Best Easter Bakes 2023

If it's possible for a person to eat too much chocolate, Easter is probably the time it would happen. As much as we love chocolate at Cafe2U, the last thing we want is for anyone to make themselves poorly by overdoing it over the coming weekend so we've compiled a list of easy and delicious Easter bakes for you to try at home to bring some variety to your diet (don't worry, chocolate still features prominently!).

Better still, all these bakes go great with a cup of top-quality coffee so, without further ado, here are our top Easter 2023 bakes!

Easter Traybake

This Easter-themed traybake is a great option to make with kids and can be decorated with any Easter sweets and treats of your choosing!

Ingredients

To make an Easter traybake, you will need:

• 150ml sunflower oil, plus extra for the tin

• 165g golden caster sugar

• 2 eggs

• 150ml milk

• 165g self-raising flour

• 3 tbsp cocoa powder

• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

For the chocolate fudge icing, you will need: 

• 100g milk or dark chocolate, chopped (either a chocolate bar or Easter egg, broken up)

• 100g butter, softened

• 100g icing sugar

• 100g Easter treats (chocolate eggs, sweets etc)

Begin by heating your oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4, then oil and line a traybake tin, about 20 x 30cm, and 5cm deep. 

Put the oil, sugar, eggs and milk in a bowl and whisk until well combined. Sieve over the flour, cocoa and bicarb, and stir briefly until combined. Pour the mixture into the tin and bake for 20-25 mins until the cake is well risen and springy. Leave to cool completely on a wire rack.

Next, melt the chocolate in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water - ensuring the bowl doesn't touch the water - then leave to cool for a few minutes.

Finally, beat the butter and icing sugar together until pale and fluffy, then drizzle in the chocolate and beat again until smooth. Swirl the icing over the top of the cake, then decorate with the Easter treats to serve.

Carrot Patch Cake

Take a (short) break from chocolate with this tasty carrot cake. The Easter bunny would definitely approve!

Ingredients

To make Carrot Patch Cake, you will need:

• 175ml vegetable oil, plus extra for the tin

• 75g natural yoghurt

• 3 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 200g self-raising flour

• 250g light muscovado sugar

• 2 tsp ground cinnamon

• ¼ fresh nutmeg, finely grated

• 200g carrots (about three), grated

• 100g sultanas or raisins

• 100g pistachios, finely chopped

For the icing, you will need:

• 100g slightly salted butter, softened

• 200g icing sugar

• 100g full-fat cream cheese

• 100g fondant icing or marzipan

• orange food colouring

First, heat your oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4, then oil and line a 900g loaf tin with parchment paper. Whisk the oil, yoghurt, eggs and vanilla in a jug. Then mix the flour, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg with a good pinch of salt in a bowl. Squeeze any lumps of sugar through your fingers, shaking the bowl occasionally to bring the lumps to the surface.

Next, add the wet ingredients to the dry, along with the carrots, raisins and half the pistachios. Mix well to combine, then scrape into the tin. Bake for 1 hr 10 mins or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. If any wet mixture clings to the skewer, return to the oven for 5 mins, then check again. Leave to cool in the tin.

To make the icing, beat the butter and sugar together until smooth. Add half the cream cheese and beat again, then add the rest. Remove the cake from the tin and spread the icing thickly on top. Scatter with some of the remaining pistachios. Dye the fondant or marzipan orange by kneading in a drop of food colouring. Roll into little carrot shapes, arrange on top of the cake, then serve.

Easter Egg Cookies

Decadent and perfect for dunking, these seasonal cookies taste as good as they look!

Ingredients

To make 20 Easter Egg Cookies, you will need:

• 175g butter, softened

• 200g light brown soft sugar

• 100g golden caster sugar

• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

• 1 large egg

• 250g plain flour

• ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda

• 50g white chocolate, chopped into chunks

• 100g bar dark chocolate, chopped into chunks

• 100g mini chocolate eggs, crushed

Start by heating your oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, then tip the butter, sugars and vanilla into a bowl. Beat with a whisk until pale and fluffy, then add the egg and beat again. Tip in the flour, bicarb and a pinch of salt, then use a spatula to mix together before adding the chocolate chunks and about half the crushed mini eggs. Mix again until everything is combined.

