COFFEE-FLAVORED ICE CUBES

"Don't let your coffee drinks get watered down with plain ice cubes. Making frozen coffee ice cubes is no sweat! Freeze some coffee ahead of time in a regular ice cube tray to use in your favorite recipes for perfect coffees every time."

Brew any type of coffee to your personal taste. (I recommend a stronger coffee brew or even espresso for more flavorful ice cubes.) If using freshly brewed coffee, let it cool slightly.

Pour fresh brew or even leftover morning coffee or espresso into a clean ice cube tray. Place in the freezer.

Once frozen, remove the coffee cubes from the tray and place them in a resealable plastic freezer bag. This keeps your precious coffee cubes from sponging up other freezer moisture/aromas, becoming dehydrated and shrinking in the freezer.

Use coffee ice cubes within two weeks to enhance iced coffee recipes as necessary and desired.

VARIATION:

CREAM-LAYERED COFFEE CUBES:
Fill the squares in a clean ice cube tray half full with coffee and place in the freezer.

Once frozen, top the coffee with half-and-half or evaporated milk; return to freezer.

When frozen solid, remove from the tray and store in a resealable plastic freezer bag for up to 10 days. Proudly serve these fashionable coffee cubes in your favorite drinks.

Source: Susan Zimmer to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, June 16, 2007