How to make an Italian Affogato! Affogato is the perfect Italian dessert that combines hot espresso with creamy vanilla gelato or ice cream. In just minutes, you can create this simple yet indulgent treat, blending the rich flavors of coffee and ice cream for a delightful finish to any meal.
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- 💖Why we love Italian affogato:
- What is affogato?
- 🛒Ingredients in affogato:
- 🍽️ How to make the best affogato?
- Equipment you need to make this coffee over ice cream:
- What is an affogato corretto?
- What to serve with affogato ice cream?
- 🫙 Leftover and Storing
- 📃 Substitutions & Variations for ice cream and coffee:
- ☑️ Lora's Tips for Italian coffee and ice cream dessert:
- ☑️ Home espresso makers to make coffee with vanilla ice cream:
- ❓ FAQ'S
- Some other espresso recipes you'll love:
- 📖 Recipe
- Italian Affogato (Coffee with Ice Cream Dessert)
Leave it to the Italians to create affogato! Affogato is the ultimate Italian dessert, combining the richness of ice cream with the bold flavors of espresso. Affogato means "drowned" in Italian, which perfectly describes this dessert where gelato is drowned in espresso. A traditional Italian coffee-dessert where hot espresso is poured over gelato or ice cream, and it's optional to add on a splash of liquor.
As soon as the coffee is poured over the gelato, you take your first bite with a spoon. I like to dive into the gelato and spoon up some of the espresso with every bite. The best part is drinking the last of the melted gelato mixed with the espresso. Slightly bitter and sweet enough, it is delightful!
The contrast between the hot and bitter coffee and the sweet and creamy gelato (or ice cream) creates a beautifully balanced coffee dessert that's both refreshing and indulgent. This easy dessert is perfect for a quick treat or as an impressive treat for a dinner party.
Using your espresso machine, you can make this simple and brilliant dessert in minutes. The best part is that you can customize it to your liking. For a classic version, stick to vanilla gelato, or for something different, try mint chocolate chip or chocolate chip ice cream.
You can even add a dollop of whipped cream to elevate the indulgence. Affogato will for sure impress your guests. Or just treat yourself with this indulgent sweet treat for a moment of espresso bliss!
Be sure to try out my espresso shortbread cookies or my mini chocolate espresso Bundt cakes next.
💖Why we love Italian affogato:
- Quick and Easy: Just pour espresso over ice cream, and you're done!
- Versatile: Try it with different ice cream flavors, like vanilla gelato or mint chocolate chip.
- Perfect for Entertaining: A great way to end a dinner party on a high note with a classic Italian dessert.
- Indulgent and Refreshing: The combination of hot cream espresso and cold ice cream creates a satisfying treat.
- Customizable: Add whipped cream or chocolate chips for an extra touch of decadence.
What is affogato?
An affogato is possibly the quickest Italian sweet treat. It is vanilla gelato that is drowned (affogato) with hot espresso. It could be served as coffee, dessert, an after-dinner drink, or a quick treat. Make it with the best quality gelato and a very good quality espresso to have the best flavor.
🛒Ingredients in affogato:
- Espresso - Be sure to use a very good quality espresso. You need 1-2 shots. One shot of espresso is 1 ounce (30 ml). Since this is only made with two ingredients, make sure you use the best to get the best flavor. American coffee won't be the same for this dessert.
- Vanilla gelato or ice cream - If you're in Italy, this will always be made with Italian gelato, but you could use ice-cream in its place. Vanilla is the classic flavor, as it's the perfect pairing with the espresso. One large or two smaller scoops, with one to two shots of espresso.
- Liquor (optional) - Completely optional to add a little bit of liquor (½ a shot or a shot, depends on your mood), obviously, that would be only for adults! Some ideas would be amaretto, frangelico, grappa, sambuca. You could add whatever you would like with your espresso.
🍽️ How to make the best affogato?
Here is how to make this easy sweet coffee treat(the full recipe is below!):
These are the two ingredients you will need. It's that simple and that quick! Freshly brewed espresso and just scooped gelato.
It's put together in just two steps. Here's what you need to do:
- Step 1: Brew the espresso. I really like to use my moka to make the espresso. Use your appliance of choice. It's 30 ml/1 ounce for a single shot. You could use 1-2 shots.
- Step 2: Add 1-2 scoops of vanilla gelato in a glass. Obviously 2 scoops is better!
