20 Ways to Make, Bake, Share and Pair Kauai Coffee this Thanksgiving
The holidays are almost here, and for most, that means time spent with 'ohana and friends gathered around the kitchen table and a delicious meal. However, planning for a large, small, or virtual holiday gathering can be a lot of effort and stress, so we're here to help! 100% Kauai Coffee has earned the unique distinction of being triple certified by leading sustainability advocates, including Fair Trade USA, The Rainforest Alliance, and the Non-GMO Project.
It is sustainably grown, roasted, and packaged by our 'ohana on Kauai and is coffee you can feel great about sharing with your friends and family this holiday season. Here are 20 ways you can make, bake with, and share 100% Kauai Coffee with your nearest and dearest this holiday season. Shop for 100% Kauai Coffee favorites like Peaberry, Holiday Blend, and Kauai Blue Mountain online now to guarantee arrival before the holiday season! Stock up and save when you buy any five coffees; get the 6th free!
Pre-Thanksgiving Meal Ideas
Do you get up early on Thanksgiving to exercise, watch a parade, football game, or get started in the kitchen? Power your morning activities with these tasty drinks and baked goods!
Set up an At-Home Coffee Bar
Have lots of family and friends staying under one roof? Make morning coffee a breeze with an at-home coffee station. Set up a few types of coffee, syrups, and toppings so everyone can serve themselves precisely what they like. Get inspiration here.
Coconut Caramel Crunch Coffee Cake
What does paradise taste like? That's an easy one – Coconut Caramel Crunch Coffee! Our most famous creation combines the smooth, delicious taste of Kauai Coffee with all-natural nutty caramel and tropical coconut flavoring. It's a sensation to sip, but it also makes this Coconut Caramel Crunch Coffee Cake really sing. Get the recipe here.
Kauai Coffee Candy Apple Cider Latte
Candy and caramel apples are a classic fall festival treat and the delicious inspiration behind our candy apple cider latte. The warm and spicy apple cider notes combined with island-grown Kauai Coffee and a splash of milk are not too sweet, not too sharp, and just right for fall. Get the complete recipe here, and try it with Kauai Coffee Holiday Spice, Kauai Estate Reserve Typica, or Mundo Novo.
Tropical Gingerbread Latte
Ginger is a holiday flavor staple that grows abundantly in Hawaii. So we've added notes of tropical ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove to our 100% Kauai Coffee Holiday Spice for a cup that tastes just like a ginger snap cookie! Drink it black, with a splash of milk, or in a latte for a warm hug in a mug! Get the recipe here.
Toasty Banana Nut Bread
Thanks to the abundance of bananas that grow in Hawaii, banana bread, desserts, and sweets have long been a part of family meals, restaurant menus, and roadside fruit stands. Some even say the best banana bread on the planet comes from Hawaii. Get our recipe for Toasty Banana Nut Bread here and Toasty Banana Nut Cream Coffee here.
Thanksgiving Recipes and Sides
Kauai Coffee Thanksgiving Coffee Rub Spice rubs add delicious flavor and depth to any meat or poultry but applying a savory rub to turkey before roasting is an especially easy and ono (delicious) preparation that will have your family and friends reaching for seconds. Season your turkey at least an hour before putting it in the oven, imu (Hawaiian hot stone pit oven), or grill for the best results. Get the recipe here to make your own or buy Big Braddah's Coffee Rub and Seasoning here.Kauai Coffee Turkey Brine
Brining your turkey is a great way to ensure juicy, tasty meat. Try adding 100% Kauai Coffee to your brine for a robust flavor. Ingredients
- Equal parts brewed coffee, cooled, and water. You'll need at least 8 cups of each for a medium-sized turkey (10 lbs.)
- 1/2 cup coarse kosher salt
- 1 cup honey or agave syrup
- 1 yellow onion, quartered
- 10 cloves of garlic, crushed
- 2 oranges, 1 lemon quartered
- Aromatics and herbs of choice. We recommend fresh parsley, bay leaves, sliced ginger, black peppercorns, and a few cloves, but you can choose anything you like!
Kauai Coffee Braised Short Ribs
Looking for something unique and delicious to serve this Thanksgiving? If your definition of comfort food is delicious, slow-cooked roasts and stews, this Kauai Coffee braised short ribs recipe is a must-try. Get the recipe here.
Kauai Coffee Candied Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple. Give them a tropical treatment with Kauai Coffee!
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, cubed.
- 3 pounds sweet potato, peeled and sliced into thin rounds 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick
- 1/2 cup chopped macadamia nuts
- 1/2 cup Kauai Coffee, brewed strong
- 1 cup full fat coconut milk
- 3/4 cup brown sugar mixed with 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 bag mini marshmallows (optional)
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish
- Layer 1/3 of the thinly sliced sweet potato rounds into the baking dish and top with a layer of macadamia nuts. Repeat 2-3 times until potatoes and nuts are all layered.
