This Pantry-Friendly Dalgona Coffee Recipe Will Make You Forget About Starbucks (2024)

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Starbucks recently announced that they were closing all but their drive-thru cafes in the United States, meaning some of us are hard up for a fancy coffee fix. A month ago, this may have sent us into a full panic, but these days we know that our pantries can hold a lot of magic inside. What if we told you that all you needed for a luxurious caffeine kick was a few tablespoons of instant coffee, sugar, hot water, and milk? That’s all you need to make Dalgona coffee, the trendiest new beverage that’s been all over TikTok and Instagram. But what is Dalgona coffee, and why is it so popular?

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2nd day of RMO ♥️ #quarantineandchill . My first attempt at making my own Dalgona coffee ☕️ . Ingredients: ♥️ Coffee (bukan 3 in 1) ♥️ Sugar (white or brown) ♥️ Milk ♥️ Hot Water ♥️ Ice . Coffee, sugar to water ratio 1:1:1 As for mine, Ekin buat 4 sudu each tu pun terbanyak😅 boleh buat utk 2-3gelas . As a coffee lover, I’d rate this drink 3.5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️ Nanti nak cuba letak caramel or adjust recipe ni sikit, since this is just the basic recipe 😍 plus kalau buat pakai mixer, baru dia lagi fluffy and frothy! Tapi kalau takde mixer kat rumah buat pakai tangan je macam Ekin😬 Selamat mencuba!~~~ And don’t forget to stay at home okie 😉 #dalgonacoffee #stayathomechallenge #1hari1recipe #nabilasyiqinrecipe

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Apparently, this new drink trend was started in South Korea. Dalgona is a type of coffee-flavored toffee there, and people figured out how to turn it into a frothy, creamy beverage. People have been posting videos of them making Dalgona coffee on social media, and not only are the videos inspiring us to try the recipe ourselves, but they’re also strangely soothing in these uncertain times.

Making Dalgona coffee is easy. You whip equal parts of instant coffee, sugar, and hot water together (don’t worry, you can save your wrists and elbows by using an electric mixer for this step!) until they’re thick and frothy. Then, you fill your cup with ice and the milk of your choice, topping your glass with a cloud of coffee-flavored foam. Even better? If you don’t drink coffee, or if you don’t have any instant coffee on hand, you can make the recipe using instant hot chocolate powder instead. Yum!

Want to try the Dalgona coffee recipe for yourself? Here’s everything you’ll need.

1. Folgers Classic Medium Roast Instant Coffee

This Pantry-Friendly Dalgona Coffee Recipe Will Make You Forget About Starbucks (4)

Pro-tip: you can also use this instant coffee to add an intriguing depth of flavor to your favorite chocolate-based baking recipes.

Folgers Instant Coffee

$5.99

2. Domino Premium Pure Cane Granulated Sugar

This Pantry-Friendly Dalgona Coffee Recipe Will Make You Forget About Starbucks (5)

Stock up with a two-pack of this sugar. The containers have handy easy-pour reclosable tops.

Domino Sugar

$11.99

on Amazon.com

Buy now

3. Equal Exchange Organic Dark Hot Chocolate

This Pantry-Friendly Dalgona Coffee Recipe Will Make You Forget About Starbucks (6)

If you don’t drink coffee, you can use powdered hot chocolate mix to try your hand at the Dalgona drink.

Hot Chocolate Mix

$6.99

on Amazon.com

Buy now

4. KitchenAid 5-Speed Hand Mixer

You’ll be able to whip up your Dalgona coffee in no time with this electric hand mixer.

KitchenAid Hand Mixer

$39.99$59.9933% Off

on Amazon.com

Buy now

Before you go, check out our slideshow:


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This Pantry-Friendly Dalgona Coffee Recipe Will Make You Forget About Starbucks (2024)

FAQs

This Pantry-Friendly Dalgona Coffee Recipe Will Make You Forget About Starbucks? ›

If you have instant coffee, sugar, and milk, you're fluffy coffee ready. It's super simple: mix equal parts coffee, sugar, and hot water, then whip until it turns into a luxe and silky thick creamy foam. Spoon it on to some iced milk (which is literally just milk with ice in it) then enjoy, no Starbucks run needed.

