Easy Dalgona Coffee Recipe: Master the Viral Whipped Coffee Trend at Home
Dalgona coffee took the world by storm, and for good reason! This delightful beverage features a remarkably frothy, silky, whipped coffee cream that sits majestically atop a bed of iced or hot milk. What makes it even more appealing is its simplicity: you only need four core ingredients – instant coffee, granulated sugar, and water for the exquisite foam, and your choice of milk to complete the drink.
Why This Simple Dalgona Coffee Recipe Works So Well
The Dalgona coffee phenomenon truly exploded in 2020, dominating TikTok and countless other social media feeds globally. Originating as a viral sensation in South Korea, this whipped coffee trend quickly made its way across continents, gaining immense popularity in places like the United States. Its widespread appeal stems from several key factors, all of which are perfectly captured in this easy-to-follow recipe.
Firstly, the recipe’s incredible simplicity is a huge draw. With just three ingredients for the coffee foam and one for the base, anyone can whip up this impressive drink at home without needing specialized equipment or barista skills. Secondly, its versatility allows for enjoyment year-round; whether you crave a refreshing iced treat on a hot summer day or a comforting warm drink during colder months, Dalgona coffee adapts effortlessly. This recipe, with its dense, velvety coffee cream foam, transforms a simple cup of milk into a luxurious, café-quality experience. The luscious texture and rich flavor of the topping alone are enough to convince you to give this viral sensation a try. It’s more than just a drink; it’s a delightful, visually stunning, and surprisingly easy indulgence.
Essential Ingredients for Your Homemade Dalgona Coffee
Crafting this viral whipped coffee requires surprisingly few ingredients, often found in most pantry staples. The magic happens when equal parts of instant coffee, granulated sugar, and water are vigorously combined to create a light and airy foam. You’ll then layer this exquisite foam over your preferred milk, served hot or cold. For precise measurements and step-by-step instructions, be sure to check the printable recipe card at the very end of this article.
Ingredient Breakdown and Smart Substitutions
Understanding the role of each ingredient is key to achieving the perfect Dalgona coffee. While the recipe is simple, certain aspects are crucial for the desired frothy consistency.
COFFEE: The Instant Magic
The most critical ingredient for Dalgona coffee is instant coffee, and there’s a scientific reason behind this. Unlike regular coffee grounds or beans, instant coffee has undergone a specialized drying process (either spray-drying or freeze-drying) that makes its particles highly soluble and able to incorporate air effectively when whisked. This allows it to form the stable, dense foam that defines Dalgona coffee. Using regular ground coffee will not yield the same frothy result, as it lacks the necessary solubility and protein structure for foam formation. For those who prefer a stronger coffee flavor, instant espresso powder is an excellent substitution, providing a more intense coffee kick without compromising the foam’s texture.
SUGAR: The Stabilizer and Sweetener
Granulated white sugar plays a dual role in this recipe: it sweetens the coffee foam and, more importantly, acts as a stabilizing agent. The sugar molecules interact with the coffee and water, creating a more robust structure that traps air, resulting in a shiny, smooth, and mousse-like consistency. We highly recommend using granulated white sugar as it has consistently delivered the best and most stable foam in our tests.
While other sugars like brown sugar or coconut sugar can be used, they contain more moisture and can slightly alter the chemical reactions during whipping. This might result in a less stable or less dense foam, although the taste will still be pleasant. Liquid sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, or sugar-free alternatives like erythritol or stevia are generally not recommended for the foam itself. They often prevent the mixture from whipping into the desired stiff peaks due to their different chemical compositions and densities. If you wish to reduce sugar, you can try with slightly less, but do not omit it entirely from the foam, as it is essential for stability. You can always adjust the sweetness by adding more sugar or a different sweetener directly to your milk base.
WATER: The Essential Liquid
Cold water is generally preferred when whipping the Dalgona foam, as colder liquids can sometimes help in achieving a more stable foam by slowing down the denaturation of proteins and promoting better air incorporation. However, warm water can also be used, especially if you find your instant coffee dissolves better in it, but ensure it’s not too hot, as extreme heat can sometimes hinder the whipping process slightly. The key is to use the specified amount to ensure the correct consistency.
MILK: The Perfect Canvas
The Dalgona coffee foam is designed to be poured over milk, offering a customizable base. Whole milk provides a rich, creamy texture that beautifully complements the strong coffee foam. However, feel free to use any type of milk you prefer: skim milk for a lighter option, or non-dairy alternatives like almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, or even coconut milk for a vegan-friendly version. Each milk type will impart a slightly different flavor profile and texture to the overall drink, allowing you to personalize it to your taste.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Own Dalgona Coffee
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Whip the Coffee Cream: In a medium-sized bowl, combine your measured amounts of granulated sugar, instant coffee, and cold water. Now comes the magical part: whisk this mixture vigorously. Initially, it will look like a dark, watery coffee. As you continue to whisk, it will gradually lighten in color, thicken, and become shiny and smooth, eventually forming a luxurious, mousse-like coffee cream. This process requires patience and consistent effort. If you’re whisking by hand, expect it to take a considerable amount of time – typically around 8 to 10 minutes – to reach the desired mousse-like structure with stiff peaks. Don’t give up! The transformation is worth the effort. To save your arm from fatigue, you can opt for an electric hand mixer or a powerful hand frother, which will significantly speed up the process to just 2-4 minutes.
