Espresso Powder - Recipe

Personally, I don't make a lot of boxed cakes.  I noticed that the cake mixes in my cupboard had exp. dates of 2008 and 2009.  So, now that it is the year 2014, I decided to open up one of those bad boys - a triple chocolate fudge cake.  I usually add our leftover coffee in place of liquids in baking recipes, but the coffee carafe was empty.  I know, what a big surprise.  I made a homemade chocolate fudge frosting...and I added the JAVA & Co. Small Batch Recipes Espresso Powder.  Wow. In. Love. With. The. Richness.  I've included the frosting recipe below:

Chocolate Frosting
3 cups powdered sugar
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/3 cup milk
1/2 cup butter (melted)
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp Espresso Powder

Blend sugar and cocoa.  Melt butter, then add butter, milk and vanilla to sugar/cocoa mixture and blend.  Beat for a few minutes until well blended.  Now taste it.  Then add 1 tsp or more of Espresso Powder.  Blend.  Taste again.  Add more if desired and blend.  The more you add, the richer the flavor becomes.  Frost cooled cake.  For thicker frosting add more powdered sugar.

Note:  I recommend tasting the frosting BEFORE adding the Espresso Powder so you have an immediate before and after comparison.
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Espresso Powder is a secret of many professional bakers and is used to heighten and enrich the chocolate flavor in all chocolate recipes - cakes, muffins, frostings, etc.  We also use it as an espresso rub to create a nice char on grilled steaks; as an ingredient in homemade custard ice cream; and as simple as a light garnish on hot cocoa whipped cream or chocolate pies, plus of course, as a staple ingredient in chocolate baking.

Espresso Powder & JA MOCHA Coffee Powder - www.javaandco.com

How do you use Espresso Powder in recipes? 

We'd love to hear from you - please share!

Jamie Knoll

JAVA & Co.
Small Batch Recipes
www.javaandco.com

Snowed-in JAVA & Co. Online Sale!

EXPO-that-we-are-unable-to-attend-due-to-an-approaching-winter-storm-and-travel-so-we're-maintaining-a-positive-attitude-and-having-an-online-SALE-instead #soontobeburiedinsnow

Due to another anticipated winter storm (they are now saying TWO winter storms this weekend) scheduled from Friday through Sunday (expo weekend), JAVA & Co. has made the difficult decision NOT to attend this weekend's Illinois Products Expo 2014 in Springfield, Illinois. We are very disappointed and look forward to this event every year.

Brian and I wanted to offer a website promotion - especially for all of our wonderful customers that come out and see us this weekend - each and every year. We will miss you seeing you again. If you must drive this weekend, please be safe!

From today through Sunday, March 2nd - Use Promo Code EXPO14 to save online at www.javaandco.com.

For a limited time save 20% off of your qualifying retail purchase made online at www.javaandco.com. Use promo code EXPO14 at checkout. Share the promo code and pray for spring!

Brian and Jamie Knoll
Owners & Founders

Offer Details: No Cash Value. Not Valid on Prior Purchases. Valid on In-stock Items Only. May Not be Combined with Other Discounts.

Customers and Micro Businesses - Walking Hand in Hand

JAVA & Co. attended our annual Thanksgiving Market in Bloomington, Illinois this past weekend.  Since Brian and I began going to the outdoor market in Bloomington, the Thanksgiving Market has become an annual event.  We wouldn't miss it. 

 

Sitting here, in my home office, writing this blog entry, I'm overflowing with thankfulness (if that's a word, if not, I like it) for our customers, our colleagues and fellow small businesses.  We may have launched JAVA & Co. with a dream, a passion and a recipe, but we know we wouldn't still be 'cooking' and 'baking' if it weren't for the wonderful supportive people along the way - sharing ideas, tips, feedback and humor!

 

I'm reminded that the majority of BIG business did not go from zero to sixty in 7 seconds, but built from the ground up and were once, not just small businesses but rather, micro businesses like JAVA & Co. is today.  And today, for 2013, for JAVA & Co., for Brian and I, it's hard to consider trading the closeness of our micro business for something bigger.  We've been in corporate.  We've managed teams.  Nothing compares with the rewarding relationships that we have developed with our supportive customers.  Brian and I have something that many CEO's and Presidents miss out on - a direct line with our guests. 

 

It makes us want to work harder; and month after month - provide an even better product; and something new for them to try. 

 

They make us more creative.

They make us better.

They make JAVA & Co. better.

We are SO thankful.

 

Thank you!

 

Wishing you blessings this holiday season!

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Brian & Jamie Knoll

JAVA & Co.'s Website is on the Move...

Today we began the process of moving our website.  The domain URL will be the same - www.javaandco.com, but our website design and options will be completely different.  

Do not be alarmed if the website is down for  up to 48 hours - this is completely normal and expected with a website redirect.  You may wonder why we chose the busiest time of year for the move.  It is quite simple - the additional customer and checkout options were too good not to do this in time for the upcoming busy holiday season.  Rest assured, we tested all in the new website before finalizing the move and the functionality was 'spot on'.

During this time, if you have any questions or order requests, please email us at javaandco@live.com!

Thank you for your patience during this transition.  It will be worth the wait, we promise!

Owners & Founders,
Brian & Jamie Knoll