Cheesecake Coffee
Cheesecake Coffee
If you love cheesecake and coffee, this Cheesecake Coffee combines the two into one rich, creamy drink that tastes like dessert from your favorite coffee shop. Freshly brewed coffee is flavored with vanilla and a sweet cheesecake-inspired cream mixture for a decadent drink you can make right at home.
The secret is a little cream cheese blended into the milk mixture. It gives the coffee that unmistakable tangy, creamy cheesecake flavor without making the drink overly heavy. Add whipped cream and graham cracker crumbs on top, and you have a coffee that really does taste like a slice of cheesecake in a mug.
Serve this cheesecake-flavored coffee hot for a cozy morning drink or turn it into an iced coffee when you want something cold and creamy.
Why You’ll Love This Cheesecake Coffee
This recipe takes everyday coffee and turns it into something that feels like a coffee shop treat. It’s especially fun when you want to experiment with flavored coffees at home without buying another bottle of flavored syrup.
You’ll love it because it’s:
- Rich and creamy
- Made with real cream cheese
- Ready in minutes
- Easy to customize
- Delicious hot or iced
- Perfect for dessert-coffee lovers
- Finished with graham cracker crumbs for true cheesecake flavor
What Does Cheesecake Coffee Taste Like?
Cheesecake Coffee has the familiar roasted flavor of coffee combined with a sweet, creamy vanilla flavor and just enough cream cheese tang to remind you of cheesecake.
The graham cracker garnish is more than decoration. When you get a little whipped cream and graham cracker crumb with a sip of coffee, it helps bring all those cheesecake flavors together.
It isn’t literally cheesecake blended into coffee. Instead, we’re taking the flavors that make cheesecake so delicious—cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, cream, and graham crackers—and using them to create a coffee drink.
Cheesecake Coffee Ingredients
For one large coffee, you’ll need:
- 1 cup freshly brewed strong coffee
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1–2 tablespoons granulated sugar, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Whipped cream, for topping
- Graham cracker crumbs, for garnish
How to Make Cheesecake Coffee
Brew the Coffee
Start by brewing one cup of your favorite coffee. I recommend making it slightly stronger than you normally would because the cheesecake mixture will mellow the coffee flavor.
Pour the hot coffee into a large mug and set it aside while you prepare the cheesecake mixture.
Make the Cheesecake Cream
Add the softened cream cheese, milk, heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla to a small saucepan.
Heat over low heat, whisking constantly until the cream cheese has completely melted into the milk and the mixture is hot and smooth.
Don’t let the mixture boil.
You want everything warm enough to blend while keeping the milk and cream smooth.
Add It to the Coffee
Slowly pour the warm cheesecake mixture into your freshly brewed coffee while stirring.
Taste and adjust the sweetness if needed.
Garnish
Top the Cheesecake Coffee with a generous swirl of whipped cream.
Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs over the whipped cream.
For an extra-pretty coffee-shop presentation, tuck a small piece of graham cracker into the whipped cream.
Serve immediately.
How to Get the Smoothest Cheesecake Coffee
The biggest trick with this recipe is getting the cream cheese completely smooth.
Soften the cream cheese first. Cold cream cheese is much more difficult to incorporate into a liquid.
Use low heat. You don’t need to boil the mixture. Gentle heat is enough to melt and blend the cream cheese.
Whisk continuously. This helps break down any small pieces of cream cheese.
For an exceptionally silky drink, you can use a handheld milk frother after heating the cheesecake mixture. It creates a creamy, lightly foamed consistency that’s perfect for coffee.
Can I Make Cheesecake Coffee with a Milk Frother?
Yes. In fact, a milk frother is one of my favorite ways to finish this drink.
Prepare the cheesecake milk mixture first, then froth it briefly before adding it to your coffee.
Don’t overfill your frother, and check the manufacturer’s instructions before putting cream cheese or thicker mixtures directly into an automatic frothing machine. A handheld frother gives you more flexibility.
What Kind of Coffee Should I Use?
Use a coffee you already enjoy drinking.
Medium or dark roast works particularly well because the stronger coffee flavor balances the richness of the cream cheese and sugar.
You can also make this recipe with espresso. Add one or two shots of espresso to your mug and increase the milk slightly to create more of a Cheesecake Latte.
Cheesecake Coffee vs. Cheesecake Latte
The difference is mainly the coffee base.
This Cheesecake Coffee recipe uses brewed coffee, making it easy to prepare without an espresso machine.
A cheesecake latte typically uses espresso with a larger proportion of steamed milk.
If you have an espresso machine, you can easily turn this recipe into a latte by using two shots of espresso instead of the cup of brewed coffee.
Can I Make the Cheesecake Cream Ahead of Time?
Yes. The cheesecake mixture can be prepared ahead and kept covered in the refrigerator for about 2–3 days.
It will thicken when cold because of the cream cheese.
For hot coffee, gently warm it in a small saucepan while whisking until smooth.
For iced coffee, stir or froth the cold mixture before adding it to your glass.
More Ways to Use Cheesecake Coffee Cream
The cheesecake mixture doesn’t have to be limited to hot coffee.
Try adding it to cold brew, iced espresso, homemade frappes, hot chocolate, or even chai.
You can also make a larger batch and keep it refrigerated as a homemade cheesecake coffee creamer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put cream cheese in coffee?
Yes, but it works best when the cream cheese is first blended with milk and gently heated. Adding a cold block of cream cheese directly to hot coffee won’t give you the same smooth consistency.
Does Cheesecake Coffee taste sour?
No. The cream cheese provides a subtle tang that balances the sweetness and gives the drink its cheesecake character, but the finished coffee should taste creamy and sweet rather than sour.
Can I make this without heavy cream?
Yes. You can replace the heavy cream with additional milk. The finished drink won’t be quite as rich, but it will still have plenty of cheesecake flavor.
Can I use flavored coffee?
Absolutely. Vanilla, caramel, chocolate, cinnamon, and seasonal flavored coffees all pair nicely with cheesecake flavors.
Can Cheesecake Coffee be served cold?
Yes. Chill the cheesecake mixture and combine it with cold brew or chilled coffee over ice.
Cheesecake Coffee Recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 large coffee