- Step 3: Pour over the hot coffee and marvel at how the espresso swirls around the melting gelato. Take a bite and enjoy! Sheer bliss!
Equipment you need to make this coffee over ice cream:
- Espresso maker: I make mine typically with my moka pot, but any pod espresso maker is fine! Make 2 shots, if you like it stronger.
- Ice-cream scoop: Just need to scoop out the gelato or ice-cream. You could even use a spoon.
- Glasses or bowls: You could serve it in small glasses or bowls, whatever you like best.
📃 NOTE: Recipe card with detailed instructions are below! Print it out for later!
What is an affogato corretto?
An espresso corretto is an espresso that is "corrected" with a shot of grappa in it. So you could experience an affogato either corrected or not corrected. An affogato corretto is an affogato with a shot of grappa in it.
What to serve with affogato ice cream?
If you are making a traditional affogato, it will be just the espresso, gelato, and a splash of liquor (if you want...just optional). You'll find in some restaurants that it is served with extras. Here are some ideas:
- Chocolate: shave or grate on some dark or white chocolate. Use whatever chocolate you like.
- Biscotti: there is nothing like an espresso with homemade biscotti. Go ahead and dunk one in! Or enjoy with an Italian Almond cookie.
- Crushed or chopped nuts: hazelnuts, pistachio or almonds would be perfect.
- Homemade whipped cream: it's so easy to whip cream or use your favorite store-bought brand. A scoop on top makes this extra decadent!
- Homemade caramel: a drizzle on top would be extra indulgent and delicious.
- Melted chocolate: same goes for melted chocolate. It just makes the affogato even more irresistible.
These are ideas I had. If you think of any other toppings, let me know in the comments and I will add to my list. 🙂
🫙 Leftover and Storing
Affogato is meant to be enjoyed immediately. Do not assemble it if you're not about to eat it.
📃 Substitutions & Variations for ice cream and coffee:
You will most likely not find any affogato variations in Italy. It will be served the traditional way, vanilla gelato with espresso and maybe corretto, with a bit of grappa. But these are some ways to change it up a little:
- Change the ratio: add two shots of espresso per scoop of gelato, or do two scoops of gelato to a shot of espresso.
- Use a different flavored ice cream: make your affogato with chocolate, mint chocolate chip, coffee ice cream, or stracciatella.
- Make it chocolatey: shave on some very good quality chocolate or drizzle on some chocolate syrup. You could also line the glass with melted chocolate and freeze it before adding in the gelato. Mini chocolate chips on top also is nice for the chocolate lovers.
- Add toppings: sprinkle on toasted hazelnuts, pistachio, whipped cream, crushed biscotti, or amaretti.
- Make it caramelly: to make it really decadent, drizzle on some homemade caramel sauce.
- Make it boozy: add a shot of amaretto, café liqueur, grappa, or Kalhua to make it boozy.
☑️ Lora's Tips for Italian coffee and ice cream dessert:
- Use Freshly Brewed Espresso:
- Brew the espresso just before serving for the best flavor and temperature contrast with the ice cream. If you brew ahead of time, it won't be hot enough.
- Choose High-Quality Ice Cream or Gelato:
- Opt for premium vanilla gelato or ice cream, as it will be the creamiest and with the best vanilla flavor. Make your own gelato if you have time!
- Serve Immediately:
- Pour the espresso over the ice cream right before serving to enjoy the perfect balance of hot and cold.
- Chill the Glass:
- To make it even more refreshing, chill your serving glasses in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before adding the ice cream.
- Experiment with Flavors:
- While vanilla is classic, try different ice cream flavors like chocolate chip or mint for a unique twist.
- Add a Splash of Liqueur:
- Enhance the flavor by adding a splash of liqueur like amaretto, Frangelico, or nocino to the espresso.
- Grate Chocolate on Top:
- Add a finishing touch by grating dark chocolate or adding a sprinkle of cocoa powder on top of the affogato.
- Use a Double Shot:
- For a stronger coffee flavor, use a double shot of espresso, especially if you're using a larger scoop of ice cream.
- Make it sweeter:
- It ends up being sweet enough when you mix the gelato with the espresso, but if you prefer a sweeter affogato, stir a bit of sugar or sweetener into the espresso before pouring it over the ice cream.
