![Southern Living Swiss Roll Cake sliced on plates to serve](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.southernliving.com/thmb/CA7rYAWESLdtFNCapQClsGaHaCk=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/swiss-roll-molly-bolton-hero-1-544dcea7ff3b4ad5b1da98876f395137.jpg)
Molly Bolton
Although coffee is typically enjoyed as a morning beverage, it can be used to enhance recipes by adding a deep, rich flavor. Coffee is often found as a secret ingredient in chocolate baked goods. Coffee, particularly espresso, intensifies the chocolate in desserts like homemade brownies, chocolate lava cakes, and tiramisu. But wait, there's more. Coffee also adds a bold touch to our St. Louis ribs. You're missing out if you haven't tried adding espresso granules or brewed coffee to any recipe, whether meat or chocolate. Give it a try!
Smoky St. Louis Ribs
![St. Louis Ribs With Coffee Rub](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/tIvAD49_Y1VLGexAVuSHfuWqSbM=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/St_Louis_Ribs_100_4x3-2000-7967dc6321cd4e6382e28fed2815271d.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
The secret in these delicious, tender ribs is coffee granules. Use instant espresso granules to make the perfect rub for these St. Louis Ribs.
Tiramisu
![Southern Living Tiramisu two servings on plates with a small cup of coffee](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/yckMxNRlh-i1O8AYdsIpaH6E-9k=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Southern_Living_Tiramisu_SEO49-beauty-1-b906da686e2b447c9f5a69fb91b8daf9.jpg)
Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke
We made this traditional Italian dish a little more Southern by adding bourbon for a hint of that Southern twang. Brewed espresso is the real star of this dessert. Try going to a local coffee shop for the espresso to achieve the best results.
Homemade Brownies
![Southern Living Homemade Brownies on a plate to serve with a glass of milk](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/eLSgazITlYrKf9EFTR9y1L2mSxg=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Southern-Living-Homemade_Brownies_023-3c582f0fba1842dd918a3d9c26c1ab59.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This fudgy, rich, classic dessert can be made at home in your kitchen. The espresso powder in these brownies amplifies the chocolate flavor.
Dirt Pudding
![Dirt Pudding](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/HqyaJl9fD_qpIyTCRKYrIn8yCKI=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Southern_Living_Dirt_Pudding_SEO48-Beauty-01-copy-1215ebfd9cc044648deb77e69e80ad42.jpg)
Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
Build a garden out of chocolate pudding, crushed cookies, and fruit. Dirt Pudding is the perfect treat for your kids to decorate and enjoy.
Ice Cream Sandwiches
![Southern Living Ice Cream Sandwiches stacked to serve](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/R5gV5z8zxYblQTo9JCCTJ01ED1Y=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Ice-Cream-Sandwiches_Beauty-01_SEO51-f928cc24acc74e7c8574a5c61b6dfc4b.jpg)
Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke
If your favorite summer snack is an ice cream sandwich, you have to try this homemade recipe. It only requires a handful of simple ingredients to make these nostalgic treats.
Chocolate Lava Cakes
![Chocolate Lava Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/z8yqfMw3lFBr3ciMVv0r44MOLg4=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Southern-Living_SEOBatch46_Chocolate-lava-cake_Beauty_4079-13f0bee668694dc589032e280bc75c70.jpg)
Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee; Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood
It only takes 35 minutes to make these ooey gooey Chocolate Lava Cakes that melt in your mouth. This recipe yields four individual cakes so it's the perfect treat to share with family or guests.
Black Bottom Cupcakes
![Southern Living Black Bottom Cupcakes on cooling rack](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/Ex6-yRGXx5hzzMy8rQV84ZffqgQ=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Southern-Living-Black_Bottom_Cupcakes_019-cb94003d1f394fffb541bc4120f354a0.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Who needs frosting when you've got a rich cheesecake filling? Some like to serve these warm with a tall glass of ice-cold milk and some prefer them chilled, like cheesecake.
Red-Eye Gravy
![Southern Living Red Eye Gravy served with a biscuit](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/BMaNhUSCKY3dbO2XND6j-CMjfr4=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Red_Eyed_Gravy_007-7d720f7e2c24479ea16e2dab7d75f511.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Believe it or not, strong coffee mixed with ham drippings creates a delectable sauce. With two ingredients and 30 minutes, you'll have a beautiful red-eye gravy that can be served alongside a bowl full of biscuits.
Mississippi Mud Pie
![Mississippi Mud Pie](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/97hKdg_V-F0qQIgbiM28sE1g1Fw=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/southern-living-Mississippi_Mud_Pie_032-c7fc8149265b4bc0ae5e777efcd8591b.jpg)
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
Layers of chocolate and cookie goodness make this cake hard to resist. Espresso powder adds depth to the instant pudding and pie filling in this dessert.
One-Bowl Chocolate Cake
![One-Bowl Chocolate Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/2wNM9V8lO6YmqMS_6Ubfk_jICMY=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Southern-Living_Chocolate_Cake_002-d98588abca94416ba3d4c0b094d531af.jpg)
ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLIST: CALEB CLARKE; FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL
We admit this one-bowl recipe makes the ultimate chocolate cake. When you're craving a moist, tender, rich slice of cake, grab a bowl and some ingredients to whip up this masterpiece.
S'mores Chocolate Sheet Cake
![Southern Living Smores Sheet Cake sliced on a plate to serve](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/G6TeZcsQIirtetgFPHNHwsTHU1c=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/smores-sheet-cake-molly-bolton-hero-3x2-8101571d217843e5801bde4edca150b0.jpg)
Molly Bolton
Up you're s'more game and make this sheet cake that enhances that classic, nostalgic, s'mores flavor. No campfire is needed for a taste of childhood magic!
Toffee Candy
![Toffee Candy](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/IxSSG62U_RKwRFwJ8Ss2U9Jyzgs=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sl_seo_121119_5462-2000-ff4974d2246341748d5ca52958fbd316.jpg)
Instant espresso granules and half a teaspoon of cinnamon spice up this toffee candy and add a nice complexity of flavor. We promise you can easily make this buttery, crunchy toffee with only 25 minutes of active cooking time.
Chocolate Torte
![Chocolate Torte](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/N1aSrCvXWtqhn8fKWbzfyPPLY8Y=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/chocolate_torte_0-1-670ea19af4ee425693c7c56e82a23535.jpg)
This gluten-free recipe is rich, slightly fruity, floral in flavor, and has a pleasant, complex bitterness. You don't have to be gluten-free to love this torte.
Banana Bread
![Southern Living Banana Nut Bread on a cooling rack](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/htD9DF-5bjLyR5Hl_icIVw1hn2A=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Banana_Nut_bread_015-b339273b40f44eac868a59bf6defd47e.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Inspired by pastry chef Bronwen Wyatt's tip of adding espresso powder to recipes with warm spices, Southern Living Deputy Editor Lisa Cericola added espresso powder to her banana bread recipe. In doing so, she discovered that the coffee balanced out the sweetness of the bread and added a new depth to her typical recipe. Just add a teaspoon to your favorite banana bread recipe.
Swiss Roll Cake
![Southern Living Swiss Roll Cake sliced on plates to serve](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/CA7rYAWESLdtFNCapQClsGaHaCk=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/swiss-roll-molly-bolton-hero-1-544dcea7ff3b4ad5b1da98876f395137.jpg)
Molly Bolton
This nostalgic dessert is technical, but fun, to make. As intimidating as it seems, anyone can make this delicious Swiss cake roll.