Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
Genius Ways to Use Instant Coffee (Beyond Your Morning Mug)
Instant coffee isn’t just for quick caffeine fixes—it's a secret weapon for cooking, desserts, beauty, crafting and more! In this guide, discover clever, budget-friendly ways to use instant coffee around your home, from flavor-boosting recipes to natural dyes and DIY beauty tricks. Perfect for anyone who loves easy life hacks that actually work.
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Genius Ways to Use Instant Coffee
Brownies and Baking
I received some Maxwell House Original Instant Coffee (my husaband’s grandma’s favorite!) to test and while it was delicious, it made me wonder what else I could do with instant coffee. I read in Ina Garten’s book, Be Ready When the Luck Happens, about how her brownie recipe (which is in the book!) has instant coffee as an ingredient.
Use instant coffee in brownies for enhanced flavor
It made me wonder about why, and I found that it enhances and intensifies the chocolate flavor. You can also use it in coffee cakes, icing recipes and more! Get more dessert inspired instant coffee ideas via AllRecipes.com.
Chili and red sauces love instant coffee!
Chili and Red Sauces
I use cocoa powder in my chili, like Martha Stewart’s recipe, but you can also use some instant coffee to boost the flavor too. It counteracts the sweetness of the tomatoes, making it a nice way to intensify all the flavors that are getting to know each other in the pot.
You can make rub for steak with instant coffee
Steak Rub
In my research, I learned you can rub instant coffee on steak as a rub that will help add a savory flavor, especially when mixed with other seasonings. You can also use fresh coarse coffee grounds like in Gordon Ramsay’s recipe here.
My husband’s grandma’s favorite instant coffee
Natural Dyes
I did some tea dying in my fiber arts college classes, and also learned you can use coffee to dye fabrics too. Simply make a concentrated version of a cup of instant coffee (more or less depending on how much fabric you need dyed) and let it soak overnight. You’ll have a beautiful coffee stained light brown shade of fabric, perfect for crafting and more!
You can use instant coffee in DIY scrubs
Beauty
I’ve bought coffee soaps that smelled delicious as well as coffee eye creams. If you like making coffee scented body scrubs, soaps, candles and more, try using instant coffee as an awakening scent booster.
Add some instant coffee to a DIY body scrub instead of a scented oil. Use my recipe for Lemon Sugar scrub as a base and add the instant coffee instead of the lemon oil! Or make the lemon sugar scrub using my 1-minute tutorial below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
Take Action
I encourage you to try some recipes calling for instant coffee with your own creative twists and share your creations on your social accounts! If you tag me using @carolynsbloomingcreations or @carolynjbraden, I’ll see it! Or tell me about it in the comments below.
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Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.