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How to Make Espresso Powder
Co-authored by wikiHow Staff | Video Team Tested | 13 References

Updated: October 20, 2019

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Roasting the Beans
Grinding and Storing the Powder
Adding Espresso Powder to Recipes
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Espresso powder is most often used by bakers to enhance the flavor of brownies,
cookies, and chocolate cakes. You can buy it from specialty stores, but you can
also make a batch of your own espresso powder at home. All you need is espresso
beans, a baking sheet, and a coffee grinder. Use your espresso powder to amp up
baked goods, make a delicious steak rub, and even whip together a delicious hot
beverage.
Part 1
Roasting the Beans

1
Use 1 cup (200 grams) of espresso beans to make 1 cup of espresso powder. Depending
on how often you use espresso powder, you could make a bigger or smaller batch.
Fresh beans that have been newly purchased will produce the best flavor, so try to
make your espresso powder before your beans go stale.[1]

Beans generally stay fresh for about 2 weeks after they’ve been opened. If
they’re in a special container with a degassing valve, they could last for up to 6
months.

Tip: If you have espresso grounds leftover from your morning coffee, you can also
use them to make espresso powder. Simply spread the used grounds out on a baking
sheet and bake them in the oven at 200 °F (93 °C) for about 1 hour. Run the baked
grounds through a grinder to pulverize them even further, and then store them in an
airtight container.[2]
2
Preheat the oven to 200 °F (93 °C). The goal of baking the espresso beans is to
slightly roast them while also drying them out even further. This helps them be
ground to a much finer consistency.[3]

If you use a temperature lower than 200 °F (93 °C), you’ll need to increase the
total cooking time to compensate. For example, cooking at 170 °F (77 °C) would
require about 1.5 hours of baking time.

3
Spread the espresso beans over a baking sheet in a single layer. Use an unlined,
ridged baking sheet. The ridge will keep the beans from accidentally spilling over
the edge. Try to space the beans apart a little bit so that the hot air can get
between all of them.[4]

A perk to baking the espresso beans is that your house will smell fantastic for
a little while!

4
Bake the espresso beans for about 1 hour to give them a toasted flavor. Set a timer
and let the oven do its work. There’s no need to check on the beans or flip them
during the 1-hour cook time.[5]

If you skip the baking step, the beans could create a powder that is a little
too bitter for your baking needs.

5
Let the beans cool off for about 10 minutes once they’re done baking. Once the
timer goes off, use an oven mitt to remove the baking sheet from the oven. Set the
baking sheet on top of the stove and let the beans cool off until they’re no longer
hot to the touch.[6]
If you let the beans cool off for longer than 10 minutes, that is totally
fine. 10 minutes is just the minimum so that the beans aren’t still hot when you go
to grind them.

Part 2
Grinding and Storing the Powder

1
Grind the espresso beans in small 1/4 cup (50 gram) batches. Smaller batches will
make a finer powder. If you did the entire cup at once, it would be hard to really
grind things down to a fine consistency. Use a coffee grinder set to the finest
grind possible and pulse each batch for 15 to 20 seconds.[7]

Tip: If you don’t have a coffee or spice grinder, you could also use a mortar and
pestle or even a food processor.
2
Transfer the espresso powder to an airtight container. Once the espresso beans have
been ground into a fine, powder-like substance, use a spoon to transfer them into a
storage container. Pick a container that is resealable or that has a tight-fitting
lid.[8]

Keep in mind that a plastic container will absorb the smell and oil from the
powder, so you may want to designate a specific container for your espresso powder.

3
Store the espresso powder in a cool, dry location for up to 6 months. If you
made a big batch of espresso powder, rest assured that you have ample time to use
it all up. Put it in a cupboard or pantry where it won’t come into contact with any
moisture.[9]
After 6 months, the powder will still be technically good, it just won’t be
as fresh or the best quality anymore.
Part 3
Adding Espresso Powder to Recipes

1
Add espresso powder to your baking recipes for a rich, deep flavor. For most
cookies, brownies, and chocolate cakes, add just a teaspoon (2 grams) of espresso
powder to really enhance the flavor of the recipe. Add an additional teaspoon (2
grams) for an actual coffee flavor.[10]
Don’t worry—a little espresso powder doesn’t have to make your sweets taste
like coffee. It really just enhances the flavors that are already in a sweet treat,
especially when chocolate is involved.

2
Create a smokey steak rub with espresso powder, paprika, and brown sugar. Use 1
teaspoon (2 grams) of smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon (2 grams) of light brown sugar, 2
teaspoons (4 grams) of espresso powder, and 2 teaspoons (4 grams) of salt. Mix them
together in a small bowl and sprinkle the rub onto both sides of a steak before you
cook it. Cook the steak however you prefer and enjoy![11]

Feel free to mix up the rub by adding different spices. Cinnamon or chili
powder would make a great addition!

3
Make mornings special with cinnamon-sugar-espresso toast. Combine 1 tablespoon
(12.5 grams) of sugar, 1 teaspoon (2 grams) of cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon (2 grams)
of espresso powder. Make your toast, butter it, and sprinkle the sugar mixture
overtop.[12]

If you don’t like butter, use a butter substitute. One or the other is
necessary, otherwise, the sugar mixture won’t have anything to stick to.

4
Enjoy a hot mocha toddy during the colder months. In a saucepan over medium
heat, mix together 1/4 cup (50 grams) of light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon (7 grams)
of cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons (12 grams) of espresso powder, 2 cups (470 mL) of
milk, and 1⁄2 cup (120 mL) of heavy cream. Heat the mixture until it is almost
boiling, and then distribute it amongst mugs. Top the drink with whipped cream
sprinkled with espresso powder.[13]
To add an extra kick to your hot toddy, pour 1⁄2 cup (120 mL) of vodka into
the pan along with the other ingredients.

Community Q&A
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Tips

If you don’t have or can’t make espresso powder, use double the amount called
for of instant coffee. You could also sub out some liquid from the recipe and use
that same amount of liquid espresso.
Espresso powder is caffeinated, so use decaf espresso beans if you want to
steer clear of the caffeine.

Things You’ll Need

Espresso beans
Baking sheet
Coffee grinder
Airtight storage container
 Oven mitt

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References

↑ https://addapinch.com/espresso-powder-recipe/
↑ http://brighteyedbaker.com/confessions101/diy-espresso-grounds/
↑ https://addapinch.com/espresso-powder-recipe/
↑ https://youtu.be/0xPmdiivoYs?t=7
↑ https://addapinch.com/espresso-powder-recipe/
↑ https://addapinch.com/espresso-powder-recipe/
↑ https://addapinch.com/espresso-powder-recipe/
↑ https://addapinch.com/espresso-powder-recipe/
↑ https://addapinch.com/espresso-powder-recipe/

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Article Info

FEATURED ARTICLE

This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who
validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Together, they cited information
from 13 references. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work
from our editorial staff to ensure that each article meets our high standards.

Categories: Featured Articles | Baking

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Co-authors: 4
Updated: October 20, 2019
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