- Mix the Kauai Coffee with coconut milk and pour over the layered potatoes and macadamia nuts.
- Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon mixture over the top of the potatoes and place butter cubes on top. Cover dish with foil and bake until potatoes are soft and tender, about 50 minutes.
- If desired, sprinkle mini marshmallows on top of sweet potatoes after baking and broil for 1-2 minutes until marshmallows are toasted.
Sweet and Savory Kauai Coffee Vinaigrette
Need to add a little pep to your Thanksgiving sides or salads? This dressing is excellent on grilled vegetables, green salads, or as a marinade for meats like steak and lamb. Also, if you have leftover cold brew sitting in the fridge, this is a great recipe to try! Get the recipe here.
Kauai Coffee Gravy The great thing about cooking with coffee is the ability to experiment with both sweet and savory flavors. This coffee gravy, also known as red-eye gravy, pairs well with roasts and is terrific served with fresh biscuits. Ingredients
- 6-8 slices of bacon
- 1/2 cup Kauai Coffee, brewed strong
- 1/2 cup chicken or beef stock
- Sugar and butter to taste
- Cook bacon in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until crisp.
- Remove bacon from pan and set aside.
- Pour Kauai Coffee into the skillet and continue to cook over medium-high heat, scraping bacon bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add stock and simmer until reduced and thickened.
- Once desired consistency has been achieved, whisk in a bit of butter and sugar to taste. Serve immediately.
After Dinner, Drinks, Sweets, and Treats
100% Kauai Coffee is an excellent addition to your Thanksgiving meal, but an even better dessert or post-meal activity! Check out these delicious desserts and pairings.
Pumpkin Crunch In Hawai'i, no potluck, team banquet, or holiday get-together is complete without Pumpkin Crunch at the table. A cross between traditional pumpkin pie and a buttery crumb cake, this sweet treat is especially popular at Thanksgiving and Christmas but enjoyed year-round across the islands. Get the recipe here.
Minty Mocha Brownies
Coffee and chocolate are a classic pair, but Hawaiian coffee, chocolate, and peppermint are even better! Use our simple coffee brownie recipe to whip up a holiday batch today! We recommend any medium or dark roast coffee such as Poipu Estate or Rooster Alarm will work too. Get the recipe here.
Kauai Coffee and Cookie Pairing
What's better than a freshly baked cookie and island-grown coffee? Almost nothing! Treat your 'ohana to a cookie exchange and coffee pairing after the Thanksgiving meal. Get our favorite cookie recipes and coffee pairing ideas here.
Whipped Dalgona Style Kauai Coffee
Do you remember the viral whipped coffee sensation of 2020? Did you know you can make a light, fluffy, and wonderfully delicious, whipped coffee without instant coffee crystals? Our whipped coffee makes a beautiful and light dessert to enjoy after your Thanksgiving meal. Get the recipe here.
Kauai Coffee Extract
If you love coffee-flavored desserts, cookies, and cakes, homemade coffee extract is a pantry essential. Much like vanilla extract, you can use coffee extract to create yummy, coffee-flavored baked goods. Thanks to @ShamarasPrettyThings on Instagram for the idea to make an extract with Kauai Coffee beans!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Kauai Coffee beans lightly crushed.
- 1 cup vodka or neutral spirit
- Using a rolling pin, lightly crush your Kauai Coffee beans in a sealable plastic bag.
- Add crushed coffee beans and vodka to a mason jar or sealed glass container.
- Let the beans steep in the spirit for at least one week, turning and agitating the jar occasionally.
- Strain the coffee beans out of the vodka after at least one week and keep the coffee extract in the refrigerator. Use one teaspoon of extract is equivalent to one teaspoon of instant coffee or espresso powder.
Kauai Coffee Tropical Affogato
If you spend all your energy preparing your Thanksgiving meal, make a no-effort dessert! All you need is 100% Kauai Coffee and a scoop of your favorite ice cream. Place one scoop of vanilla ice cream in a coffee mug. Top with 3-4 tablespoons of freshly brewed Kauai Coffee and enjoy a tropical affogato!
Kauai Coffee Martini
What's even easier than an affogato for dessert? A Kauai Coffee martini! Ingredients
- 2 oz. Vodka
- 2 oz. Kauai Coffee, brewed strong
- 2 oz. coffee liquor (Koloa Rum Kauai Coffee Rum is best!)
Shake all ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker, pour into a martini glass, and enjoy.
Next Day Iced Kauai Coffee
Refrigerate leftover Thanksgiving coffee and make your next day coffee routine a breeze with an iced latte or sparkling iced coffee.
DIY Kauai Coffee Gift Baskets
Lastly, if you're not able to celebrate with loved ones in person this year, you can still share a taste of paradise with 'ohana and friends near and far. Create a DIY Kauai Coffee gift basket with these simple tips.