Next, scoop golf-ball-sized mounds of cookie dough onto the baking sheets, making sure you leave plenty of space between each one. Push the remaining mini egg pieces into the tops, then bake for 15-18 mins, swapping the sheets around halfway through. 

Remove from the oven and leave to cool for 10 mins before transferring to a wire rack, then bake the second batch.

Happy Easter from Cafe2U!

We hope all our customers have a happy Easter and a great bank holiday weekend. 

If you find yourself in need of some top quality coffee to accompany one of these bakes or some of your chocolate eggs, contact your local Cafe2U van here and we'll deliver some straight to your door!

The Best Festive Food and Drink: Our Recipes

When people in the UK think of Christmas, the first things that come to mind tend to be presents, brightly decorated trees and Santa. But without a doubt, one of the best things about the festive period is the food and drink - from pigs in blankets to Christmas pud and mulled wine.

If you fancy trying your hand in the kitchen this Christmas but can't decide what to make, check out our sumptuous suggestions below. 'Tis the season, after all!

Mince pie brownies

If you a) like mince pies and b) like brownies then boy have we got the recipe for you! These delicious bakes combine the best of both worlds, stay fresh for days AND are easy to make.

Ingredients

To make a batch of 16 brownies, you will need:

• 185g unsalted butter, cubed

• 185g high-quality dark chocolate, chopped

• 85g plain flour

• 40g cocoa powder

• 3 large eggs

• 275g golden caster sugar

• 6 mince pies

• icing sugar

Start by melting the butter and chocolate in a bowl placed over a pan of simmering water. Stir occasionally until melted, then leave to cool. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4, line the base of a shallow 20cm square tin with non-stick baking parchment and sieve the flour and cocoa into a medium bowl.

Next, whisk the eggs and sugar until thick and creamy, which should take 3-8 mins. Add in the cooled chocolate mixture, then gently fold together using a figure of eight motion until the mixture is dark brown - try not to knock out all the air! Sift in the cocoa and flour mixture and continue gently folding until the mixture goes from looking dry and dusty to looking fudgey.

Spoon a little mixture into the prepared tin, then add the mince pies, whole. Pour over the rest of the mixture, ensuring it goes between and over the pies, then pop in the oven for 25 minutes. If the brownie mixture is very wobbly in the middle, it’s not quite done, so bake for another 5 -10 mins. Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin, then dust with icing sugar, cut into squares and tuck in!

Gingerbread stars

These brilliant biscuits can double as Christmas tree ornaments and are perfect for baking with kids.

Ingredients

To make a batch of gingerbread stars, you will need:

• 100g salted butter

• 3 tbsp golden syrup

• 100g dark muscovado sugar

• ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda

• 1 tbsp ground ginger

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 225g plain flour

• 50g icing sugar

Heat the butter, syrup and sugar in a pan until melted, stirring occasionally, then set aside to cool.

Mix together the bicarbonate of soda, ginger, cinnamon and flour in a large bowl, then pour in the butter and syrup mixture and stir to combine. Next, use your hands to bring everything together and form a dough. Place the dough on a sheet of baking parchment paper, shape into a rectangle and lay another sheet of parchment on top. Then roll the dough out to a thickness of ½cm, place on a baking sheet - leaving the parchment in place - and chill in the fridge for 1 hour.

Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5 and line a large baking sheet with more baking parchment. Remove the dough from the fridge and cut out star shapes (or whatever shape you prefer) using a cookie cutter, then place them on the lined baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes. Leave to cool completely on the baking sheet.

Meanwhile, mix the icing sugar with 1-2 tbsp water and decorate the biscuits with the icing using a piping bag fitted with a thin nozzle. To use as tree ornaments, simply cut out the middle, thread with ribbon and get hanging!

