An affogato is an Italian dessert made with two easy components: sizzling espresso and chilly gelato. It is the right simple, scrumptious deal with for a sizzling day!
Let’s make an affogato! This basic Italian dessert is a scrumptious marriage of two easy components: espresso and gelato or ice cream.
You barely want a recipe to make one (it’s as simple as pouring sizzling espresso over chilly ice cream). However as a result of I feel an affogato is the easiest way to get pleasure from espresso on a sizzling day, I couldn’t resist sharing this easy affogato recipe—my most popular ratios and variations included. I hope you’ll take it as an invite to get pleasure from this pleasant Italian deal with for the remainder of the summer season, no journey to Italy required!
What’s an affogato?
First, slightly background! The phrase drowned means “drowned” in Italian, which is a becoming title for this dessert. In spite of everything, to make an affogato, you primarily drown ice cream in espresso!
The important thing factor to notice about an affogato is that the espresso needs to be sizzling and the ice cream needs to be chilly. The espresso melts the ice cream right into a creamy foam, making a scrumptious interaction of temperatures and textures.
Although I think about an affogato a dessert, I’ve additionally seen it on many espresso menus at cafés in Italy. Be at liberty to get pleasure from one any time a craving strikes!
Find out how to Make an Affogato
This affogato recipe begins with two easy components:
- Espresso – Brew it utilizing an espresso machine or a stovetop moka pot. When you don’t have an espresso maker, you possibly can merely use robust brewed espresso.
- Ice cream or gelato – Milk cream gelato, which is basically milk-flavored, is the conventional alternative in Italy. At residence, my go-to is vanilla. Any good-quality store-bought vanilla gelato or ice cream will likely be nice right here, however this do-it-yourself ice cream takes an affogato to a different stage.
The ratio of espresso to ice cream you utilize is as much as you. I all the time use 1 shot of espresso and 1 or 2 scoops of ice cream relying on whether or not I’m within the temper for a sweeter or extra coffee-forward deal with.
To make an affogato, place the ice cream in a serving bowl or glass. Pour the recent espresso or robust brewed espresso on high, and serve instantly!
Discover the whole recipe with measurements beneath.
Find out how to Serve an Affogato
Make certain to serve an affogato immediately. The mixture of cold and hot components is a large a part of what makes one so scrumptious, so dig in whereas the ice cream remains to be considerably agency and the espresso nonetheless has some heat.
Small serving bowls or glasses are finest for this recipe in order that the combination swimming pools on the backside. You’ll probably begin by consuming with a spoon after which swap to consuming partway by.
Kick issues up a notch by pairing your affogato with biscotti. A crunchy cookie is the right accomplice for this creamy espresso dessert!
Variations
- Use a special ice cream taste. The sky’s the restrict! So many flavors can be wonderful right here. Strive chocolate ice creamespresso ice cream, caramel, cherry, or hazelnut.
- Add a liqueur. Make a boozy affogato by drizzling in a tablespoon of amaretto. When you like espresso martinis and have Kahlúa available, it might be good right here too.
- Costume it up. I like a dusting of cocoa powder or sprinkle of chocolate shavings on high.
- Make it decaf. If you wish to get pleasure from an affogato after dinner however don’t wish to load up on caffeine, be happy to make use of decaf espresso or espresso on this recipe.
Extra Simple Summer season Desserts
When you love this recipe, strive one among these simple summer season desserts subsequent:

Drowned
Serves 1
Learn to make an affogato! This Italian dessert is solely espresso poured over gelato or ice cream. If you do not have an espresso maker, be happy to make use of sizzling, robust brewed espresso as a substitute.
- 1 to 2 scoops vanilla ice cream or gelato
- 1 shot freshly brewed espresso, or 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) robust sizzling espresso
- Amaretto, non-compulsory
- Chocolate shavings, for garnish, non-compulsory
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Place the ice cream in a serving glass or bowl and pour the espresso on high. Add a splash of amaretto, if desired, and high with chocolate shavings, if utilizing.
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Serve instantly.