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    Home » Desserts » Affogato Recipe – an Italian classic

    Affogato Recipe – an Italian classic

    Published: Sep 21, 2020 by Alexandra Cook

    For the full recipe including quantities and method, click the "jump to recipe" button, or scroll through and read our helpful tips along the way.

    1780 shares
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    pinterest image with photos of recipes top and bottom and text overlay in centre.

    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.

    glass with ice cream and coffee and liqueur being poured over, with some coffee beans and a spoon on edge and a coffee pot in the background.

    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:

    ingredients in this recipe on a white background.

    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:

    photo collage of two steps to make this recipe - the ice cream in glass with coffee being poured over and photo of the coffee and ice cream and a hand pouring in a shot of liqueur.
    1. 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.
    2. 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.

    What coffee is best to use?

    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.

    glass with ice cream and coffee being poured over, sitting on a napkin, with a shot of liqueur, a spoon and some coffee beans around the edge.

    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

    glass with ice cream and coffee and liqueur being poured over, with some coffee beans and a spoon on edge and a coffee pot in the background.

    Affogato Recipe

    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.
    4.99 from 76 votes
    Print Pin Review
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 1 person
    Calories: 411kcal
    Author: Alexandra Cook – It’s Not Complicated Recipes

    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

    Recipe Measurements:

    For accuracy, we recommend weighing your ingredients. This will produce the best results.

    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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

    1. Use the best quality ice cream you can buy, or try our delicious No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream.
    2. 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.
    3. I prefer to chill the ice cream glasses prior to serving to avoid the ice cream melting quickly when adding the coffee.
    4. Please note, the nutritional information is based on one serving. The nutritional information is an estimate only.

    Nutrition Estimate:

    Calories: 411kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 113mg | Potassium: 263mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 42g | Calcium: 169mg
    Tried this Recipe? Please rate and leave a comment!
    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.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kay

      October 19, 2020 at 11:57 pm

      5 stars
      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 🙂

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        October 21, 2020 at 9:52 am

        That is great to hear, Kay – thank you for letting me know!

        Reply
    2. sherry

      October 19, 2020 at 6:10 pm

      i always think frangelico is the best liqueur for this lovely dish!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        October 19, 2020 at 9:11 pm

        I agree completely, Sherry! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Tamara

      September 30, 2020 at 12:55 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious great! It’s so simple, yet so delicious. I’m glad I found this!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        November 06, 2020 at 10:31 am

        Thank you, Tamara!

        Reply
    4. Amy

      September 24, 2020 at 10:14 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        October 02, 2020 at 2:55 pm

        I am so glad you like this, Amy! It is definitely a favourite of mine also 🙂

        Reply
    5. Andréa Janssen

      September 23, 2020 at 6:31 pm

      5 stars
      One of my favorite Italian desserts. It’s so easy to prepare. Thank you for sharing the recipe, we loved it!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        November 05, 2020 at 5:19 pm

        Hi Andrea, thank you for your lovely comments regarding the Affogato Recipe. I agree with you, it is a great dessert. 🙂

        Reply
    6. Katherine | Love In My Oven

      September 22, 2020 at 12:43 pm

      5 stars
      So one of my favorite desserts, especially after a big feast of Italian! Delicious and simple!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        October 03, 2020 at 3:57 pm

        I feel exactly the same way!

        Reply
    7. David @ Spiced

      September 21, 2020 at 9:57 pm

      5 stars
      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. 🙂

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        November 05, 2020 at 5:26 pm

        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. 🙂

        Reply
    8. Barb

      August 11, 2020 at 4:15 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        August 19, 2020 at 6:30 pm

        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! 🙂

        Reply
    9. Crystal

      August 03, 2020 at 4:24 pm

      5 stars
      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! 🙂

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        August 12, 2020 at 5:55 pm

        Crystal, it has everything really; ice cream, coffee and a shot of Affogato. Dessert doesn’t come any more delicious than this. 🙂

        Reply
    10. Emily Flint

      July 28, 2020 at 12:38 am

      5 stars
      This dessert was so easy and delicious, it’s a crowd pleaser for sure!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        August 08, 2020 at 3:00 pm

        Hi Emily, I am delighted that you enjoyed the Affogato, thank you for letting me know. It really is a fabulous dessert. 🙂

        Reply
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    Hello!

    I’m Alex.

    I am a full-time blogger, passionate foodie and writer who loves to travel.

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