Eggnog latte

As far as we're concerned, a good proportion of Christmas drinks ought to be rich, sweet and delicious, and nothing fits the bill better than this cheeky delight.

Ingredients

To make one eggnog latte, you will need:

• 35ml espresso

• 100ml milk, steamed and whisked until frothy

• 150ml eggnog

• a pinch of nutmeg 

• a pinch of ground cinnamon

Begin by pouring the espresso into a large mug, then top with most of the frothy milk, then the eggnog. Stir, add the rest of the milk and sprinkle with the nutmeg and cinnamon to serve.

To make frothy milk, either heat the milk gently in a pan while whisking or, if you have one, use a coffee machine.

Here's to a Merry Christmas!

Whatever Christmas has in store for us all this year, there's nothing to stop you making sure yours is a tasty one with a bit of home cooking. And to make sure your coffee requirements are all taken care of, our mobile vans will be out and about throughout the festive period - to find your nearest van and have some top quality coffee delivered to your door, click here.

Festive Recipes: Christmas Bakes that Everyone can Make

As we get even closer to Christmas, here at Cafe2U we’ve decided to compile a list of recipes of all the best festive bakes we can find.

Our list should get you right into the Christmas spirit, plus most of these come with a Cafe2U coffee twist!

Gingerbread Latte Cake

For all the latte lovers out there, this decadent cake serves up to sixteen people! This showstopper has many different flavours, spices and of course that wonderful hint of coffee!

It’s a cake that requires a lot of effort to make, so be prepared to spend around three hours preparing and baking! If you’re feeling really creative add some decorative edible Christmas trees on top to really impress your family and friends!

You can find the full ingredients and method from Sainsbury’s. We hope you enjoy making this wonderful cake!

Espresso Martini Cake

Another delight from Sainsbury’s, the Espresso Martini Cake - it’s the perfect grown up treat to enjoy over Christmas!

It’s a chocolate sponge cake that’s then drizzled with boozy coffee syrup then layered up with indulgent espresso icing at the top! It’s another big cake that can serve a lot of people. 

Take a look at the full list of ingredients and the seven steps it takes to make this spin on the alcohol beverage. 

Coffee Chocolate Christmas Cake

A coffee and chocolate twist on the classic Christmas cake, for all of you that would prefer a much more indulgent treat! If your family and guests fancy a change, we recommend that you prepare this cake the night before - so you can enjoy this gorgeous cake together on Christmas Day.

Take a look at the lists of ingredients and the method for making this delightful cake here. 

Mince Pies

This recipe from BBC Good Food, is ideal if you don’t want to put too much effort into making them but still want a delicious treat. It’s easy to get the kids involved and there’s also no rolling required!

Take a look at what ingredients you need and the six step method to make these pies here. 

Christmas Biscuits

Here’s another example where the kids can get involved in the prep and baking. What’s more, you can cut out a range of festive shapes from the spiced orange dough and get creative decorating them with pretty coloured icing.

Take a look at the full ingredients and cooking instructions for these great Christmas treats! 

Christmas with Cafe2U

We wanted to give you a little reminder that our Christmas drinks have returned - and one of our festive beverages could be the perfect accompaniment to this baking.

This means our Christmas Classics and Winter Warmers range is back ready for you to enjoy. There are drinks such as the Gingerbread Latte, the Festive Spiced Biscuit Cappuccino and an Irish Cream Mocha - plus many more! Be sure to ask your local barista to see the full menu.

Also, if you’re struggling with gift ideas this Christmas or fancy some last minute shopping, we have the perfect coffee gift guide. Take a look at our Christmas coffee gifts blog here and see our present suggestions that are perfectly designed for coffee lovers. 

Halloween Recipes: Our Halloween Baking Ideas and Drinks

If you’re looking to frighten and delight your taste buds this Halloween, look no further than the list of easy Halloween baking ideas and Halloween-themed drinks that we have compiled.

