Quick answer: A coffee klatch is an informal get-together where friends or neighbors chat over coffee and something small to eat. The term comes from the German Kaffeeklatsch, meaning “coffee gossip” or “coffee chat”, and the spelling “coffee klatsch” is also correct. To host one, invite a few friends, brew plenty of coffee and bake a favorite treat.
I first heard the term “coffee klatch” from a friend’s grandma, and was surprised to find a coffee term I didn’t know.
Simply put a coffee klatch is a meetup between friends for a cup of joe and something small to eat. I’ve been unknowingly partaking in coffee klatches my whole life.
A coffee klatch is an old school way of meeting up with friends to gossip and share a cup of coffee. It is an old pastime now associated with grandmas and the older generation. But the idea is timeless, and anyone can host one.
In this guide 5 sections
Where does the term coffee klatch come from?
The word coffee klatch actually comes from the German word Kaffeeklatsch meaning roughly “coffee chat” or “coffee gossip”. In English it is spelled both “coffee klatch” and “coffee klatsch”.
You will also see “coffee clutch”, but that is a mishearing of the original.
In the US, the coffee klatch is most associated with the 1950s and 1960s, when many families moved to the suburbs after World War II.
During this time coffee klatches were a common occurrence to catch up with friends, neighbors, and family. They often took place on weekday mornings, once the children were at school.
The old school coffee klatch was held at one of the homes and they provided coffee and desserts.
What does a coffee klatch look like today?
Many readers may have unknowingly done a coffee klatch with friends or family. Many times coffee dates can even be considered coffee klatches.
Today there is a cafe on almost every corner, and for the price of a latte you can talk with friends for hours. A weekly coffee meetup at a cafe or someone’s kitchen table is a coffee klatch in all but name.
The difference between us now and historically is now we are constantly connected to thousands of friends. However, we can learn to slow down and talk with friends that really matter and have our own coffee klatch once in a while.
How do you host a coffee klatch?
Hosting your own coffee klatch is easy. Follow these steps:
1. Host your coffee klatch like an event
Treat it like a small event so people actually show up.
Pick a theme or a treat and send out invitations like you would for a party. You can use physical cards or use a calendar invite, but make sure they confirm! You don’t want your efforts to be in vain.
2. Plan out the details
You can be creative at this part! If you have a gathering idea that you’ve had in mind that you’ve wanted to try this is the perfect time to set it up.
Here are some ideas that I’ve tried and have great feedback with:
- Food tastings with miracle berry, whose miraculin makes sour foods taste sweet.
- Cheese tastings with different cheeses and coffees (see our coffee and food pairings for ideas).
- Dessert day and it can also be baking day. Get your friends involved in the baking!
You will also have to prepare the coffee and the cups. What I like doing for my coffee klatches is preparing some freshly roasted coffee from a local roaster and preparing a large amount of cold brew and then freshly brewing drip coffee just as the guests arrive. This way we can enjoy coffee while we enjoy our activities.
Make sure you have all the additives that go with coffee. While I usually like my coffee black I have to be considerate for the others. Keep some tea in case someone has had enough coffee and wants a different drink. Of course have sugar, milk/creamer, and even flavor syrups if you want to go all out!
If you hold these events often it will be great to designate cups to your friends. This way they have a personal connection with their cup and there could be an inside joke or story behind the cup you get them.
3. Prepare your famous dish
It won’t be a coffee klatch without something to snack on. This is the time to whip out that secret recipe that you’ve been waiting to use. Think cookies, cake or pie, or try baking with coffee.
If you don’t have one this is when you will practice and perfect your dish. Don’t worry your friends won’t judge you! This is how all the best secret recipes are developed. You should alternate with your friends hosting coffee klatches at each others houses.
My favorite coffee klatch treat: stroopwafels
In my opinion, the best snack to go with coffee is Stroopwafel, two layers of thinly baked dough with a caramel filling making a crisp cookie. You can place this on top of a mug of warm coffee and it will heat up your cookie and soften the caramel filling giving you a heavenly combination of cookie, caramel, and coffee.
To make this you don’t need any special equipment. All you need is:
For the Dough
- 1/2 cup of warm water
- 1 packet of yeast
- 4 cups of flour
- 1 cup of salted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 2 eggs
For the Filling
- 1 cup of salted butter
- 1 and a 1/2 cup of brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 3/8 cup of dark corn syrup
Instructions
- Mix the warm water and yeast in a bowl.
- In the bowl add flour, softened butter, cinnamon, sugar, and egg.
- Whisk the mixture until everything is combined into a dough.
- Knead the dough until it is smooth and set it aside for later.
- In a pan combine the butter, brown sugar, and dark corn syrup for the filling.
- Put this mixture on medium heat and stir until it is bubbling and all the sugar has dissolved.
- Using a separate pan put it on medium heat and drop a golf ball sized ball of dough on the pan.
- Place a weight on the dough or use a grill press and cook for around 60 seconds until golden brown and then flip.
- Once both sides have been browned let it cool and slice it in half.
- Lastly, spread the filling inside the waffle and create a sandwich.
Frequently asked questions
Is it coffee klatch or coffee klatsch?
Both spellings are used in English. “Klatsch” is closer to the German original, Kaffeeklatsch; “coffee clutch” is a common mishearing.
What do you serve at a coffee klatch?
Coffee, of course, with milk, sugar and maybe a pot of tea, plus something small to eat such as cookies, cake or pastries.
Is a coffee date a coffee klatch?
More or less. A coffee klatch is usually a group, often a regular one, but any relaxed meetup over coffee to talk shares the same spirit. For more coffee trivia, see our fun facts about coffee.