Carlota de Cafe (Printable Version)
# What You'll Need:
→ Cream Filling
01 -
8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
02 -
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
03 -
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
04 -
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 -
½ teaspoon salt
06 -
¾-1 cup strong brewed coffee, completely cooled
07 -
3 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
→ Cookies
08 -
2-3 packages Maria cookies or digestive cookies
→ Garnish
09 -
½ tablespoon cocoa powder
10 -
1 teaspoon instant coffee
# Step-by-Step Directions:
01 -
In a large mixing bowl, combine the room temperature cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, salt and cooled brewed coffee. Beat the mixture with a mixer until smooth and creamy.
02 -
Add the heavy whipping cream directly into the coffee cream mixture. Continue whipping until the mixture thickens and forms soft peaks. The cream should be fluffy but not too stiff.
03 -
In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of the whipped coffee cream mixture on the bottom. Place a layer of Maria cookies on top, covering the entire surface. Add another layer of the coffee cream on top of the cookies. Repeat the process, alternating layers of cookies and coffee cream, until all the mixture is used, finishing with a layer of the coffee cream on top.
04 -
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the cookies to soften and the flavors to meld.
05 -
Before serving, mix the cocoa powder and instant coffee together in a small bowl. Lightly dust the top of the Carlota with this mixture using a fine sieve or sifter. Slice into squares and serve chilled.
# Helpful Notes:
01 -
Use strong brewed coffee for the filling to get a more robust flavor. Decaf works too if you're avoiding caffeine.
02 -
If the cream mixture is difficult to thicken, start with just half of the coffee in the initial mixture, then fold in the remaining coffee gradually after the cream has stiffened.
03 -
For best results, chill the dessert overnight to allow cookies to soften to a cake-like consistency.
04 -
For an elegant presentation, consider additional garnishes like grated chocolate or a sprinkle of cinnamon.