Save Used Coffee Grounds And Make Homemade Desserts Look Bakery-Worthy - Tasting Table

"Those of us who drink coffee every day inevitably end up with lots of spent coffee grounds left over. More than likely, they wind up in the trash bin and eventually take up space in a landfill. If you are of the repurposing mindset, then you'll already know that there are lots of things you can do to bring new life into those used up coffee grounds, from improving your garden soil to eliminating nasty odors from your home."

"But leftover coffee grounds are also useful as a garnish to elevate your dessert presentation to make it more restaurant-worthy. Sprinkle them atop a creamy mousse or scatter some on a plate around a slice of cake - if you've dined at a high-end establishment where dishes were garnished with "edible dirt," you'll get the idea. Your leftover coffee grounds can add the same eye appeal and texture to your desserts, but they must be used judiciously."

"After all, nobody enjoys a mouthful of grit. A little goes a long way, whether you're creating a look or adding a hint of bitterness and acidity to balance a sweet dessert. It's also crucial to consider compatible flavors, as not everything will pair well with the assertiveness of coffee. But using them on coffee flavored desserts is obviously a no-brainer; next time you make a classic tiramisu, save the espresso grounds after brewing to sprinkle on top of it."

"To get them ready to garnish your desserts, first, you need to dehydrate the used coffee grounds. Preheat the oven to the lowest setting and spread the grounds in a thin, even layer on a baking sheet. Place it in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through to make sure the grounds dry evenly. Then, let them cool fully before storing in an airtight container."

Daily coffee brewing produces spent grounds that often end up in landfills. Used coffee grounds can improve garden soil, eliminate odors, and enhance cooking and baking by adding depth and crunchy texture. Grounds can serve as a restaurant-style dessert garnish to provide eye appeal, texture, bitterness, and acidity to balance sweetness. Use grounds sparingly to avoid gritty mouthfuls and consider flavor compatibility, with coffee-flavored desserts as the best match. To prepare grounds for garnish, dehydrate them on a baking sheet at the oven's lowest setting for 20–30 minutes, stirring halfway, then cool fully and store in an airtight container.

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