If you are looking for a simple, easily prepared, crowd-pleasing dessert, look no further than this traditional Affogato Recipe. Known in Italian as Affogato al Caffe, which translates to “drowned coffee”, it is ice cream literally drowned by espresso coffee. It is a lesson in simplicity, providing maximum reward for minimum effort. As if it isn’t already a stunning dessert, you can take it to new heights by serving it with a shot of your favourite liqueur. Serve it alongside or pour it over the ice cream with the coffee. So good!
Why You'll Love This Recipe:
- This dessert is the perfect solution to the post-meal coffee or dessert dilemma. How clever of the Italians to combine the two! If you would like something to serve alongside, a biscotti or Chewy Amaretti Cookies are ideal.
- There are few desserts so simple and yet so deliciously satisfying as this Affogato al Caffe.
- It can hardly be called a “recipe”. It really is a suggestion of ingredients. Make it for one person as per the details in the recipe, or increase the amounts to suit the number you’re catering for.
- This Italian classic is a delicious dessert which combines two of life’s great pleasures. Enjoy throughout the day as a pick-me-up, or as dessert after dinner. It is also very elegant, always popular with guests, and worthy of a place at the smartest dinner party.
- You get the contrast of sweet and bitter and the enjoyable juxtaposition of hot coffee with cold ice cream.
- No culinary skills are required to produce this crowd-pleaser.
Recipe Inspiration: this dessert was a favourite of my father’s. He loved ice cream, he loved coffee, and he especially liked his Affogato with the addition of Frangelico, the delectable, Italian, hazelnut liqueur in the iconic brown glass bottle in the shape of a monk.
Ingredients and Substitutions:
Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.
- Vanilla bean ice cream/gelato – use the best quality store bought or try my No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream.
- Espresso coffee – this is a small shot of concentrated coffee made in an espresso machine or Moka pot and is traditional with Affogato. However, you can still make a delicious dessert by making very strong coffee in a French press or filter machine; but it must be strong!
- Liqueur of choice (optional) - we especially love Frangelico and Amaretto.
Variations:
Ice cream/gelato – you can vary the flavour to suit your taste. Chocolate would be delicious. This combination would produce a delicious mocha flavour. Hazelnut or fior di latte would be good also.
Liqueur – this is optional. Choose a favourite to serve alongside Affogato, pour over the ice cream or omit it.
How To Make an Affogato:
Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.
1 – Prepare your glass:
Place the desired amount of ice-cream/gelato in a chilled café latte glass or similar. Serve with a shot of hot espresso, which is then poured over the ice cream.
2 – Serve and enjoy:
If you wish, serve with a shot glass of your favourite liqueur. Drink separately or pour over with the coffee. Serve immediately and eat with a spoon.
Tips for Success, Storage and FAQs:
Espresso coffee is traditional and is preferred. Make the shot in an espresso machine or moka pot just as you are ready to pour it onto the ice cream/gelato. You don’t need to add sugar.
Gelato literally means “frozen” so it can apply to ice cream, sorbet or soft serve. But in Italy, it refers to Italian style ice cream.
If you are making these for a crowd, and you have sufficient freezer space, you can prepare the ice cream an hour or two ahead. Just add ice cream/gelato to suitable glasses and store in the freezer. When you are ready to serve, remove from the freezer and top with espresso when you are ready to serve.
Top Tip:
When ingredients are as few as this, it is essential that they be of good quality. Use a premium quality vanilla ice cream/gelato as this is the base of the dessert.
Serving Suggestions:
- This Affogato Recipe is a great pick-me-up for summertime. The ice cream/gelato cools you down whilst at the same time you enjoy your shot of hot espresso.
- However, it’s not just for summertime, it is so simple that you can enjoy it whenever the desire strikes. In the middle of winter, I know someone who enjoyed it by a wood fire.
- It is perfect for entertaining, taking just minutes to prepare, and a guaranteed crowd pleaser!
