Sharing all the details of hosting an at-home coffee shop!
Sundays have casually become our designated coffee shop day, a time to unwind and indulge in our favorite brews. However, this past Sunday, I decided to bring the coffee shop experience home by hosting an at-home café for some of my friends. I named it "Café Sunday," which I thought was fitting and added a charming touch to the event.
Having always dreamt of opening my own café, this was a perfect opportunity to bring that vision to life. To add a personal touch, I got my own logos printed and a customized menu, which gave the setup a professional yet cozy feel. A winter-themed menu set the tone, featuring seasonal flavors and comforting eats.
Transforming my living room into a cozy café was a dream come true. I set up a festive table display with a rustic coffee station and an assortment of light coffee shop bites. Inviting seating arrangements with comfy sofas and soothing coffee shop background music created the perfect vibe. A chalkboard menu showcased the seasonal drinks alongside the delicious homemade treats I had prepared.
The seasonal sips selection was the star of the show, offering winter favorites like peppermint iced coffee, hot peppermint mocha, and a chilled cranberry citrus refresher. Each guest could customize their coffee with different types of milk—almond, oat, and soy. To make it extra special, I included a DIY toppings bar with snowflake sprinkles, whip cream, chocolate syrup, and more!
The food complemented the coffee perfectly. I prepared an array of homemade pastries and healthy snacks, perfect for my fellow Dietitian friends who appreciate both taste and nutrition. There were savory options like Spinach and Mushroom Alfredo Pastry, Roasted Tomato Veggie Soup, and Grilled Cheese Croissants. For those with a sweet tooth, I offered baked goods like Toasted Coconut Parfait, Gingerbread Banana Muffins, and Espresso Oat Cookies topped with a coffee glaze and chocolate covered coffee beans.
If you’re looking to create a special gathering this season, why not bring the coffee shop experience home? It's an easy and customizable way to enjoy time with your loved ones. Grab the recipes below to bring the Cafe Sunday into your home!
Cafe Sunday Winter Menu + Recipes!
Seasonal Sips
Peppermint Cold Brew- Serves 2
Ingredients:
2 cups chilled cold brew or pour over ice
2 tbsp. peppermint syrup
1/2 cup milk of choice
Toppings: Cold foam, Holiday sprinkles, candy cane, chocolate syrup for a mocha version
Directions: Divide cold brew, peppermint syrup, and milk into 2 serving glasses, add your toppings, and enjoy!
Cranberry Citrus Refresher- Serves 2
Ingredients:
1 cup lemon flavored sparkling water
1 cup cranberry juice
Garnish: fresh cranberries and orange slices
Directions: Divide the sparkling water and cranberry juice into 2 serving glasses. Toss in your granished and enjoy chilled or over ice.
Sweets
Espresso Oat Cookies: 15 cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup all-purpose or whole wheat flour
2 tbsp. butter, melted and slightly cooled
1/8 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. instant ground coffee
1/2 cup honey
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
Directions: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. In a bowl, mix together the dry ingredients: rolled oats, flour, salt, and baking powder. In another bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: butter, honey, vanilla, egg, and coffee grounds. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and combine well. Using an ice cream scoop, drop the cookie mixture onto the lined baking sheet and slightly flatten each scoop with the back of the scoop. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, then let the cookies sit out for a bit to continue setting and baking through since the center may be a bit soft right after baking.
Notes: You can melt some icing and add a hint of coffee grounds to create a espresso flavored icing. I also added a chocolate covered coffee bean to each cook for a decorative touch.
Ingredients:
2 ripe bananas
1 cup flour
1 egg
6 tbsp. melted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tbsp. gingerbread spice(pre-made or homemade)
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a muffin dish with muffin liners. First, combine bananas, sugar, butter, egg, and vanilla in a mixing bowl until bananas are mashed. Then, add flour, baking soda, salt, and gingerbread spice to the mixing bowl and combine well. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
Notes: You can decorate each muffin with whipped cream or cream cheese frosting and a gingerbread man for a festive look.
Toasted Coconut Parfait- Serves 2
Ingredients:
1 cup coconut yogurt ( I used coconut Greek yogurt for a protein boost)
1/2 cup granola
1/4 cup, coconut flakes lightly toasted on a pan until golden brown
Directions: Divide the coconut yogurt, granola, then toasted coconut into 2 serving glasses in that order. To add a seasonal touch, you can garnish with winter-themed chocolates, marshmallows, or pretzel treats. I created chocolate pretzel trees and marshmallow snowmans for a festive look..
Lite Bites
Spinach & Mushroom Alfredo Pastry- Makes 6
Ingredients:
1/2 cup canned or fresh mushrooms, chopped
1/2 small onion, diced
1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
1/2 cup shredded cheese of choice
1 cup ready-made Alfredo sauce of choice
Dried Italian herb seasoning
1 frozen puff pastry sheet
Directions: Thaw a puff pastry sheet according to directions. Mix the veggies and alfredo sauce in a bowl. Cut the puff pastry sheet into 6 rectangles. Optional- brush the top of each pastry with egg wash for a golden brown look after baking. Add a spoonful of the spinach & mushroom alfredo mix onto each puff pastry dough and spread it out a bit with a spoon. Sprinkle over cheese and Italian seasoning. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and puff pastry is cooked and golden brown.
Grilled Cheese Croissant
Ingredients:
Mini croissants
Cheese of your choice (ex:cheddar, mozzarella slices, pepeprjack)
Optional: Melted butter, garlic butter or oil of choice for toasting
Directions: Slice the croissants in half and stuff each one with your choice of cheese slices or a combination of cheeses. Optional- lightly brush the top of each croissant with butter or oil. Toast on a griddle or pan until golden brown and melted cheese.
Roasted Tomato Veggie Soup: Serves about 4
Ingredients:
6 tomatoes, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 orange or red bell pepper, chopped
1 whole head of garlic, outer flakey skin peeled
1.5 cups broth of your choice
Seasonings(adjust to taste): 1 tsp. dried oregano, 1 tsp. dried parsley, salt, pepper, 1 tsp. cumin seeds
Optional toppings: Drizzle of heavy cream, pesto, cheese.
Directions: Prep the soup base: roast the veggies. Toss tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions with seasonings and oil in a baking dish. Cut the top off a head of garlic and place it in the center of the veggies. Roast at 400°F for 40 minutes.When your soup base is perfectly roasted, transfer it to a pot with vegetable broth and let it simmer gently. Squeeze the garlic cloves out of the skin and add it to the pot. Use a handheld blender to blend the soup until smooth. Taste and tweak the seasoning if necessary. Pour into serving bowls, add your favorite toppings, and enjoy!
Hosting an at-home café experience is a wonderful way to bring the charm and comfort of your favorite coffee shop right to your living room. With a thoughtfully curated menu and delicious homemade treats, you can create an inviting atmosphere that your friends and family will love. From cozy seating arrangements to a rustic coffee station, every detail can help set the perfect vibe for a memorable gathering. So go ahead, get creative, and enjoy your very own "Cafe Sunday" at home – it’s a delightful way to share good times and great flavors with those you cherish most!
Hungry for more information ? Check out my previous posts below
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