We’ve provided a dead good collection of cakes, treats and spooky drinks. It’s a real treat from a few culinary tricks.

A Pumpkin Spice Latte

It may not be the spookiest but it’s still a Halloween spin on a classic coffee that you can make at home. Here’s what you'll need to create this warm delight:

• 2 tbsp pumpkin purée

• 1 tbsp soft brown sugar

• ¼ tsp mixed spice

• ¼ tsp cinnamon

• 250ml whole or semi-skimmed milk

• 2 shots espresso coffee

• Whipped cream and cocoa, to serve (optional)

Mix the pumpkin purée, sugar, spices and milk in a microwave-proof jug. Stir and combine your ingredients. Then cover your mixture with Clingfilm, then carefully pierce the Clingfilm, to let the steam escape. Microwave on full power for 1½-2 mins, until the milk is hot.

Using an electric milk frother or whisk, whisk for 30-45 secs until the milk is really frothy. Pour the hot coffee into a mug or glass, then add the spiced pumpkin milk. Top with cream, if using, then dust with a little more mixed spice and some cocoa if you’re feeling adventurous!

You can find the full recipe here.

Halloween Cocktails

For the adults, here are some fantastic Halloween-based drinks that can really get you in the mood for the frightful festivities.

Here’s what you’ll need to make The Witch’s Heart Cocktail:

• 1 shot apple brandy or apple vodka chilled

• 1 tsp grenadine

• Shaker

• Homemade Blackberry Shimmery Liqueur

• Powdered dry ice optional Martini glass or wine glass to serve

Add about 1/2 or 1 tablespoon of powdered dry ice to the bottom of the glass. Then place your apple brandy and purple shimmery liqueur into a shaker. Add one ice cube and shake for a few seconds to chill your concoction.

Then you’re ready to strain the drink into your glass. You can top up your drink with more purple shimmery liqueur if you feel it’s necessary.

Now you can put in one tablespoon of grenadine syrup, about an inch from the surface of the drink - the grenadine should sink to the bottom, creating a "bleeding" effect.

Add about 1/2 tsp of powdered dry ice on top and serve with a stirrer to create that shimmery, smoky effect.

Pumpkin Coffee Cake

This recipe recommends that you have it as breakfast but we think it works great as a dessert. Here’s how you can put a coffee spin on your pumpkin cake, start with your ingredients:

For the Coffee Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice

• 1 cup pure pumpkin puree

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 1/2 cup non-fat milk

For the streusel:

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 cup brown sugar

• 1 tbsp cinnamon Pinch salt

Once you’ve collected your ingredients, preheat your oven and spray a pan with nonstick cooking spray. Then Mix your two cups of flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice into a large bowl.

Start whisking and combing, then you can stir in the pumpkin, vegetable oil, vanilla and milk. Pour them all into a prepared pan.

In a smaller bowl, mix the melted butter with 1/4 cup flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir with a fork to get the mix to combine. Then you can spread it on top of the pumpkin cake layer.

Bake for 30-40 minutes, store it then covered on the counter for up to 2 days or freeze for up to one month.

Spider Biscuits

Something to get the kids involved in! These spider style biscuits can be made easily and here’s what you’ll need:

• 70g butter, softened

• 50g peanut butter

• 150g golden caster sugar

• 1 medium egg

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 180g plain flour

• ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda

• 20 peanut butter cups, Rolos or Maltesers

• 100g milk chocolate, chopped Icing eyes, or make your own

Prepare the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and line two baking sheets with parchment.

Using a whisk, cream the butter, peanut butter and sugar together until they are very light and fluffy, then beat in the egg and vanilla. Once you’ve combined these ingredients, stir in the flour, bicarb and ¼ tsp salt.

Scoop 18-20 tbsps of the mixture onto the trays, leaving enough space between each to allow for spreading out. Make a thumbprint in the centre of the cookies.

