Affogato is a delightful Italian dessert that combines two main ingredients: gelato (or ice cream) and espresso.
Contents
Easy Affogato recipe
Affogato is an Italian dessert or drink where a shot of hot espresso is poured over a scoop of vanilla ice cream or gelato. This creates a delightful contrast of temperatures and flavors.
Its name means “drowned” in Italian, and that’s precisely what happens to the scoop of vanilla ice cream or gelato when it’s drenched in a shot of hot espresso.
The flavor balances the sweetness of gelato with the bold bitterness of espresso, creating a luscious blend of tastes and textures. It’s often compared to a coffee float or sundae but with a richer coffee intensity from the concentrated espresso.
Here is how to make Affogato:
Classic Affogato
Ingredients
- 1 scoop of high-quality vanilla ice cream or gelato or you can try sorbet
- 1 to 2 tbsp of instant coffee powder or instant espresso powder
- 30 ml water
Instructions
Making a hot shot of espresso
- Heat about 1 ounce (30 ml) of water. It's essential to have hot water for the best extraction.
- In a small cup, add the instant coffee. Pour the hot water over the coffee, and stir well until the coffee granules are completely dissolved.
Making Affogato
- Place a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or gelato into a serving dish or a heat-resistant glass.
- As soon as the shot of espresso is ready, pour it over the ice cream. The heat will begin to melt the ice cream, creating a delightful blend of hot and cold.
- Affogato is best enjoyed promptly after assembling to experience the contrast in temperatures and textures. The result should be a creamy, melty, and delicious dessert.
Nutrition
How to pair
Here are some popular dishes and items that can be served alongside or incorporated into affogato:
1. Traditional Accompaniments
- Biscotti or Italian cookies: Ideal for dipping, adding a delightful texture contrast.
- Amaretti Cookies: Complement the coffee and ice cream flavors.
- Cantuccini (almond biscuits)
2. Toppings:
- Crushed nuts
- Chocolate shavings
- A dash of cinnamon
- Salted caramel sauce
- Whipped cream
- Cocoa powder
- Grated chocolate
3. Common serving contexts
- As a dessert after meals
- Afternoon coffee break
- Brunch menu item
- Paired with other small desserts on a dessert platter
variations
You can create other Affogato variations based on this basic recipe.
1. Flavor Twists: Instead of vanilla ice cream, you can experiment with different ice cream flavors like chocolate, matcha, hazelnut, or salted caramel.
2. Alcoholic Infusions: For the adults, a splash of liqueur like amaretto, Baileys, or Kahlúa can turn your dessert into a sophisticated nightcap.
3. Frozen Affogato: Freeze your strong brewed coffee into ice cubes and then combine it with ice cream, gelato, or even granita.
4. Seasonal combination:
- Summer: Replace ice cream with a scoop of fruity sorbet
- Winter: Use a spiced or gingerbread-flavored ice cream.
- Fall: Pumpkin ice cream and dulce de leche.
