Affogato
Affogato sits between coffee and dessert: hot espresso melts the edge of cold vanilla ice cream into a bittersweet sauce. There is no blender and no need for extra syrup.
Non-alcoholicMake it like a pro.
- 01
Scoop the vanilla ice cream into a chilled small dessert glass.
- 02
Brew two espresso shots directly before serving.
- 03
Pour the hot espresso over the ice cream at the table and eat immediately with a spoon.
Tools for This Recipe
Helpful equipment for making this recipe at home.
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Easy swaps
- Use a labeled dairy-free vanilla frozen dessert if needed, then recalculate from its package because fat and sugar differ.
- One espresso shot gives a sweeter, less coffee-heavy dessert.
Mixpert tips
- Keep the serving glass chilled so the ice cream does not vanish before the espresso arrives.
- Serve immediately; the contrast between hot coffee and cold ice cream is the point.
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Affogato FAQs
Can I use gelato instead of vanilla ice cream?
Yes. A scoop of vanilla gelato will make a softer, denser dessert beneath the hot espresso, depending on the product. Serve immediately so the hot-cold contrast remains. Check the gelato label if you need nutrition, since the displayed values are for the listed ice cream.
Is affogato a drink or dessert?
Both descriptions fit. The ice cream melts into the espresso, and most people eat it with a spoon.
Can I make affogato ahead?
Prepare the scoop and chill the glass, but brew and pour the espresso only when serving.