Bake for 10-12 mins or until firm at the edges but still soft in the middle – they should harden a little as they cool. Leave to cool on the tray for a few mins before topping each biscuit with a peanut butter cup, Rolo or Malteser (or your chosen chocolate). Put your creation onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Now for the fun part, heat the chocolate in the microwave in short bursts, or in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water, until it’s just liquid. Scrape into a piping bag and leave to cool for a little while. Pipe the legs onto each spider, then stick two eyes on each. Leave to set.

These will keep for three days in an airtight container. You can find the full recipe here.

Halloween Punch

If you’re looking for something non-alcoholic but also Halloween themed, then this punch is designed for you! Get making this spooky delight using these ingredients:

• 2l cherry juice

• Peel from 3 oranges , pared with a vegetable peeler

• 1 thumb-sized red chilli, pierced a few times but left whole

• 3 cinnamon sticks

• 10 cloves

• 6 slices ginger

• Dracula's fangs sweets (available from sweet shops), to serve, optional

Tip the cherry juice, orange peel, chilli, cinnamon sticks, cloves and ginger into a large saucepan. Heat for 5 mins, then turn off the heat. Leave it to cool, then chill for at least 4 hrs, or up to 2 days – the longer you leave it the more intense the flavours will get. If serving it to young children, take the chilli out after a few hours.

These are just a few of the recipes you can make for this Halloween, we hope you have a fun and sensible time no matter what you get up to! Make sure you check out our new drinks menu - it’ll add that little bit extra to your Halloween!

Top Five Best Autumn Coffee Recipes

Now that summer has officially ended it’s the perfect time to share five of our best autumn coffee recipes!

From spiced classics to underrated treats, dive into this list and find your new favourite coffee drink that you can make from home as the weather gets colder and the nights draw in - just be sure to make sure you let us know how you get on!

#1 Pumpkin Spice Latte

A well-known classic and one of the most popular drinks for this time of year. Here’s the ingredients that you will need:

• 1 1/2 tbsps of sugar

• 2 tbsps of pumpkin puree

• 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice

• 1/2 cup (4oz / 115g) brewed coffee

• 1/2 cups (4oz / 115g) milk

Once you’ve collected your ingredients, add them all to a saucepan.

Stir all of your ingredients in the pan until they simmer and then take your pan off heat and pour into a mug.

Then, decorate your drink with freshly whipped cream and a sprinkles of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon. You can find the full recipe with instructions ​here​, as well as a ​video​ showing you how to do it!

#2 Homemade Iced Maple Latte

This one can be made with or without ice - it’s up to you!

Let's start with the ingredients:

• 1 cup of milk

• 1-2 cups of ice

• 1 1/2 cups of coffee or espresso, at room temperature (if you want a warm latte, you can leave your coffee warm and omit the ice)

• 2 tbsps of pure maple syrup

In a jar with a lid, pour milk and shake vigorously back and forth for a minute, until foamy. Take off the lid and microwave for 15 seconds. Fill two large glasses with ice (optional).

Pour coffee evenly between the glasses. Drizzle in maple syrup between two cups.

If you like your lattes on the sweeter side, use a more maple syrup per cup.

Using a spoon, hold back the foam and pour a little milk into each glass. Then, take spoonfuls of the foam to add on top of the latte. Stir to combine and then it’s all yours to enjoy!

You can find the full recipe ​here.

#3 Gingerbread Spiced Coffee

This is a sweet, indulgent, warming drink for those who want a change from hot chocolate.

Let’s get stuck in with the ingredients for serving six:

• 175g of black treacle

• 4 tbsps of dark brown soft sugar

• 1⁄2 a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda

• 1 teaspoon of ground ginger

• 3⁄4 of a teaspoon of ground cinnamon

• 1.5l of hot brewed coffee

• 250ml of single cream

• 100g of whipped cream

• 1 teaspoon of ground cloves

In a small bowl, mix together the black treacle, dark brown soft sugar, bicarb, ginger and cinnamon until well blended.

