The holiday season is a time for gathering with loved ones, creating cherished memories, and indulging in delicious seasonal treats. With that in mind, we’ve put together a few of our favorite coffee-based holiday recipes from over the years that showcase the rich, complex flavors of our ethically sourced coffee. Whether you’re looking for warming seasonal beverages, delectable desserts, or festive cookies to share with friends and family, these recipes bring the spirit of the season to life with every sip and bite.
Holiday Coffee Drinks
Thanksgiving Pumpkin Latte
This post-feast pumpkin latte is the perfect way to wind down after your Thanksgiving meal. Made with real pumpkin puree, it offers an authentic, beyond-basic flavor that captures the essence of fall.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup freshly brewed Cafe Campesino coffee
- Whipped cream (optional)
Instructions:
- In a small saucepan, stir pumpkin puree into milk
- Add vanilla syrup and cinnamon
- Heat gently until steaming, stirring occasionally
- Transfer mixture to a blender and blend on high for 20 seconds until foaming
- Pour flavored milk into a tall glass
- Pour coffee over the milk mixture
- Top with whipped cream if desired
Pro Tip: Use a frother to create extra-foamy milk for a café-style presentation.
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Our fair trade version of the classic PSL is made with real pumpkin for a rich, authentic flavor that goes beyond the basic. This totally delectable drink says “the holidays are right around the corner” with every sip.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 1-2 tablespoons sugar (to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup freshly brewed Cafe Campesino espresso or strong coffee
- Whipped cream for topping
- Ground cinnamon for garnish
Instructions:
- Combine milk, pumpkin puree, sugar, and pumpkin pie spice in a saucepan
- Heat over medium heat, whisking constantly, until steaming
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract
- Froth the milk mixture using a blender or frother
- Pour espresso into a large mug
- Add the pumpkin milk mixture
- Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon
Pro Tip:
Ho-Ho Holiday Coffee
This festive concoction brings together the irresistible combination of rich dark chocolate and refreshing peppermint with Café Campesino coffee – a true gift for your taste buds this Christmas season! For a coffee pairing that takes this recipe to the next level, try our limited-time offering Good Cheer Holiday Blend.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate pieces
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup freshly brewed hot Cafe Campesino coffee
- 1 candy cane
- Whipped cream
- Optional: 1/2 oz peppermint schnapps (for an adult cocktail)
Instructions:
- Combine dark chocolate pieces and milk in a saucepan
- Heat over low heat, stirring often, until chocolate has completely melted
- Pour half a cup of hot coffee into your favorite mug
- Top off with the chocolate and milk mixture
- Stir with a candy cane
- Top generously with whipped cream
- For a holiday cocktail, substitute half an ounce of peppermint schnapps for the candy cane stirrer
Serving Suggestion: Garnish with crushed candy cane pieces and chocolate shavings for extra holiday flair.
Espresso-Infused Eggnog
Take your holiday eggnog to the next level with the bold, rich flavor of espresso. This indulgent beverage combines the creamy comfort of traditional eggnog with the sophisticated depth of Cafe Campesino’s fair trade espresso blends.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups prepared eggnog (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 cup freshly brewed Cafe Campesino espresso, cooled
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or brown sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)
- Whipped cream for topping
- Cinnamon sticks for garnish
- Optional: 2 oz bourbon or rum for adult version
Instructions:
- Brew espresso and allow it to cool to room temperature
- In a large pitcher, combine eggnog, cooled espresso, nutmeg, and cinnamon
- Taste and add maple syrup or brown sugar if desired
- Whisk or shake well to fully incorporate the espresso
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld
- For an adult version, add bourbon or rum to taste
- Serve chilled in glasses topped with whipped cream
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a light dusting of nutmeg
Make-Ahead Tip: This eggnog actually improves when made a day in advance, allowing the coffee and spice flavors to fully infuse.
Coffee-Infused Deserts for the Holidays
Coffee Pecan Pie
This isn’t your grandmother’s pecan pie – the addition of coffee adds depth and complexity that perfectly complements the sweet, nutty filling. It’s a sophisticated twist on a holiday classic.