☑️ Home espresso makers to make coffee with vanilla ice cream:
- Automatic Espresso Machine and Frother - What we currently love. Just add in your espresso beans, and you'll get the most perfectly brewed shot. Froth up your milk to make an iced latte or a cappuccino. Really easy to use and has professional results. Makes a great gift, too!
- Stovetop Espresso - This is the most economical way and my favorite way to make espresso at home. It takes a little time, but it's a classic Italian method to make it in a moka (that's what they call it in Italy). You could grind your own beans for a more intense flavor, or buy the espresso already ground.
- Breville Barista Touch - If you like to grind your beans and make the foam for your cappuccino, this is a very nice machine. It makes a perfect espresso! You will enjoy this machine.
- Lavazza Single Serve- I like this machine for its ease with the pods, and it makes a great espresso. With adjustable height, you could make a strong short espresso or a longer American coffee.
❓ FAQ'S
How do you say affogato in English?
In English, "affogato" is pronounced as "ah-fuh-GAH-toe."
What is an affogato made of?
Affogato is a simple yet delicious Italian dessert made with a scoop of vanilla gelato or ice cream "drowned" in a shot of hot espresso.
Can I make it using decaffeinated coffee?
Yes, you can use decaffeinated coffee. If you are cutting back on caffeine, go ahead and brew your favorite decaf espresso and make this a decaf affogato.
Can I make a vegan affogato?
Gelato is typically made with a dairy milk. But you could make an affogato vegan using your favorite non-dairy ice-cream. There are some great vanilla non-dairy brands to try!
What's the best ice-cream to use?
A very high quality vanilla gelato is what is typically used, but use other flavor. You could use Nutella, pistachio, or even stracciatella.
What is the correct way to eat affogato?
Affogato is typically eaten with a spoon. You can enjoy the gelato as it melts into the hot espresso, creating a delicious blend of flavors and textures. Take some bites with a spoon, and go ahead and drink the rest, because it does melt quickly with the hot espresso.
What's the difference between affogato and ice cream?
Affogato is not just ice cream; it's a combination of gelato or ice cream and a shot of hot espresso, making it both a dessert and a coffee drink.
Is affogato eaten or drunk?
Affogato is both eaten and drunk. You eat the gelato with a spoon while sipping or slurping the espresso as it melts into the dessert.
What is affogato dessert?
Affogato is an Italian dessert made by pouring a shot of hot espresso over a scoop of gelato or ice cream, creating a sweet and creamy treat.
What is affogato ice cream?
Affogato ice cream refers to the dessert where vanilla gelato or ice cream is served with a shot of espresso poured over it, creating a hot and cold combination.
Is affogato sweet?
Yes, affogato is sweet, thanks to the gelato or ice cream, but the espresso adds a strong, slightly bitter flavor, balancing the sweetness.
Is affogato a drink or dessert?
Affogato is both a drink and a dessert. It combines the elements of a coffee drink with the richness of ice cream or gelato, making it a hybrid of both.
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Some other espresso recipes you'll love:
📖 Recipe
Italian Affogato (Coffee with Ice Cream Dessert)
Equipment
- 1 espresso maker
- 2 short glasses
Ingredients
- 2 scoops vanilla gelato or vanilla ice-cream
- 1 to 2 shots espresso freshly brewed
- ½ shot 1 tablespoon liqueur, optional*
Instructions
- Make the espresso either with pods or in a moka (one shot per person).
- Scoop out the 1-2 scoops of gelato into a short glass or a bowl.
- Pour one shot of espresso over the gelato.
- Add your shot of liqueur, if you're using.
- Dig a spoon in and enjoy immediately!
Nutrition Disclaimer
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information presented below is an approximation and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used.
Notes
- Make-ahead: You could prep ahead if making affogato for a dinner party, by scooping out the ice cream into glasses. Freeze ahead of time and serve when ready with the freshly brewed espresso.
- Glass: I like to use a short glass or bowl so it's easy to eat with your spoon.
- Gelato: Use the best quality vanilla gelato or vanillla ice-cream.
- Espresso (short black): Needs to be freshly brewed in hot so it melts the ice-cream when combined.
- Liquor or liqueur: Grappa, kahlua, sambuca, rum or Bailey's. Use what you know works with coffee!
- Enjoy as soon as it's ready: It's best to enjoy affogato as soon as you pour over the espresso, as the gelato melts fast.
Jenni says
This is my favorite dessert from when I was living in Florence in the summer of my last year of college. It's so easy to make and I probably had one every day!! It's delicious!!