Why is everyone making dalgona coffee? ›

The spike in interest during the quarantine period has been attributed to the calming, ASMR-like effects of watching online DIY videos. Although the beverage was popularized as a homemade version of whipped coffee, it became a menu item at many coffee shops in South Korea. and even in the U.S.

Why is my dalgona coffee not frothing? ›

One common reason for Dalgona Coffee not whipping properly is using the wrong type of instant coffee. Ensure you are using instant coffee granules, not coffee grounds, as the latter won't froth correctly. Check your ratios; sometimes, adding too much or too little sugar or hot water can affect the frothing process.

Why does dalgona coffee only work with instant coffee? ›

Whipping the Coffee

It turns out that instant coffee has a preservative in it called xanthan gum that helps stabilize the coffee when whipped—giving it that airy, frothy texture. This is also the reason why this recipe only works with instant coffee powder, not finely ground espresso or regular coffee.

Is dalgona coffee good or bad for you? ›

Instant energy boost: Just like your regular coffee, dalgona coffee can improve your energy levels, making you feel less tired and smarter. Slightly less caffeine: Research has shown that too much caffeine can increase your risk of anxiety, upset stomach, restlessness, tremors, fast heartbeat, and disrupted sleep.

Why my dalgona coffee failed? ›

The most known reason that your dalgona coffee isn't working or isn't frothing, is that you don't mix it long enough. Try to increase how long you whip, and how fast you whip. If you don't have an electric hand mixer, take into consideration that it can take 10-15 minutes to get fluffy frothy whipped coffee.

Which instant coffee is best for Dalgona? ›

What are best instant coffee for Dalgona?
  • NESCAFÉ Rich Instant Coffee.
  • Korean Instant Coffee Sample Packets (Rose Bud & Maxim Mocha)
  • Folgers Classic Roast Instant Coffee.
  • Starbucks Instant Pike Place Medium Roast Coffee.
  • Highground Organic Instant Decaf Coffee.
  • Maxwell House International Hazelnut Instant Coffee.
Apr 23, 2020

Which is the creamiest coffee? ›

Cappuccino. This creamy coffee drink is usually consumed at breakfast time in Italy and is loved in the United States as well. It is usually associated with indulgence and comfort because of its thick foam layer and additional flavorings that can be added to it.

Can you store dalgona coffee in the fridge? ›

No matter which method you choose to make your dalgona coffee, it's important to note that the foam can be kept in the refrigerator . That's right — whether you make too much froth or you just want to prep for your next inevitable caffeine hankering, you can cut time by saving your foam in the refrigerator.

Can you make dalgona coffee without an electric mixer? ›

Even without a mixer, you can still make dalgona coffee--you just need to be a little patient and willing to get an arm workout. An electric milk frother is an excellent alternative if you don't have an electric mixer with you. It's basically a smaller mixer that can be specifically used when you want to serve drinks.

Why is dalgona popular? ›

Dalgona has garnered immense popularity due to its visually appealing appearance, creamy texture, and frothy foam, making it a global craze among coffee lovers seeking a sweet and satisfying beverage experience.

What is the dalgona coffee culture? ›

Dalgona Coffee has its roots in South Korea and gained immense popularity during the quarantine period, becoming a favorite among coffee lovers. Its emergence marked a significant moment in the coffee culture, sparking a coffee craze that transcended borders.

What is the science behind dalgona coffee? ›

Popular Mechanics explains the dalgona mix has a similar composition of proteins, fiber, and minerals, and a very small amount of fat (especially when using spray-dried instant coffee and its lack of oils), which allows it to foam up; further, dalgona's sugar acts as a glue that holds the foam together, keeping the mix ...

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