Cappuccino Jello - Refreshing dessert - tastes like iced coffee!

This recipe is a variation off a Coffee Jelly recipe I found which is something that is apparently served in Japan.  The idea sounded interesting but I don't like coffee so much, but rather coffee flavoring in things.  That recipe needed some cream and sugar I thought, so I decided to make up Cappuccino Jello.  This turned out really tasty and tasted just like an iced coffee or a frappuccino.  Really yummy and healthier than the artificial coloring and flavoring fruit varieties at the store.  Even the kids loved it too!

Cappuccino Jello

3 cups boiling water
1/4 cup instant coffee (I think Nescafe tastes the best, a lot of varieties are bitter and nasty)
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup half and half (you could probably use milk too)
2 packets unflavored gelatin

Stir boiling water, instant coffee, and sugar together until dissolved.  Add the 2 packets of gelatin to a bowl with the half and half or milk.  Wait 1 minute and then stir it with a whisk.  Add it to the water mixture and whisk until well dissolved, about 5 minutes.  Put in fridge in dessert cups or container for 4 hours or more until well chilled and set.  To serve, top with whipped cream or cool whip if desired and caramel sauce for an even tastier treat.  I topped mine with cool whip and homemade caramel sauce and it tasted like a caramel frappuccino.  It was so yummy!  Without it, it tasted like a plain cappuccino which was a bit plain for me and too coffee tasting, but I loved the extra flavor the caramel sauce added and the creaminess from the cool whip.

You could also try adding fudge sauce or chocolate syrup instead on top.  You could also substitute flavored or non-flavored brewed coffee instead of the instant coffee and water if you prefer.  To make a thicker, more jello jigglers style jello, add another packet of gelatin.  You could then cut it in cubes.  You can half this recipe if it makes too much or if you have a smaller family than me.  If you really like the taste of coffee, try 4 cups of coffee with no half and half (which is then coffee jelly) and you can adjust the sugar to your liking.  Have fun and mix it up! 

Hot Fudge Sauce

This hot fudge sauce recipe makes a rich, chocolatey, thick hot fudge sauce that is a great compliment to lots of desserts.  No need to spend a ton of money on a small jar of fudge sauce at the store that has all those chemicals in it and doesn't even taste good.  Try this recipe!  It would be great to give in decorative half pint mason jars for a delicious gift.  Make sure it stays refrigerated.

Hot Fudge Sauce

Ingredients
1 3/4 cups heavy cream (I use half and half because it's cheaper or you can use evaporated milk, but it tastes a little different)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, cut into small pieces
2 3/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions
In a heavy bottomed saucepan over low heat, bring the cream just to a boil then add the brown sugar and stir just until it dissolves.  Add small pieces of butter and mix until completely melted, then stir in the chocolate chips.  Wait a few minutes for chocolate to soften before folding it in with a spatula.  Stir in the salt and vanilla extract and blend until well incorporated.  Let cool for 15 minutes.  It will thicken as it cools.  This recipe makes a lot and you could easily half it.  It stores in the fridge for weeks. It's the consistency of a soft fudge when in the fridge, so it's too thick to drizzle on top of things.  To soften, scoop out desired amount into microwave safe bowl and microwave in 15 second increments and stir.  It doesn't take much to soften it at all and you don't want to scorch it.

This sauce is great drizzled over ice cream, cheesecake, brownies, cookies, or whatever you like!