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
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
Hello Peter,
I love the idea of using ginger ice cream – sounds so delicious!
Thanks so much for sharing, Alex xo
Katy
This has been our go-to dessert for the past week. We use decaf espresso beans and brew a double shot for my husband and me to share this affogato. It’s been such a treat with our favorite salted caramel ice cream. Thank you Alex!
Alexandra
Hi Katy, I am delighted to hear that you and your husband have enjoyed the Affogato recipe. It sounds delicious served with salted caramel ice cream! 🙂
Emilia
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!
Alexandra
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. 🙂 🙂