Cover all of this up and then refrigerate it for at least 10 minutes.

Add about 60ml of coffee to each cup, then stir in a tablespoon of the spice until dissolved.

Fill the cup to within an inch of the top with coffee. Stir in single cream to taste, then garnish with whipped cream and a light dusting of ground clove. Then you’re all set to enjoy your creation!

You can find the full recipe ​here​ with images and instructions.

#4 The Mocha

Treat yourself with a Mocha this autumn - we have found a recipe where you don’t even need a machine! Alternatively you can always order a mocha from your nearest Cafe2U van!

Here’s the ingredients to make a homemade mocha:

• 1 cup of milk

• 1 tbsp of cocoa powder

• 1 square of dark chocolate baking bar or 1 tbsp of dark chocolate chips for decoration

• 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder or instant coffee

• 1 – 2 tbsp(s) of sugar

Firstly, heat your cup of milk over a pan on medium heat. Then your milk should start steaming, when this happens add your cocoa powder to the mix.

Now you can add your chocolate sprinkles or choc chips.

One of the final things to do is add your espresso powder into the mix. Once it’s all mixed pour into a mug and add some sugar!

You can find the full recipe ​here​ with pics!

#5 Red Velvet Latte

Not only is this latte appealing to the taste buds, but it’s probably the most visually appealing one on our list so far. A coffee that blends a delicious taste of vanilla and chocolate, here’s the ingredients you’ll be needing:

• 1 cup of whole milk

• 1 tbsp of sugar

• 3 oz of semi-sweet chocolate chunks

• 1/4 tsp of red food colouring

• 1/4 tsp of vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup of freshly brewed coffee

Put your milk and sugar into a medium sized saucepan. Bring your mix to a simmer on medium heat, keep stirring to dissolve the sugar in.

Remove your pan from the heat. Stir in the chocolate until it melts. Then add in your food colouring, coffee and vanilla - mix altogether.

Then your creation should be ready to serve - make sure you serve it up warm as that’s when it tastes the nicest!

Those are just a few of the recipes that you can enjoy this upcoming autumn and into winter! Let us know how you get on trying to make all of these delights, send your creations in via our social media channels.

The Best Iced Coffee Recipes

Our summer drinks range is back and we’ve got plenty of tasty options to keep you cool on those hot summer days.

However, for when you can’t get your Cafe2U coffee fix, we’ve put together a list of five of our favourite iced coffee recipes for you to make at home and enjoy yourself.

#1 Classic cold brew

An ice cold coffee is a refreshing way to kickstart the day, and it’s really easy to make at home.

All you need is:

• 50g of ground coffee

• Ice Water

Simply put 400ml of cold water into a large jug and add the coffee grounds, but do not stir the mixture straight away. Instead cover and leave for 24 hours.

After this, gently stir the mixture and pour it through a funnel or sieve lined with coffee filter paper (or a sheet of kitchen paper) into another large jug - this concentrate will keep in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.

To serve, dilute 1 part cold brew with 2 parts still or sparkling water (or to your taste) and serve with lots of ice. Find the full recipe here.

#2 Dalgona iced coffee

Dalgona coffee is the perfect indulgent drink to enjoy in the summer! Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

• 2 tbsp. granulated sugar

• 2 tbsp. instant coffee

• 2 tbsp. cold water

• Ice, for serving

• Milk, for serving

Simply whisk the coffee, sugar and water in a bowl for approximately five mins until the mixture is thick and fluffy with stiff peaks - this is easily done using an electric whisk but can be done by hand.

Then pour the cold milk into two glasses.

Divide the coffee mixture in half and spoon evenly on top of the glasses - serve and stir thoroughly before drinking.

Check out the full recipe here.

#3 Coffee ice cubes

This one is almost too easy - use your leftover brewed coffee and you’re on to a winner, you’ll need:

• Brewed coffee

• An ice cube tray

To start, let your already brewed coffee cool to room temperature, then pour the coffee into ice cube trays and freeze - use in place of ice cubes in your favourite cold coffee beverage.

