If you are looking for a simple, easily prepared, delicious dessert look no further than this traditional Affogato Recipe. It is a lesson in simplicity which provides maximum reward for minimum effort. No culinary skills are required to produce this crowd-pleaser.
Why we love this recipe:
There are few things that are so simple and yet so deliciously satisfying as this dessert and everyone loves it.
This lesson in simplicity provides a maximum reward for minimum effort and is the perfect solution to the post-meal coffee or dessert dilemma. How clever of the Italians to combine the two!
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.
I also like to serve a shot of Frangelico with the ice cream. The nut flavours of Frangelico work extremely well with the ice cream and coffee.
Ingredients in this recipe:
Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.
This simple Affogato Recipe requires just three ingredients:
- Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
- Espresso Coffee
- Liqueur of choice (optional)
Step by Step Instructions:
- Place the desired amount of ice-cream/gelato in a chilled café latte glass or similar. Then, pour a shot of hot espresso over the ice-cream.
- If using, pour over a shot glass of your favourite liqueur. Serve immediately and eat with a spoon.
Tips for Success and FAQs:
When ingredients are as few as this, it is essential that they be of good quality. Use a premium quality ice cream/gelato as this is the base of the dessert.
I prefer to chill the ice cream glasses prior to serving to avoid the ice cream melting quickly when adding the coffee.
If you are making these for a crowd, you can prepare the ice cream an hour or two ahead. Just add ice cream/gelato to suitable glasses and store in the freezer. Top with espresso when you are ready to serve.
Although optional, you may like to serve it with a shot of your favourite liqueur.
Espresso coffee is traditional and is preferred. Make the shot just as you are ready to pour it onto the ice cream/gelato. Eat immediately with a spoon.
More delicious recipes for you to try:
Our Affogato Recipe is delicious served with our No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream.
For a little sweet to enjoy on the side, you could also serve the Affogato with one of these treats:
- Almond Cookies
- Chilli Chocolate Clusters
- Chocolate Almond Cookies
- Chocolate Orange Bliss Balls
- Chewy Amaretti Cookies
- Cinnamon Sugar Puff Pastry Pinwheels
- Peanut Butter Cookies
- Pecan Puffs
- Toffee Crisps
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
Affogato Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 scoops vanilla bean ice cream/gelato See Note 1
- 1 shot espresso coffee (or very strong plunger coffee) See Note 2
- 1 shot your favourite liqueur – optional
Instructions
- Place the desired amount of ice-cream in a chilled café latte glass or similar. – 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 eat with a spoon.I like to serve Affogato with a few biscuits on the side for textural contrast.
Notes
- Use the best quality ice cream you can buy, or try our delicious No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream.
- Espresso is traditional and is preferred. However, you could try plunger coffee, also known as French press coffee. Don’t use instant coffee, it doesn’t have sufficient strength.
- I prefer to chill the ice cream glasses prior to serving to avoid the ice cream melting quickly when adding the coffee.
- Please note, the nutritional information is based on one serving. The nutritional information is an estimate only.
Nutrition
I made this after a weekend brunch with my husband and it was the perfect dessert and afternoon pick me up! We loved the combination of creamy, cold ice cream with that hot shot of espresso! Finally, we found a good use for our espresso machine. Thank you!
Hi Emelia, I am delighted to hear that you and your husband enjoyed our Affogato Recipe. It really is a great pick me up and I am thrilled that you are now enjoying your espresso machine. 🙂 🙂
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 🙂
That is great to hear, Kay – thank you for letting me know!
i always think frangelico is the best liqueur for this lovely dish!
I agree completely, Sherry! 🙂
Absolutely delicious great! It’s so simple, yet so delicious. I’m glad I found this!
Thank you, Tamara!
Oh my….. this looks absolutely stunning and I can’t believe how easy it is! Well, it’s around 9am at the moment so I’ll have one without the liquer and then have another one with LOTS of liquer after dinner! Actually it’s such a fab thing to serve up when we have friends over too!
I am so glad you like this, Amy! It is definitely a favourite of mine also 🙂
One of my favorite Italian desserts. It’s so easy to prepare. Thank you for sharing the recipe, we loved it!
Hi Andrea, thank you for your lovely comments regarding the Affogato Recipe. I agree with you, it is a great dessert. 🙂
So one of my favorite desserts, especially after a big feast of Italian! Delicious and simple!
I feel exactly the same way!
I absolutely love affogato! Talk about the perfect way to end a meal. Now I’m craving a good espresso…after all, it is still morning over here. 🙂
Hi David, I agree, Affogato is a great way to end a meal – coffee and dessert all in one! And a good espresso – there’s no better way to start the day. 🙂
My husband isn’t the best cook but he knows how to use an espresso machine so I asked him to make this for me. It was the perfect ending to our lunch and the best caffeine boost! This will be a regular weekend treat for us!
Barb, I’d forgive your husband for not being a very good cook – as long as he can use an espresso machine. 🙂 I am so pleased that you loved the Affogato; it is a favourite of mine. Enjoy! 🙂
This is my favorite way to enjoy a caffeine boost during the summer! Beats the heat and I get my coffee fix! We started to make this regularly during the weekends! 🙂
Crystal, it has everything really; ice cream, coffee and a shot of Affogato. Dessert doesn’t come any more delicious than this. 🙂