- You could also serve the Affogato with a little sweet treat, such as: Coffee Truffles, Cinnamon Sugar Pinwheels or Chilli Chocolate Clusters.
I encourage you to try this classic Italian dessert, Affogato. You could spend hours making something more elaborate, but I doubt it would be received as enthusiastically as this simple, delicious dessert.
Alex xx
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Affogato
Please note:
For accuracy, when weights are provided, we recommend weighing your ingredients. This will produce the best results. All oven temperatures listed are for fan forced.
Ingredients
- 2 scoops vanilla bean ice cream/gelato See Note 1
- 1 shot espresso coffee See Note 2
- 1 shot your favourite liqueur - optional - we love Frangelico or Amaretto
Instructions
- Place 1-2 scoops of ice-cream into a glass. (See Note 3)
- Pour a shot of hot espresso over the ice-cream.If using, pour over a shot glass of your favourite liqueur.Or if you prefer, serve each ingredient separately to your guests for them to add as preferred.
- Serve immediately and enjoy with a spoon.I like to serve Affogato with a few biscotti on the side for textural contrast.
Notes
- Ice cream: use the best quality store-bought ice cream, or try our delicious No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream.
- Espresso coffee: this is a small shot of concentrated coffee made in an espresso machine or Moka pot and is traditional with Affogato. However, you can still make a delicious dessert by making very strong coffee in a French press or filter machine; but it must be strong!
- Glasses: optional, but I like to chill the glasses prior to serving.
Nutrition Estimate:
Nutritional Disclaimer:
The nutritional information is an estimate only, and is derived from online calculators. For accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information based on the ingredients and brands you use.
This post was originally published in September 2020. It has been updated with more information and new photos. The recipe remains the same.
Peter says
Just made ginger ice cream when I came across this delightful recipe. Wow ! what a combination, so simple. I used Tia Maria as I had no Frangelico and I doubt I will find it here in Cyprus
Alexandra Cook says
Hello Peter,
I love the idea of using ginger ice cream - sounds so delicious!
Thanks so much for sharing, Alex xo
Kay says
Made this Affogato Recipe yesterday for me and my partner and we both loved it, never tried anything like this before but will definitely be making this again very soon
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Alexandra says
That is great to hear, Kay - thank you for letting me know!
sherry says
i always think frangelico is the best liqueur for this lovely dish!
Alexandra says
I agree completely, Sherry! 🙂
Tamara says
Absolutely delicious great! It’s so simple, yet so delicious. I’m glad I found this!
Alexandra says
Thank you, Tamara!
Sue says
Simple perfection!
Alexandra says
I'm so pleased that you like it Sue, thank you. 🙂
Sarah says
I LOVE everything about this!! So simple and 2 of my favorite things!!
Alexandra says
It's such a simple, delicious dessert. I am so glad you enjoy it!
Krysten says
YES. This is one of my favorite desserts and it's such a lovely combination. Thanks for sharing!
Alexandra says
How good is it Krysten? One of my favourites. 🙂
Lynnette says
This sounds like a great dessert drink to make for the holidays
Alexandra says
Thanks, Lynnette! Perfect for the festive season, I agree 🙂
Karletta says
So delicious. You’re very right about this being the perfect end to a meal ☀️
Alexandra says
Thank you so much, Karletta! Appreciate you stopping by, and glad you agree! 🙂
Teresa says
Oh how delicious!
Alexandra says
Thank you, Teresa!
soonjoo says
I tried my first affogato when I was in Italy. And it was so good that I wanted to learn how to make at home. I always forget to find the right recipe and you got me on this!
Alexandra says
Thanks so much! So glad to bring back a great memory from your trip 🙂
Aditya says
An all time favourite and a must for anyone who likes coffee and dessert! It is a must to have this. Everyone likes free ice-cream. SO WHOOOOOO. I love Ice cream, but not the season for me to enjoy this. 🙁 . But thank you for the recipe.
Alexandra says
Hello 🙂 Well, when the weather warms up for you - perhaps you can give this a try 🙂