Affogato is a simple and sweet Italian coffee treat. It is so easy to make, but you will absolutely adore it.
Despite having the privilege of going to Italy twice, the first time I heard about affogato was in a food truck park in New Mexico. It was while I was visiting a friend and she said to me, “You’ve never heard of affogato?? We are getting one, you have to try it.” There are a lot of reasons I keep her in my life, and this is definitely one of them.
This delicious Italian dessert comes together with just two ingredients – gelato and espresso. And the great news is that if you don’t have an espresso maker, you can just brew some really strong coffee and you get the same taste. You will love this.
Affogato Ingredients
- Gelato: Traditionally, affogato coffee is made with vanilla gelato. If gelato isn’t available, high-quality vanilla ice cream is a perfectly fine substitute. Just look for one made with real cream for the richest flavor and texture.
- Espresso: If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can use strong brewed coffee.
- Amaretto: This sweet Italian liqueur adds a subtle almond flavor and a touch of sophistication. It’s totally optional, but takes your affogato to the next level.
Affogato Ratio
The perfect ratio for an affogato is 2 scoops of gelato to one shot of hot espresso. It’s the perfect balance of sweet creamy dessert to bitter espresso coffee.
Making Affogato without an Espresso Machine
If you don’t have an espresso maker, you can still enjoy this recipe. Simply brew some extra strong coffee and use that in place of the espresso. If you don’t want the caffeine of espresso or strong coffee, use a decaf option.
Affogato Variations
- Use a different flavor of gelato. Chocolate or hazelnut would be delicious!
- Use a different liqueur: Whiskey, Rum, Kahlua, Baileys, or Frangelico are great options.
- Add toppings: While this coffee dessert is perfect as is, feel free to add whipped cream, chocolate shavings, caramel sauce, or chocolate sauce.
- Pair it with biscotti: This fantastic Italian cookie is perfect for dipping!
If you make this affogato recipe or any of my other recipes, I’d love to hear how you enjoyed it! I love hearing from you and reading your comments.
Affogato
Ingredients
- 1 shot of hot espresso 2 ounces (see note)
- 2 scoops vanilla gelato
- 1 ounce amaretto optional
Instructions
- Add the gelato to a glass.
- Pour the hot espresso over the gelato. Add in the amaretto if desired.
Notes
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