Ingredients:
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 3/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup strong brewed Cafe Campesino coffee
- 1/4 cup melted butter or margarine
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups pecan halves
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell
- Whipped cream for serving (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F
- In a large bowl, combine beaten eggs, molasses, corn syrup, coffee, melted butter, salt, and vanilla
- Mix thoroughly until well blended
- In a separate bowl, combine pecans and flour, tossing to coat
- Add pecan mixture to liquid ingredients and stir to combine
- Pour filling into unbaked pie shell
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the filling is firm and set
- Cool completely before cutting
- Garnish with whipped cream if desired
Yield: 6-8 servings
Baker’s Note: The pie is done when the center is slightly jiggly but mostly set. It will firm up as it cools.
Easy Espresso Pumpkin Pie
Discover what espresso adds to traditional pumpkin pie with this energized seasonal recipe. The coffee enhances the warm spices and creates a more complex, adult-friendly dessert.
Ingredients:
- 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
- 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 shots Cafe Campesino espresso (about 2 oz), cooled
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell
- Coffee ice cream for serving (optional but recommended!)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425°F
- In a large bowl, mix pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, cooled espresso, and all spices
- Mix these ingredients well using a spoon until completely combined
- Pour mixture into unbaked pie shell
- Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes
- Reduce temperature to 350°F and continue baking for 40-50 minutes, or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean
- Cool on a wire rack
- For an extra special treat, serve with a scoop of coffee ice cream instead of traditional whipped cream
Defying Convention: The coffee ice cream pairing creates an incredible flavor combination that takes this pie to the next level!
Capriland’s Favorite Christmas Cookies
This treasured recipe from Caprilands Herb Farm in Connecticut has been a holiday staple for years. These deliciously spicy cookies have an extra holiday zing that could only come from coffee!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups brown sugar, packed
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 cup strong brewed Cafe Campesino coffee
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Cream together butter, brown sugar, eggs, and molasses until light and fluffy
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt
- Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture and blend well
- In a small bowl, dissolve baking soda in coffee and water
- Add coffee mixture to the dough and mix until well combined
- Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart
- Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes, or until edges are set
- Cool on wire racks
Yield: Approximately 4 dozen cookies
Cookie Jar Secret: These cookies actually improve in flavor after a day or two as the spices and coffee meld together.
Tips for Holiday Coffee Brewing
To make the most of these recipes, here are some tips for brewing the perfect Cafe Campesino coffee:
For Drip Coffee:
- Use 2 tablespoons of ground coffee per 6 oz of water
- Brew with water between 195-205°F for optimal extraction
For Espresso:
- Use freshly ground beans for the best flavor
- Aim for 1-2 oz of espresso per shot
- A double shot works perfectly in most of these recipes
For Strong Coffee in Baking:
- Brew coffee at a stronger ratio (3 tablespoons per 6 oz water)
- Allow coffee to cool completely before adding to batters and doughs
Why Fair Trade Coffee Matters During the Holidays
When you choose Cafe Campesino’s 100% organic, fair trade coffee for your holiday recipes, you’re not just treating your family to exceptional flavor – you’re supporting small-scale farmers and their communities worldwide. The holidays are about giving, sharing, and celebrating together, and fair trade coffee embodies these values by ensuring farmers receive fair compensation and work in sustainable conditions.
Every cup in these recipes represents our commitment to ethical sourcing and quality that’s been at the heart of Cafe Campesino for over 27 years.
Make This Holiday Season Special
These coffee-infused recipes bring warmth, flavor, and a touch of fair trade goodness to your holiday celebrations. Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner, preparing Christmas cookies for gift-giving, or simply enjoying a quiet winter evening with a special beverage, Cafe Campesino coffee makes every moment more memorable.
We’d love to see your creations! Share your holiday coffee recipes and photos with us on social media using #CafeCampesinoHolidays.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Cafe Campesino!
Shop our full selection of organic, fair trade coffee here and make this holiday season truly special.
