For an indulgent summer dessert that requires very little preparation, try the Italian favorite, Affogato. Meaning “to drown” in Italian, this delicious treat is made by simply pouring a scoop or two of gelato over freshly brewed, hot espresso. The result? A spoonable, espresso-flavored gelato and creamy coffee in one. If you’re a tiramisu lover or iced coffee lover, this dessert is for you. Serve Affogato with crumbled biscotti or crispy wafer rolls for the easiest no-bake dessert ever.
What is an affogato made from?
Since an affogato is made with just gelato and espresso (plus optional toppings), it’s important to use high-quality ingredients! After all, teeth It’s a treat. Below we’ll go into more detail about each ingredient in this frozen dessert.
Vanilla gelato or ice cream: Affogato is often made with vanilla gelato. If your grocery store doesn’t carry gelato, you can substitute a high-quality vanilla bean ice cream. Or, take it up a notch and make your own vanilla bean ice cream. Other gelato and ice cream flavors like chocolate, caramel, and chocolate chip also work well with this dessert.
espresso: An affogato isn’t complete without a shot of hot espresso. If you don’t have an espresso machine at home, you can achieve a similar effect by brewing a very strong cup of coffee, but make sure the coffee is fresh and piping hot.
Optional liqueur: Since this dessert can also be enjoyed as an after-meal drink, a splash of liqueur is often added: almond- or hazelnut-flavored liqueurs complement the espresso’s nutty, fruity and toasty notes. Spiced rum, coffee liqueur or orange liqueur also go well with affogato.
Optional extra features: A traditional affogato is made with just gelato and espresso, but adding toppings can make this simple dessert even more delicious. Restaurants often offer a variety of toppings, and you can do the same at home. Try garnishing your affogato with shaved chocolate, chopped toasted pistachios, biscotti, or rolled wafers.
