Delicious Affogato Recipe a Classic Italian Dessert

Indulge in the divine simplicity of Affogato, the classic Italian dessert where creamy vanilla gelato meets a jolt of hot espresso.

This unbelievably quick and elegant treat will not only satisfy your sweet cravings but also impress with its effortless charm; prepare to discover how to create this magic in minutes!

What Is Affogato?

I think the Affogato is the ultimate dessert hack—it's like the Italians knew we all secretly wanted coffee and ice cream together! Simply put, it's a scoop of vanilla gelato or ice cream "drowned" in a shot of hot espresso.

It's not just any dessert; it's kinda like dessert, coffee, and an after-dinner drink all in one! You'll find it's the genius Italians' fast and smart dessert, and you are gonna claim you are too full for dessert, then *bam* Affogato! The nuanced flavors can even be enhanced with the addition of savory elements, much like Dijon mustard usage in a glaze.

The basic version is just two ingredients. However, you can jazz it up with a splash of liquor, like Frangelico or Amaretto—trust me; it elevates the entire experience.

Make Your Own Affogato

Now that we've covered why Affogato is the dessert equivalent of a mic drop, let's get down to business: making your own! I promise, it's so easy it's almost ridiculous.

First, grab a glass – taller rather than wider, trust me on this. Then, scoop in either one large or two small scoops of vanilla gelato or ice cream. I usually go for gelato because… well, because Italy!

Next, you're gonna brew a shot—that's 30 ml or 1 oz—of hot espresso. Make sure it's strong! Nobody wants weak, sad coffee-ice cream soup. Finally, if you're feeling extra fancy (and I usually am!), add a tablespoon of Frangelico, Amaretto, or any other liquor you like with coffee. A similar sharp, bitter note can also be achieved with a sprinkle of orange zest.

Pour the hot espresso (plus liquor, if you're using it) over the ice cream. Watch the magic happen as the ice cream melts into swirls of caffeinated deliciousness. Dig in immediately – don't wait!

Variations and Serving Suggestions

Once you have nailed the basic affogato, get ready to remix this dessert like a DJ drops a beat! I've got some fun ideas to share.

First off, consider different ice cream flavors. While vanilla is classic, don't be shy—chocolate, hazelnut, or even salted caramel work wonders. Feel free to play around!

Next, think about toppings. A sprinkle of chocolate shavings—use a microplane for fancy points—or some chopped nuts can add a lovely crunch. Biscotti are great for dunking.

Now, for the fun part: booze! A tablespoon of Frangelico or Amaretto is lovely, but Kahlua or Bailey's are delicious too. Use what tastes good with coffee.

Finally, serving it right matters. I prefer a glass taller than wide—easier to dig into that melty goodness, I find!. And don't wait, dig in right away!

Short Recipe Version

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Cook Time: 1 minute

Servings: 1

Ingredients:

• 1 scoop vanilla gelato
• 2 shots hot espresso
• Optional: Chocolate shavings, Frangelico

Instructions:

1. Place gelato in a glass.
2. Pour hot espresso over gelato.
3. Optional: Garnish with chocolate shavings or Frangelico.
4. Serve immediately.