You can find the full recipe and example of how these little beauties can look here.

#4 Cinnamon and vanilla iced coffee

This one is super refreshing and perfect for people with a sweet tooth.

You need:

• 1 and a 1/2 cups ground strong coffee

• 8 cups water

• Ice

• 2 teaspoons vanilla cinnamon syrup

Add the coffee grounds and water to a large pitcher and stir - cover and let it sit at room temperature overnight for up to 12 hours. Strain mixture through a coffee filter, discard the leftover coffee grounds and store the coffee in the fridge until you are ready to use it.

Fill a large glass with ice cubes - add coffee, vanilla syrup, and milk/cream (to taste.)

Stir to combine, taste and adjust milk/cream and/or vanilla cinnamon syrup as needed.

You can find the full recipe here.

#5 Vietnamese ice coffee

This popular drink from Vietnam only requires three ingredients, water, milk and coffee (of course).

Place the coffee grounds in a heat proof container and slowly pour boiling water over the grounds in a circular motion to evenly saturate - do not stir. Line a coffee cone with a paper filter and place the cone over another heat proof container.

Slowly pour the steeped coffee through the filter, allowing all the liquid to drip through completely, discard the filter and coffee grounds and stir the condensed milk into the coffee until well blended. When you are ready to pour, serve the coffee mixture in a chilled glass or cup.

You can find the full recipe here.

We hope you enjoyed this list and have a good time making these drinks whilst the weather is nice - make sure you also share your homemade concoctions with us on our social media channels.

Our Top Five Alcohol and Coffee Beverages

With pubs back open in the UK, we thought we’d share some of our favourite alcohol and coffee combos - the best of both worlds.

Take a look at our top five alcohol and coffee beverages and their recipes below:

#1 A famous one

Possibly the most popular drink containing alcohol and coffee - The Irish Coffee.

This drink is a perfect end of dinner treat, and it’s so easy to make:

• 2 tbsp double cream

• 150ml freshly brewed black coffee

• 50ml Irish whiskey

• 1 tsp brown sugar

• Chocolate shavings

Simply fill your mug with hot water and let it sit for two minutes. Pour out the water and add 1 tsp of light brown sugar. Pour in your coffee to dissolve the sugar and add your whiskey.

Top off the coffee with cream, gently pouring it over the back of a warm spoon to form a thick layer. Garnish with chocolate shavings and enjoy. You can find the full recipe here.

#2 A french connection

You will adore the Cafe Amore - the perfect combination of amaretto and coffee. It’s so good, and so easy to make. All you need is:

• 1 oz brandy

• 1 oz amaretto

• 4 oz black coffee

• Whipped cream

• Shaved almonds

Simply combine the brandy, amaretto and coffee, top with whipped cream and add your almonds. You can find the full recipe here.

#3 A taste of the Caribbean

Don’t put the amaretto away just yet, this time we’ll add a little rum to make a classic Caribbean coffee cocktail. All you need is:

• 1 oz rum

• ½ oz amaretto

• 6 oz coffee (hot, black)

• Whipped cream

• Shaved almonds

Simply combine the rum and amaretto, add your coffee and top with whipped cream and almonds.

#4 A little chillier

For those of you after something a little more potent, the Long Island Iced Coffee is the one for you. Essentially, you’re replacing the tea in a Long Island Iced Tea with coffee and adding some cream liqueurs. All you need is:

• ½ oz Baileys

• ½ oz Kahlua

• ½ oz vodka

• ½ oz rum

• ½ oz tequila

• Cold brew or iced coffee Ice cubes

Combine all of your ingredients in a cocktail shaker with one cup of ice, shake vigorously, pour and enjoy - you don’t have to use everything listed, make your own variation if you want a little less booze. You can find the original recipe here.

