more content like this. Click here to subscribe.

Be sure to watch our shows on QVC+  or our YouTube channel. 

Give us your feedback on our Social Channels 

Facebook • Instagram • Tik Tok • LinkedIn • Pinterest • Twitter  

Celebrating Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Celebrating Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Today’s spotlight is in Chocolate Covered Pretzels.
Chocolate covered pretzels are a popular snack that combines the sweet taste of chocolate with the salty taste of pretzels. They are made with pretzel twists or pretzel rods that are coated in melted chocolate and sprinkled with flaky sea salt. The pretzels are crunchy, and the chocolate is smooth. Chocolate covered pretzels are a great treat for holidays or gifts. They can be customized for any occasion and are fun for kids to help make.

Read More

Celebrating Noodles

Celebrating Noodles

Today’s focus is on Noodles.
Noodles are a type of food made from unleavened dough which is either rolled flat and cut, stretched, or extruded, into long strips or strings. Noodles are a staple food in many cultures and made into a variety of shapes.
A noodle is a long, thin strip of pasta made from flour, water, and sometimes eggs. Noodles are usually cooked in boiling water or soup. They can also be pan-fried or deep-fried. Noodles are often served with a sauce or in a soup. Noodles are springy long ribbons, like Ramen or Udon. Pasta can come in shapes like bow ties and large tubes, such as elbow macaroni.

Read More

Celebrating Apple Betty

Celebrating Apple Betty

Today’s Spotlight is on Apple Betty.
An Apple Betty or Brown Betty is a traditional American dessert made from fruit and sweetened crumbs. Similar to a cobbler or apple crisp, the fruit is baked, and, in this case, the sweetened crumbs are placed in layers between the fruit. It is usually served with lemon sauce or whipped cream.
Apple crisp and apple betty are similar apple desserts. The main difference is in the crumble topping. Apple crisps use a flour and oat mixture, while apple Bettys use breadcrumbs. The topping for apple Bettys is layered throughout the fruit mixture before baking. This creates a crunchy effect.

Read More

Celebrating Tacos

Celebrating Tacos

Today’s spotlight is on Tacos.
A taco is a traditional Mexican food consisting of a small tortilla filled with various ingredients and folded or rolled into a loose cylinder shape. The tortilla is usually fried and can be made from corn or wheat. The filling can include beans, rice, chopped meat, cheese, and tomatoes. The taco is then eaten by hand.
The word "taco" comes from the Spanish spoken in Mexico. It translates to "wedge". Tacos were first introduced to the United States in 1905 by Mexican migrants who brought their food with them. At the time, tacos were a cheap and portable street food.

Read More

Celebrating the Sandwich

Celebrating the Sandwich

Today’s spotlight is on the sandwich.
A sandwich is a food that consists of two or more slices of bread with a filling of meat, cheese, jam, or other foods placed between them. The filling is usually held together by the person who picks up the sandwich when ready to eat. For example, bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich.
Sandwiches can also be defined as any dish where bread serves as a container or wrapper for another food type. For example, hamburgers, quesadillas, and some cookies are sandwiches.

Read More

Kosher Turkey Sliders

Kosher Turkey Sliders

Today I got a submission from Fork U Friend and fellow foodie Don T.  I watched the clip below and decided that this should be on everyone’s Super bowl party table . I am a huge fan of sliders and these look terrific.

Read More

Celebrating Fried Scallops

Celebrating Fried Scallops

Today’s Spotlight is on Fried Scallops.
Scallops are a type of shellfish with two hinged shells. They are a bivalve mollusk, which means they are related to clams, mussels, and oysters. When a scallop opens its shell, you can see the fleshy part of the animal inside. This is the part that we eat. The interior muscle of a scallop can range in color from white to pink or even orange.

Read More

Celebrating Hot Mulled CIder

Celebrating Hot Mulled CIder

Today’s spotlight is in Hot Mulled Cider.
Hot mulled cider, a traditional drink made from heated apple cider with various spices added, including citrus orange, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon.
Hot mulled cider, is a traditional drink that's been enjoyed during winter festivities for as long as mulled wine. It's often served during the fall holidays of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve.

Read More

Celebrating Coffee

Celebrating Coffee

Today’s spotlight is on Coffee.
Coffee is a beverage made from roasted and ground seeds of the coffee plant. The coffee plant is a tropical evergreen that can grow to over 30 feet tall. The coffee cherries are harvested nine months after the tree flowers. The cherries are pulped to remove the fruit, which is known as washed coffee.
Coffee is one of the three most popular beverages in the world, along with water and tea. It is also one of the most profitable international commodities. Coffee is brewed with very hot or boiling water and roasted and ground coffee beans. The caffeine in coffee stimulates the central nervous system, heart, and muscles. Studies have found that people who regularly drink coffee may be less likely to develop chronic illnesses.

Read More

Celebrating Beer

Celebrating Beer

Today’s spotlight is on Beer.
Beer is an alcoholic beverage made from a combination of barley, water, hops, and yeast. The ingredients are combined and fermented to become alcoholic. The alcohol content of beer varies depending on the brewing process, ingredients used, and fermentation.

Read More

Pin It on Pinterest