Caffeine Awareness Month may sound trivial; most of us are aware that caffeine exists. That being said, how much do you think you know about the worlds most commonly consumed psychoactive drug?
That’s right! Though caffeine is a natural stimulant found in over sixty plants, and over 90 percent of people consume caffeine, it’s still considered a legal and unregulated psychoactive substance. Don’t let that scare you though, caffeine has so many health benefits, in moderation, outweighing the bad with the good.
What’s The Draw?
When caffeine is consumed, it enters the bloodstream and travels to the brain where it causes transmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine to increase, which makes a person feel happier! Along with a mood increase, caffeine also helps boost memory, vigilance, energy levels, and cognitive function.
Caffeine is also a fat burner! It can be found in almost every commercial fat burning supplement for a couple of reasons. It increases adrenaline levels in the blood, which prepares your body for physical exertion and caffeine also breaks down the fat cells in body fat, making them available as fuel for your body to burn.
One of the most common forms of caffeine is coffee and a single cup of coffee contains Vitamin B2, B5, Manganese, Potassium, and Niacin. Coffee is also the biggest source of antioxidants in the Western Diet—even more so than fruits and vegetables…combined.
So now that you’re aware and dreaming of caffeine health benefits, here are 16 of our favorite caffeinated recipes.
Cold Brew Coffee
Cold Brew Coffee//Photo by The Food Channel
We’re loyal fans of cold brew coffee because of the rich and bitter taste of coffee with a cool temperature. Prepare it and let it sit to brew overnight, and you’re looking at a delicious and cooling treat.
Mocha Java Shortbread
Mocha Java Shortbread//Photo by Lance Mellenbruch
A perfect shortbread with a hint of coffee and lots of chocolate flavor without a lot of work. Easy and delicious!
Espresso Cocoa Crusted Cheeseburger Sliders
Espresso Cocoa Crusted Cheeseburger//Photo by Lance Mellenbruch
A burger like you’ve never had before, the use of cocoa powder and espresso add a depth and richness to the flavor of the burger that is out of this world.
Mother’s™ Imperial Grind Cupcakes with Cold-Brew Buttercream
Mother’s Imperial Grind Cupcakes with Cold-Brew Buttercream//Photo by Lance Mellenbruch
These decadent cupcakes are a winning combination of rich coffee-infused craft beer, chocolate cake, and cold-brew coffee buttercream. You need them in your life.
Peppermint Mocha Frappe Drop Cookies
Peppermint Mocha Frappe Drop Cookies//Photo by Lance Mellenbruch
Expect a crunch from these minty-cookies, perfect with a cup of coffee or hot tea. They’ll remind you of a holiday drink offered by a coffee shop–but in cookie form!
Classic Coffee and Walnut Cake
Classic Coffee and Walnut Cake//Photo: Rattan Direct, Ltd.
This cake has a vibrant kick of coffee in the icing, with a base cake that has deliciously deep caramel notes, with tones of a strong, well-rounded coffee flavor to balance out the sweetness.
Chocolate Caffeine Cake with Chocolate Brandy Ganache
Chocolate Caffeine Cake with Chocolate Brandy Ganache//Frankie Harvey
In need of a chocolate fix? This dessert has it all – Chocolate Brandy Ganache. It’s a luscious, decadent dessert that will satisfy those cravings and give you a little caffeine kick.
Coffee Ice Cream Frappe
Coffee Ice Cream Frappe//Photo by Lance Mellenbruch
This frosty-cold and refreshing frappe, served bistro style in a glass, combines the irresistible flavors of coffee ice cream, coffee liqueur and chocolate covered coffee beans for the ultimate coffee lover’s ice cream dessert.
Brown Butter Pecan Pie with Espresso Dates
Brown Butter Pecan Pie with Espresso Dates from Desserts by Food & Wine
This filling is swirled with toasty brown butter and studded with rich and chewy dates cooked in espresso, which helps cut the sweetness you expect in most pecan pies.
Spiced Winter Coffee
Spiced Winter Coffee//Photo by Lance Mellenbruch
This delicious coffee is spicy, sweet and so well-rounded! Made with cardamom, star anise, brown sugar, cinnamon and cocoa powder, this dark roast coffee is perfect on a cold night.
Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies
Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies//Photo by Lance Mellenbruch
Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies give you an all-in-one experience of coffee and chocolate, but that doesn’t mean a cup of coffee won’t go well to complement them!
Maple Apple Coffee Cake
Maple Apple Coffee Cake by Judith Rontal
Enjoy this moist coffee cake with a hint of cinnamon, apple, and a whole lot of maple!
Grilled Pound Cake with Coffee Ganache
Grilled Pound Cake with Coffee Ganache//The Culinary Institute of America
This dense cake perfectly pairs with this decadent Coffee Ganache, made with espresso, cream, and fresh dark chocolate.
Cold Brew Drop Cookies
Cold Brew Drop Cookies//Photo by Lance Mellenbruch
If you have caught onto the cold brew coffee craze, you’ll enjoy these inviting cookies made with cold brew concentrate. Don’t forget the butterscotch!
Chocolate Mint Dipped Biscotti and Minty Mocha Latte
Chocolate Mint Dipped Biscotti and Minty Mocha Latte//Photo by Lance Mellenbruch
Relax with a touch of sophistication as you enjoy a smooth latte and biscotti. It may surprise you how much even a little will revive your spirit.
Blueberry Coffeecake
Blueberry Coffeecake//National Honey Board
Start with thin layers of cornmeal and blueberries, sprinkled with flour, filled with delicious batter, and for dramatic flair, invert the baked coffeecake for a crown of beautiful blueberries.
For more recipes visit foodchannel.com!
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