Italian Coffee Cream (Caffe Crema)

If you’ve never heard of or tried an Italian Coffee Cream (also known as Caffe Crema or Crema di Caffe), you’re in for a delightful summer treat! This smooth and creamy chilled coffee cream is made with just four ingredients, and we’ll show you how to prepare it in just a few minutes.

Caffe Crema, the Italian Coffee Cream

We absolutely love Caffè Crema! We enjoy espresso almost every morning, but this delightful little coffee treat is perfect for enjoying all summer long. If you’re traveling through Italy, you’ll find it in every local bar you visit. This popular Italian coffee cream is served chilled, making it especially refreshing during the hot summer months.

Every time my husband and I stopped by a bar, either to grab a croissant or an espresso? I would only order a caffe crema. I was obsessed! But of course, in Italy, they have commercial machines that continuously rotate the cream, and it’s kept at a super-cold temperature. It’s like eating a coffee ice cream… but better!

What is Caffe Crema or Italian Coffee Cream?

Caffè crema is essentially an espresso served with a chilled, creamy texture made with cream. It offers a smooth, creamy consistency and a rich coffee flavor in every spoonful, making it soothingly delicious. This delightful treat is available in every café across Italy, and many people find it more enjoyable than a hot espresso, especially during the sweltering heat. (It’s the best!)

The best part? There’s no cooking or baking required!

Ingredients You Will Need:

For our Italian Coffee Cream recipe, you will need the following four ingredients: instant espresso, powdered sugar, condensed milk, and whipping heavy cream.

Ok, Let’s Make It!

If this is your first time making Italian coffee cream, don’t worry. We’ve made it three times to recreate its authentic taste from Italy. And, it is pretty darn good!

How To Make Italian Coffee Cream (Caffe Crema)?

Ok, let’s make this easy Italian coffee cream. Keep in mind, our full recipe card is located at the bottom. But first, let’s go through these easy-to-follow steps so you’ll understand what’s involved before you start.

1. FIRST STEP: Dissolve two packets of Instant Espresso with 3 tablespoons of heavy cream in a small bowl, and stir it until it is completely infused.

2. SECOND STEP: In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream until fluffy, at least 5 minutes or more. The cream should be thick, with soft peaks.

3. Next, add some (about 2 tablespoons) powdered sugar, and two tablespoons of condensed milk, and whip until well combined. Then, slowly pour the coffee mixture into the cream and continue to whip the cream until fluffy.

4. FINAL STEP: Chill for about 30 minutes or more. Then spoon the coffee cream into cordial glasses and serve. Yields: 6 servings.

How To Store It?

To keep it fresh, store the caffe crema in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for two to three days when covered. Also, the first time we made it, we attempted to freeze it, but the result was not successful; the cream separated, and the texture was ruined. Therefore, do not freeze the caffe crema.

Ideas and Ways to Serve It

• Serve this coffee cream with a coffee bean on top, as we did.
• You could add some chocolate curls or some unsweetened cocoa scattered on top.
• Top each glass with some crushed amaretto cookies.

Don’t forget! If you make Italian Coffee Cream (Caffe Crema) let us know and leave a comment! Have fun and snap a photo, and share!  Hashtag it on Instagram @2sistersrecipes, and Pinterest.  We’d love to see what you make!

Additional Coffee Treats

• Coffee Banana Milkshakes – Tiramisu!
• Nutella Caffe Latte
• Best Tiramisu (No Bake!)
• Caffe Latte Ice Cream – Lightened!

Have a Delicious Day! 🙂

Thanks for stopping by…

xo anna and liz