The semester is finally over and now it's time to relax. We made it out alive, hopefully without losing too of our much sanity. Last semester during finals week, I went a little overboard with the energy drinks and it got to the point where I felt my chest clench every time I took a sip of Red Bull. So this semester, I stuck with good ol' coffee. Coffee is full of antioxidants and other nutrients, and some studies have shown it to help prevent diseases. Plus, sometimes you need that boost in the morning. A simple cup of joe is sometimes all you need, but to mix it up a bit, here are 12 recipes and other uses for coffee.
1. Homemade Mocha Frappuccino
Sadly, Starbuck's Frappuccino Happy Hour is over, and spending $5 on a cup of sugary coffee every day isn't too feasible. I wanted to make something simple I could whip up before studying, so all you need is a frozen cup of almond milk, a cup of coffee, a tablespoon of cocoa powder, and a packet of stevia. Use chocolate syrup for a sweeter version. Blend, and viola. Every hour is Frappuccino happy hour!
2. Coffee 'Nice' Cream
I just call it ice cream, but "nice cream" is the official word for healthier banana-based ice cream. Usually, all it takes is a frozen banana, about 2/3 cup of almond or coconut milk, a dash of vanilla and salt, and a tablespoon of cocoa powder for chocolate ice cream. It's delicious, and I had the wonderful idea of replacing the milk with strong coffee. Add some more instant coffee grounds if you like it stronger. You're welcome.
3. Espresso Brownies
Chocolate and coffee are two of the best things in the world, and combined together in brownie form, it can only be magical. There's countless recipes online, but these two look the simplest, and one of them is interestingly raw.
4. Coffee Cookies
If you're more of a cookie person, these are for you. Whether you like chocolate chip, chewey oatmeal, fluffy pillow cookies, or something sugar free, there's a caffeinated recipe for it. They're the perfect dessert for a late night, and just hearing "espresso oatmeal cookies" is making my mouth water. Mmmm...
5. Coffee Sorbet
Everyone loves dessert, but sometimes you want something a little fancier than blended "nice cream." Make yourself a delectable treat with this surprisingly simple coffee sorbet (or more specifically, Granita) recipe. Unlike some mocha recipes that add a dash of coffee, this one isn't stingy on the coffee flavor.
6. Oatmeal
Overnight oats are all the rage, so why not knock out your breakfast and morning coffee fix all in one dish? Just don't repeat my mistakes, and make sure to use instant coffee so you're not picking coffee grounds out of your teeth later.
7. Black Bean Chili
I wouldn't normally think to add coffee to chili, but I'm intrigued. It gives it a smokey flavor, and it can turn a fairly blase dish into a hearty treat. Some recipes use the coffee to add smokiness to the traditional flavors, while others transform the dish into a sweeter take.
8. Fudgsicles
Bring ice coffee to a whole new level. Everyone loves a good ice pop during the summer, but sometimes you want something that tastes a little less artificial than flavored sugar. This recipe only takes six ingredients, most of which you probably already have lying around. But if you really want to impress your friends, try these hazelnut coffee pops.
9. Face Scrub
Coffee has antioxidants in it, so it'll remove the toxins from your skin. Add some sugar, and you have an effective and wonderfully aromatic exfoliater. And since you made it yourself, you'll know exactly what you're putting on your face. It's crafty, and it's a great way to avoid the chemicals hidden in some beauty products.
10. Gardening
When you drink at least six cups of coffee a day, throwing away all those grounds seems like a waste. Luckily, you can use coffee grounds to fertilize your garden or make a compost. It reduces your waste, smells better than manure, and it's a natural way to deter curious creatures from your garden.
11. Make an Air Freshener
Nothing smells better than brewing a fresh pot of coffee (or sticking your nose in the grounds), but you can't carry that wonderful smell around with you everywhere you go. Or can you? This coffee air freshener is ridiculously simple, and all you need is coffee grounds, a stocking, and string.
12. Paint!
Have leftover coffee grounds sitting around? Feeling crafty? Take a break and get creative by painting with coffee! It's just like watercolors, and use these tutorials to get the hang of it. The aroma makes it even more relaxing than regular painting, and it's bound to give adult coloring a run for its money!
