Holiday Coffee Dunkers with Orange-Clove Custard

If you love coffee and enjoy experimenting with new dessert recipes, this holiday coffee dessert will quickly become a favorite. I recently created this recipe for Yuletide coffee dunkers with orange-clove coffee custard, and the combination of spices, coffee, and creamy custard was unforgettable. This recipe uses coffee in two delightful ways: very finely ground coffee in the dunkers themselves and strong brewed coffee in the custard sauce. It’s a perfect treat for Christmas and New Year celebrations or any seasonal recipe gathering.

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Holiday coffee dunkers served with orange-clove coffee custard dip

Ingredients and Flavor Profile

The dunkers are a spiced brown sugar cookie dough infused with cinnamon, cardamom, clove, and orange zest. The very finely ground coffee adds a subtle but rich depth to the cookies, making them a unique coffee cookie recipe. The custard is a quick stovetop custard made with whole milk, cream, and strong brewed coffee, flavored with orange peel and cloves for a warm, festive touch.

Dunkers Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 3/4 cup brown sugar

• 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp kosher salt

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp ground cardamom

• 1/4 tsp ground clove

• Zest of 1 orange

• 1 tbsp very finely ground coffee (finest grind possible)

• 8 tbsp butter, melted

• 2 eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla

  
  

Orange-Clove Coffee Custard Ingredients

• 1 cup whole milk

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 1/3 cup strong brewed coffee

• 3 egg yolks

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1 tbsp cornstarch

• 1 tsp vanilla

• Pinch salt

• 1 strip orange peel + 2 whole cloves (optional)

  
  

The spices and orange zest in the dunkers create a warm, inviting aroma that fills the kitchen during holiday baking. The custard’s creamy texture and bright citrus notes balance the rich coffee flavor in the cookies, making this an ideal orange zest coffee dessert.

Step-by-Step Cooking Process

This recipe is moderately challenging, mainly because of the two-step baking process for the dunkers and the stovetop custard preparation. It’s perfect for home cooks who enjoy a bit of a project but want a rewarding result.

Sweet Tooth

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Making the Dunkers

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

2. Whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, clove, orange zest, and finely ground coffee.

3. Stir in melted butter, eggs, and vanilla until a firm dough forms.

4. Press the dough into a flat log about 10 x 4 inches on the pan. Bake for 22–26 minutes until set.

5. Let cool for 10 minutes, then slice into 1/2-inch sticks. Place cut-side down and bake for 12 minutes, flip, and bake another 10–12 minutes until crisp.

   
   

Preparing the Orange-Clove Coffee Custard

1. Warm the milk, cream, brewed coffee, orange peel, and cloves in a saucepan until steaming. Remove the peel and cloves.

2. Whisk egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a bowl. Slowly whisk in the hot liquid.

3. Return the mixture to the pot and cook on medium-low heat, whisking constantly for 2–4 minutes until thickened.

4. Stir in vanilla and serve warm with the dunkers.

   
   

The stovetop custard requires attention to avoid curdling, but whisking constantly and cooking on medium-low heat makes it manageable. The dunkers need two rounds of baking to achieve the perfect crispness for dunking.

Taste and Texture Experience

The first bite of these coffee dunkers dipped in the orange-clove coffee custard is a delightful mix of textures and flavors. The cookies are crunchy yet tender inside, with a subtle coffee bitterness balanced by the sweetness of brown sugar and warm spices. The custard is silky and creamy, with a bright citrus aroma and a hint of clove that complements the coffee perfectly.

Red Octopus

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This dessert is a great example of cooking with coffee beyond just a drink. The use of finely ground coffee in the cookie dough adds a unique depth without overpowering the other flavors. The custard’s strong brewed coffee base ties the whole dish together, making it a standout holiday coffee recipe.

Pairing Ideas for Coffee Lovers

For those who enjoy pairing coffee with desserts, this recipe works wonderfully with specific coffee blends. I recommend trying it with Sweet Tooth or Red Octopus coffee pairings. Both have flavor profiles that enhance the spices and coffee notes in the dunkers and custard.

If you’re interested in exploring more dessert recipes with coffee, this one fits perfectly into your holiday baking lineup. It’s a festive treat that coffee lovers and baking enthusiasts will appreciate.

Why This Recipe Is Worth Trying

• It combines two coffee preparations in one dessert, showcasing the versatility of coffee in cooking.

• The spices and orange zest create a festive flavor perfect for Christmas and New Year desserts.

• The recipe yields 20–24 dunkers, ideal for sharing at holiday gatherings.

• It’s a moderately challenging recipe that offers a satisfying cooking experience without being overwhelming.

  
  

If you enjoy dunking cookies into creamy dips, this recipe will quickly become a favorite. The balance of flavors and textures makes it a memorable holiday coffee dessert that stands out from typical cookies or custards.

Download the recipe card here:

Yuletide Coffee Dunkers Recipe Card (Image).docx

Download DOCX • 965KB