- Assemble Your Drink: Once your coffee cream is perfectly whipped and holds its shape, it’s time to assemble your Dalgona coffee. Fill a glass with your choice of milk – either cold milk over ice for an iced Dalgona, or warm milk for a hot version. Gently scoop generous dollops of the rich coffee cream over the top of the milk. The contrast in color and texture is part of the drink’s charm. You can gently swirl it in for a marble effect or let it slowly melt into the milk as you sip.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Dalgona Coffee Success
Making this whipped coffee hot is incredibly simple! Instead of using cold milk over ice, just warm your preferred milk (dairy or non-dairy) in a saucepan or microwave until it reaches your desired temperature. Then, pour the whipped coffee cream over the top of the warm milk. It’s that easy to transform it into a comforting hot beverage!
While sugar isn’t absolutely mandatory for the foam to form, we highly recommend using it. Granulated sugar plays a vital role in stabilizing the coffee mixture, creating that characteristic dense, creamy, and stiff-peaked topping. If you choose to significantly reduce or completely omit the sugar, be aware that the topping may not achieve the same fluffy, thick, or stable consistency, and might deflate more quickly. For the best results, stick to the recommended amount, or experiment by slightly reducing it while being mindful of the potential texture changes. You can always adjust the sweetness of the overall drink by adding sugar or sweetener directly to your milk base.
Unfortunately, no. Regular ground coffee will not work for Dalgona coffee. The unique drying process of instant coffee creates soluble solids and proteins that are essential for trapping air and forming a stable, stiff foam. Ground coffee, even finely ground espresso, will not whip up in the same way; it will simply create a murky liquid.
The freshly whipped Dalgona foam is best enjoyed immediately for optimal texture and fluffiness. However, you can store any leftover foam in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. When ready to use, give it a quick whisk by hand or with a frother to revive its frothy consistency before spooning it over milk.
While an electric hand mixer is the easiest and quickest method, you can certainly whip the foam by hand using a good old-fashioned whisk. It requires significant arm strength and patience, typically taking 8-10 minutes. Alternatively, a powerful battery-operated milk frother can also work, but ensure it’s robust enough for the task.
Elevate Your Dalgona Coffee: Creative Serving Suggestions
Dalgona coffee is a treat on its own, whether served hot or cold. However, you can enhance the experience with a few simple additions. Enjoy it alongside sweet biscuits or crunchy cookies, perfect for dipping into the creamy foam. For an even more decadent and adult-friendly beverage, consider adding 1-2 tablespoons of Kahlua or a similar coffee liqueur to your milk base before topping it with the foam. You can also sprinkle a dash of ground cinnamon, rich cocoa powder, or fragrant pumpkin spice over the whipped cream for an extra layer of flavor and visual appeal. For a fun twist, drizzle some chocolate syrup or caramel sauce into the glass before adding the milk and foam.
Explore More Delicious Coffee Recipes
If you loved this Dalgona coffee, you’re in for a treat! Here are more fantastic coffee-inspired recipes to satisfy your cravings:
- Irish Coffee
- Baileys Coffee Float
- Kahlua Frappuccino
- Salted Caramel Coffee Cocktail
- Homemade Mocha Frappuccinos
- Loaded Coffee Breakfast Smoothie
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Dalgona Coffee
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 6 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 6 Tbsp instant coffee
- 6 Tbsp cold water
- ice
- milk
Things You’ll Need
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Whisk
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Mixing bowl
Before You Begin
- Use instant (or decaf) coffee, not regular coffee grounds/beans. The drying process of instant coffee has much to do with the outcome of the frothy consistency. You can also use instant espresso if you like your coffee stronger.
- The nutrition facts listed does NOT include the milk. Refer to the serving size on your carton or jug when pouring.
- This recipe should yield 2-3 coffees.
- I recommend granulated white sugar, as that’s what we have tried and had success with. The white sugar stabilizes the mixture and creates a nice dense foam. Other sugars like brown sugar contain more moisture but can still be used – just know the frothy topping will not be as stable.
- Try adding 1-2 tablespoons of Kahlua to your milk or top with a dash of cinnamon, cocoa powder, or pumpkin spice.
Instructions
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In a medium bowl, combine sugar, instant coffee and water. Whisk vigorously until you form a shiny and smooth mixture (coffee cream), with a mousse-like structure. It will take a considerably long time (around 8 to 10 minutes) to reach a mousse-like structure, be patient. If whisking tires you, use a hand mixer.
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Fill a glass with ice and milk and top off with a dollop of the coffee cream.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.