Egg Yolk Coffee – Quick & Easy Recipe for Busy Days
It sounds like another TikTok trend, but egg yolk coffee is found in coffee traditions around the globe. My on-the-go egg yolk coffee recipe is a creamy drink that will wake you up and add nutrition to your morning routine.
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When I first heard of raw egg yolk coffee, admittedly, I was hesitant. The thought of egg and coffee doesn’t sound like a natural combo.
But…I was wrong. I was sold the first time I made it! It has a velvety texture that is not only delicious, but also feels decadent on a busy morning.
My one hang-up, however, is that most of the recipes I have found are more labor-intensive than I have time for in the morning.
Many of the recipes circulating online, like traditional Vietnamese egg coffee, call for using a stand mixer to hand mixer to make custard, then making coffee to pour over the egg custard. I’m sure it’s delicious. But the reality is when I’m trying to run out the door in the morning with a cup of coffee, there is no time for that.
This recipe is an easier, on-the-go version of egg yolk coffee. You don’t need a mixer like traditional Vietnamese dessert coffee. You don’t need to boil the eggshells like Scandinavian egg coffee calls for (more about the origins below!).
Just grab the ingredients, mix them, and seize the day! It’s a great way to mix up your coffee routine, get a little nutrition, and use up extra fresh eggs. Plus, you’ll be able to skip the coffee shop and enjoy this at home or on the go.
Tips for Egg Yolk Coffee
Use a strong brew
Part of the appeal of egg yolk coffee is the contrast between the lightly sweetened egg yolk and the coffee. To highlight that contrast, I recommend using a strong, dark coffee.
I usually brew two shots of espresso and top it with a few ounces of hot water (like a strong Americano).
However, the coffee that you enjoy is the best coffee. So if strong coffee isn’t your vibe, make what you know you will enjoy.
Add in extras
This recipe is a basic, on-the-go version. Still, there are endless ways that you can craft your own egg yolk coffee. Some ideas include:
- Cinnamon – This is one of my favorites! I love to sprinkle a little cinnamon over the top of my egg yolk coffee, especially if I’m using maple syrup. It gives subtle French toast vibes.
- Vanilla – Homemade or store-bought vanilla is delicious in creamy coffee.
- Collagen – Tossing collagen into your coffee is an easy way to get a daily dose of protein. It has a neutral flavor, so it won’t disrupt your coffee ritual.
- Cocoa powder – Because chocolate. Need I say anymore? Egg is an emulsifier, so I recommend mixing the cocoa powder with the egg first. Then, add the cream.
Egg Yolk Coffee Benefits
Part of a pro-metabolic diet
Part of the theory surrounding a pro-metabolic diet is that skipping meals doesn’t support a healthy metabolism.
According to pro-metabolic enthusiasts, a raw egg yolk coffee can offer a little nutrition and metabolic support before you can (finally) get around to eating breakfast.
I am not a nutritionist or medical professional, so you should ask your healthcare provider if this is the right nutrition for you.
Easy dairy-free coffee
If you can’t consume dairy, an egg-enriched coffee like this can satisfy your decadent, creamy coffee craving. Just leave out the 2 tablespoons of cream or replace the cream with your favorite dairy-free option.
Leftover egg whites
Leftover egg whites might sound trivial, but I am always here for recipes that expand the use of my ingredients. After making my coffee, I toss the egg white into an air-tight container that I keep in the fridge. Once I have three or four egg whites, I use them to whip up a quick breakfast. (Bonus pro-tip: I also toss my coffee grounds in the garden. Ground coffee is a great admendment for most gardens and flower beds).
Egg yolk coffee origins
Though it seems like something that originated as a TikTok trend, egg yolk coffee is consumed in many cultures.
Vietnamese egg yolk coffee or cà phê trứng is often enjoyed as a dessert. It originated as a response to the milk shortage during the First Indochina War. In this version, coffee is topped with a sweetened custard or egg cream made from egg yolk, condensed milk, and vanilla extract.
There are mixed stories about Scandinavian egg coffee. Some suggest that there is a version of egg yolk coffee in Sweden. But most sources conclude that Scandinavian immigrants headed to America consumed Swedish egg coffee, particularly during church gatherings
FAQs
Is egg yolk coffee safe?
The big question is “I am going to get salmonella?” Consuming raw eggs always comes with a risk. But I will admit that I’ve eaten enough raw cookie dough in my lifetime to kill me 10 times over.
You will have to decide what is the right option for you when it comes to consuming raw eggs. I recommend learning more from the CDC’s Salmonella and Eggs article.
What does egg yolk coffee taste like?
Egg yolk coffee does NOT taste like eggs. It tastes similar to a latte but with a richer flavor. It’s delicious!
And if you add in extras like vanilla or cocoa powder, you can customize your coffee to suit your palate.
What type of coffee should you use?
The absolute best coffee is the one you like. So I recommend making coffee that you know you will enjoy. For my egg yolk coffee, I brew two shots of espresso and make a concentrated Americano.
Tools You Will Need
- Electric frother or whisk – Whipping the egg, sugar, and cream mixture will create a custard-like texture.
- Mug – Of course, you need something to hold your coffee. I like using a half-pint mason jar.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp heavy cream – You can use your milk of choice, but the cream will make your coffee much more decadent. If you are dairy-free, leave this out or use your favorite dairy alternative.
- 1 tbsp sweetener of choice – Sugar, maple syrup, and honey are good choices. I recommend using the sweetener you enjoy in your regular coffee.
- 1 egg yolk – You can use fresh eggs or store-bought eggs. Just make sure they are NOT expired. I also recommend thoroughly washing the shell before cracking it open. I get my eggs from a local farmer, but store-bought eggs will also work just as well.
- Freshly brewed black coffee – Make the coffee you enjoy drinking! When I make this recipe, I usually make a darker, more concentrated coffee than usual. I use my espresso machine to make a double shot and add a little water. But that is just my preference. You can also use percolated coffee, instant coffee, or French press coffee, for example.
- Optional add-ins – The world is your oyster here. For example, you can add vanilla extract, cocoa powder, or collagen.
How to Make Egg Yolk Coffee
- Add the cream, sweetener, and egg yolk into a heat-safe jar or mug.
- Using an electric frother or handheld whisk, whip together until the ingredients have thickened and are a custard-like consistency.
- Stir in any optional add-ins (vanilla, cocoa powder, collagen, etc.).
- Pour hot coffee over the egg mixture. Stir or whip again with an electric frother until combined.
- Enjoy!
More Recipes You’ll Love
Egg Yolk Coffee
It sounds like another TikTok trend, but egg yolk coffee is found in coffee traditions around the globe. My on-the-go egg yolk coffee recipe is a creamy drink that will wake you up and add nutrition to your morning routine.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 tbsp sweetener of choice (sugar, maple syrup, honey, etc.)
- 1 egg yolk
- Freshly brewed coffee
- Optional add-ins (vanilla, cocoa powder, collagen, etc.)
Instructions
- Add the cream, sweetener, and egg yolk into a heat-safe jar or mug.
- Using an electric frother or handheld whisk, whip together until the ingredients have thickened and are a custard-like consistency.
- Stir in any optional add-ins (vanilla, cocoa powder, collagen, etc.).
- Pour hot coffee over the egg mixture. Stir or whip again with an electric frother until combined.
- Enjoy!
Notes
If your frother or biceps aren't strong enough to get a custard-like consistency, don't worry about it. Just whip until combined and bubbly.
If you are using cocoa powder: egg is an emulsifier, so I recommend mixing the cocoa powder with the egg first. Then, add the cream.