Spiced Christmas Coffee Food

SPICED CHRISTMAS GINGERBREAD COFFEE WITH COGNAC CHANTILLY CREAM

Steps:

• Gingerbread Syrup.
• Make the gingerbread syrup by combining water, sugar, ginger, cinnamon and vanilla in a medium saucepan. Be sure the pan is not too small or the mixture could easily bubble over.
• Bring mixture to a boil then reduce heat and simmer the syrup, uncovered, for about 15 minutes. Remove the syrup from the heat when it's done - thickened, glossy and clear - and then cover it. This can now be stored in a bottle or jar in the fridge for about a month.
• Gingerbread Coffee.
• Make the fresh coffee in your coffee filter machine to personal taste - I have suggested 1/2 scoop of medium blend coffee per person for a tall mug of coffee.
• Just before serving the gingerbread coffees, whip the cream with a hand held mixer until it just holds its shape - then add the cognac, cinnamon and icing sugar and whip until it is firm. If you have a cream siphon - decant the cream into the siphon for piping later.
• When you are ready to serve the gingerbread coffees, pour some fresh coffee into each tall mug until about two thirds full; add a tablespoon of ginger syrup and stir the coffee - taste it and adjust the flavour by adding more syrup if needed. Then carefully spoon or pipe the cream on to the top of the coffee. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon and serve with a cinnamon stick as a stirrer!
• If you have any cream left over - make another gingerbread coffee!

HOLIDAY SPICED COFFEE

Steps:

• Add the ground coffee and pumpkin pie spice to the coffee filter of a drip coffee maker. Add 6 cups of water to the machine. Add the strips of orange zest to the empty carafe.
• Brew according to the manufacturer's instructions. The orange zest should stay in the carafe as the cups are filled.

SPICED COFFEE

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients in a small (1 mug or 2 cup size) coffee plunger.
• Add boiling water and allow to stand for 5 minutes before pouring.

SPICED COFFEE

Steps:

• In a 3-qt. slow cooker, combine coffee, sugar, chocolate syrup and extract. Place cinnamon sticks and cloves on a double thickness of cheesecloth. Gather corners of cloth to enclose spices; tie securely with string. Add to slow cooker. Cook, covered, on low 2-3 hours., Discard spice bag. If desired, serve coffee with cinnamon sticks.

SPICED CHRISTMAS COFFEE WITH BRANDIED WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• Place ground coffee, cardamom, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in coffee filter. Using spoon, mix gently. Add water to coffee maker and brew according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Divide coffee among 8 cups. Garnish each with a dollop of whipped cream and serve immediately. /epi-preparation>
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