Carlota de Cafe
Indulging in a slice of Carlota de Cafe is like taking a delightful journey to a cozy café in a vibrant Latin American city. This dessert combines the creamy richness of cream cheese and heavy whipping cream with the bold flavor of coffee, all wrapped up with the crunch of Maria cookies. It’s a no-bake treat that is perfect for gatherings, celebrations, or simply as a sweet escape after a long day. If you’re looking to impress your guests or treat yourself, this dessert is an absolute must-try!
Reasons to Love Carlota de Cafe
There are countless reasons to fall for Carlota de Cafe. Here are just a few:
- No-Bake Delight: Perfect for hot days when you want a dessert without turning on the oven.
- Flavorful Layers: The combination of coffee, cream cheese, and whipped cream creates a delightful harmony of flavors.
- Easy to Assemble: With straightforward steps, even novice bakers can master this recipe.
- Make-Ahead Option: It can be prepared in advance, making it a great choice for parties or special occasions.
- Customizable: You can play with flavors, adding chocolate or different spices to personalize your Carlota.
What Goes Into Carlota de Cafe
Creating a delicious Carlota de Cafe involves a few key ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 8 oz cream cheese: Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing.
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz): This adds sweetness and creaminess.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: A must for enhancing the flavor.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: A warm spice that complements the coffee beautifully.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee: Make sure it’s completely cooled for the best results.
- 3 cups heavy whipping cream: For that luscious, fluffy texture.
- 2-3 packages Maria cookies: These will serve as the base and structure of your dessert.
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder: For a beautiful garnish.
- 1 teaspoon instant coffee: To amplify the coffee flavor in the garnish.
What You’ll Need (Gear)
Before you dive into this delicious adventure, gather your gear:
- Mixing bowls: Ideally, you’ll want both a large bowl for the cream and a medium bowl for the cream cheese mixture.
- Hand mixer or stand mixer: Essential for whipping the cream and mixing the batter smoothly.
- 9×13 inch baking dish: Perfect for layering your Carlota.
- Spatula: For gentle folding and spreading.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Accurate measurements are key to success.
From Start to Finish: Carlota de Cafe
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of making this delightful dessert!
Step 1: Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, combine the room temperature cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt. Use a hand mixer to blend them until smooth and creamy, ensuring there are no lumps.
Step 2: Brew the Coffee
Brew a cup of strong coffee. Once prepared, let it cool completely. This step is crucial as hot coffee can ruin the texture of your dessert.
Step 3: Whip the Cream
In a separate bowl, pour the heavy whipping cream. Using your mixer, whip the cream until soft peaks form. Be careful not to over-whip, as you want a light and fluffy texture.
Step 4: Combine Mixtures
Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. Use a spatula to combine both mixtures until just incorporated. You want to maintain the airy texture of the whipped cream.
Step 5: Layer the Cookies
In your baking dish, dip each Maria cookie quickly into the cooled coffee, ensuring they absorb the flavor but don’t become soggy. Lay them in a single layer at the bottom of the dish.
Step 6: Add the Cream Mixture
Spread a generous layer of the cream mixture over the cookies. Repeat the process, layering more dipped cookies followed by more cream mixture until you reach the top of the dish, finishing with the cream layer.
Step 7: Chill
Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible. This allows the flavors to meld and the dessert to set properly.
Step 8: Garnish and Serve
Once chilled, dust the top with cocoa powder and sprinkle a little instant coffee for an extra kick. Slice and serve chilled to enjoy the creamy, dreamy layers of Carlota de Cafe.
What to Use Instead
If you’re missing any of the ingredients, here are some alternatives:
- Cream cheese: Use mascarpone cheese for a richer flavor.
- Sweetened condensed milk: You can substitute with a homemade version using milk and sugar, or try coconut cream for a dairy-free option.
- Heavy whipping cream: For a lighter option, use coconut cream or a non-dairy whipping cream.
- Maria cookies: Digestive cookies or graham crackers make a great substitute.
Common Errors (and Fixes)
Even the best of us can make mistakes in the kitchen. Here are some common errors and their fixes:
- Over-whipping the cream: If your cream becomes too stiff, gently fold in a little more heavy cream to soften it.
- Cookies becoming soggy: Dip them quickly in coffee. Just a second or two is all they need to absorb enough flavor.
- Not enough coffee flavor: Ensure your coffee is strong and adjust the amount to your liking. You can also add a bit of espresso powder to the cream mixture.
- Cracking top layer: Make sure to chill it well and avoid cutting too soon, which can cause the dessert to split.
Prep Ahead & Store
Carlota de Cafe is perfect for making ahead of time. Here’s how to handle it:
It can be prepared a day in advance, making it an excellent choice for gatherings. Store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. However, it’s best enjoyed within the first couple of days for optimal texture and flavor. If you have leftovers, keep them stored tightly covered to maintain freshness.
Ask the Chef
Can I use decaffeinated coffee in Carlota de Cafe?
Absolutely! If you’re looking to enjoy this dessert without the caffeine kick, decaf coffee works perfectly. Just make sure it’s brewed strong enough to maintain the coffee flavor.
What’s the best way to serve Carlota de Cafe?
For an elegant presentation, slice the Carlota into squares and serve on chilled plates. A sprinkle of cocoa powder or a dollop of whipped cream on top elevates the dish even more!
Can I freeze Carlota de Cafe?
While it’s best served fresh, you can freeze it for up to a month. Just ensure it’s well-covered. When ready to serve, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before slicing.
Can I add chocolate to the recipe?
Definitely! You can fold in some melted chocolate to the cream mixture or layer chocolate shavings between the layers for added richness.
The Takeaway
Carlota de Cafe is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience. With its layers of creamy goodness and the rich flavor of coffee, this no-bake treat is sure to become a favorite in your home. Whether you’re serving it at a gathering or enjoying a quiet evening, Carlota de Cafe brings a touch of indulgence to any occasion. So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and create this delightful dessert that’s bound to impress and satisfy. Happy baking!
Carlota de Cafe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the room temperature cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt. Use a hand mixer to blend them until smooth and creamy, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Brew a cup of strong coffee. Once prepared, let it cool completely.
- In a separate bowl, pour the heavy whipping cream. Using your mixer, whip the cream until soft peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. Use a spatula to combine both mixtures until just incorporated.
- In your baking dish, dip each Maria cookie quickly into the cooled coffee, and lay them in a single layer at the bottom of the dish.
- Spread a generous layer of the cream mixture over the cookies. Repeat the process until you reach the top of the dish, finishing with the cream layer.
- Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible.
- Once chilled, dust the top with cocoa powder and sprinkle a little instant coffee. Slice and serve chilled.
Notes
- This dessert can be made a day in advance for convenience.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a richer flavor, try adding melted chocolate to the cream mixture.
