Affogato is a simple yet indulgent Italian dessert that combines two of the best things in life: espresso and gelato (or ice cream). This delightful treat is incredibly easy to make and is perfect for satisfying a sweet craving or wrapping up a meal. The hot espresso poured over the creamy, cold gelato creates a beautiful contrast of temperatures and flavors, resulting in a deliciously smooth, rich dessert.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Affogato is the ultimate combination of bold coffee flavor and rich, creamy gelato. The hot espresso melts the gelato just enough to create a luxurious, coffee-flavored sauce that blends perfectly with the sweetness of the gelato. Whether you’re a coffee lover or simply looking for a quick and satisfying dessert, this treat is sure to hit the spot. It’s simple, elegant, and can be customized with different gelato or ice cream flavors to suit your taste.
Ingredients
- 1 scoop vanilla gelato, caramel gelato, or ice cream
- 1 shot hot espresso
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Scoop the gelato: Add a generous scoop of your favorite gelato (vanilla, caramel, or ice cream) into a small cup or mug.
- Brew the espresso: Brew a shot of your favorite Italian espresso, making sure it’s hot and freshly made.
- Pour and enjoy: Pour the hot espresso directly over the scoop of gelato. Watch as the espresso melts the gelato slightly, creating a luscious mixture.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the delicious contrast of hot and cold!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 1
- Prep time: 1 minute
- Total time: 1 minute
Variations
- Flavored gelato: Experiment with different flavors of gelato or ice cream such as chocolate, hazelnut, or coffee-flavored gelato for a unique twist.
- Sweeten it up: Add a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce over the top for extra sweetness and richness.
- Add toppings: For a bit of crunch, top your affogato with chopped nuts, chocolate shavings, or even a few biscotti on the side.
- Non-dairy version: Use dairy-free gelato or sorbet and a non-dairy espresso to make a vegan-friendly affogato.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Since affogato is best enjoyed immediately, it’s not something you can store. However, you can keep the gelato and espresso separately until you’re ready to make the dessert.
- Reheating: If you want to make another affogato, simply rebrew a fresh shot of espresso. The dessert itself is best served fresh!
FAQs
Can I use regular ice cream instead of gelato?
Yes, regular ice cream works just as well in an affogato! Gelato has a creamier, denser texture, but any ice cream flavor will still make for a delicious treat.
Can I make affogato without espresso?
While espresso is traditional, you can use strong brewed coffee as a substitute for espresso. The flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious.
Is affogato served hot or cold?
Affogato is served with the contrast of hot espresso poured over the cold gelato or ice cream, so it’s a mix of both temperatures.
How can I make this dessert more decadent?
To make it richer, you can drizzle some chocolate or caramel sauce over the top, or even add a shot of liqueur like amaretto or Baileys for an extra indulgence.
Can I use decaffeinated espresso?
Absolutely! If you prefer decaffeinated espresso, it works perfectly in this recipe, giving you the same rich flavor without the caffeine.
Conclusion
Affogato is a simple yet luxurious dessert that combines the boldness of espresso with the creaminess of gelato or ice cream. With just two ingredients, it’s an easy, indulgent treat that can be customized to suit your tastes. Whether you’re having it after a meal or just as a quick pick-me-up, this Italian classic is a surefire way to satisfy your sweet tooth.
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Affogato Recipe
- Total Time: 1 minute
- Yield: 1 serving
Description
An indulgent Italian dessert combining espresso and gelato (or ice cream). The hot espresso poured over the creamy gelato creates a beautiful contrast of temperatures and flavors, making it the perfect treat for coffee lovers and dessert enthusiasts alike.
Ingredients
1 scoop vanilla gelato, caramel gelato, or ice cream
1 shot hot espresso
Instructions
- Add a generous scoop of your favorite gelato (vanilla, caramel, or ice cream) into a small cup or mug.
- Brew a shot of your favorite Italian espresso, ensuring it’s hot and freshly made.
- Pour the hot espresso directly over the scoop of gelato. Watch as the espresso melts the gelato slightly, creating a luscious mixture.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the delicious contrast of hot and cold!
Notes
- Flavored gelato: Experiment with different flavors like chocolate, hazelnut, or coffee-flavored gelato.
- Sweeten it up: Add a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce for extra sweetness.
- Add toppings: Top with chopped nuts, chocolate shavings, or serve with biscotti.
- Non-dairy version: Use dairy-free gelato or sorbet for a vegan-friendly affogato.
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Cook Time: undefined
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Brew, Serve
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 15 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