#5 A classic

We’ll finish off with a classic - the espresso Martini. The perfect way to perk up your evening and an ideal after dinner drink. All you need is:

• 65ml vodka

• 75ml coffee liqueur (like Kahlua or Tia Maria)

• 75ml freshly brewed espresso

• Coffee beans

This should be enough for two people - put the vodka, coffee liqueur and freshly brewed espresso into a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice. Using hot espresso helps to create a creamy head on the cocktail. Mix for 30 seconds until it's chilled and top with a couple of coffee beans. Find the full recipe here.

Let us know which one you make at home on our social media channels! You can also check out our coffee menu here if you’d prefer to stick to a more traditional brew!

Vanilla Ice Cream Day Recipes: A Selection of the Best

Vanilla Ice Cream Day is fast approaching and with the hot weather arriving, we have decided to combine two of our favourite treats - ice cream and coffee.

Dive into our list of recipes, from affogato to homemade ice cream, below!

Let’s begin with the classic

The affogato is a classic summer dessert that can be made easily. You can enjoy this treat with little to no preparation. You will need to get a scoop (or as many scoops as you would like) of ice cream and then pour shots of espresso over the ice cream. That’s it!

With this being so simple you should think to spruce it up! Add sprinkles or a flake to your ice cream, make it that extra bit special on a hot day! You can find a recipe and examples here.

How about something homemade?

No churn coffee ice cream is the way to go and can be simply made like an affogato! You will need:

• 300ml/10fl oz double cream

• 175g/6oz condensed milk

• 2 tbsp instant espresso powder

• 2 tbsp espresso liqueur (or coffee liqueur)

Whisk all of these ingredients together and wait until a soft peak forms. Then you should have a coffee coloured mixture.

Once you have said mixture, freeze for six hours or overnight and you should have a coffee masterpiece. You can find the recipe, ingredients and a video of how to make this ice cream here.

Something to cool you down…

If you’ve got a blender this is the ideal summer drink! A coffee frappe is a perfect solution to the hot weather. A true coffee treat, you will need:

• 3 medium scoops vanilla ice cream

• 1 cup of ice

• 1 cup of chilled brewed coffee

• ½ a cup of milk

• 2 tbsp of syrup

• Whipped cream (optional for topping off)

• Cocoa powder (optional for topping off)

Then all you need to do is blend all these ingredients together and you will have made yourself the perfect ice cream coffee drink! Follow this method for the best possible results!

Those are just three ways you can celebrate Vanilla Ice Cream Day! Let us know how you are incorporating ice cream into your coffees this week! Look back at all of our other previous recipes and coffee blogs for more tips!

Coffee Cupcake Recipe

Here at Cafe2U, we know coffee and cake… and we LOVE cake nearly as much as we do our coffee! So to celebrate the Alzheimer’s Society National Cupcake Day on Thursday 18th June 2020, why not give this delightful coffee cupcake recipe a go?

This will give you the best of both worlds!

Ingredients

For the cake:

• 140g golden caster sugar

• 140g butter

• 3 large eggs

• 140g self-raising flour

• 2 tbsp instant espresso mixed with 1 tbsp water

• A few chocolate-coated coffee beans to decorate (optional)

For the icing:

• 200g butter

• 200g icing sugar

• 2 tsp instant espresso mixed with 1 tbsp water

• 50g plain chocolate, melted

Method

1. Heat the oven to 170c/150c fan/gas.

2. Line 2 bun tins with fairy cake cases (18 in total).

3. Beat the sugar with the butter until light and creamy. 

4. Beat in the eggs, one by one, adding 1 tbsp flour at the same time. 

5. Beat in the rest of the flour and add your espresso.

6. Spoon the batter into the cake cases and bake for 17 mins, swapping trays after 12 mins.

7. Cool on a wire rack. 

8. To make the icing, beat the butter until pale then gradually beat in the icing sugar.

9. Beat in the espresso and melted chocolate.

10. When the cakes are cool, swirl the icing on top.

11. Enjoy - and send us a picture of your finished cupcakes!