Coffee and ice cream are the perfect pairing for this decadent, after-dinner Italian dessert. Is Affogato a drink? Is it dessert? It’s both! (and it’s delicious).
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This is my ultimate favorite thing after dinner. In New Zealand restaurants (and probably other countries, I just don’t remember), an after-dinner coffee is a typical thing to offer guests.
Sometimes with booze involved, sometimes not. In this case, I use Kahlua, or sometimes a shot of my Homemade Amaretto but you don’t have to!
For whatever reason, coffee after dinner is not necessarily the done thing here in the US, but dessert definitely IS. Here, I combine the two – and call it good. Actually I call it a freaking delicious Affogato, but…. you get the picture.
With such a simple recipe, the ingredients are super important. The better quality ingredients, the better it will be!
No espresso machine? No problem! I like to use a french press for coffee, and freshly grind the beans right before I use them. I make it pretty strong – because traditionally you’re supposed to use a shot of hot espresso, which is strong.
This dessert is not too heavy – which is perfect if you’ve had a big meal just prior!
If you love this (and of course you do), you’ll also love my Bailey’s Chocolate Mousse and Kahlua Cheesecake
What is affogato?
It means “drowned” in Italian, and is a dessert eaten after dinner, sometimes with liquor added.
How do you eat affogato?
With a spoon, ideally – but if you leave it too long and it all melts, you’ll drink it up!
Is affogato hot or cold?
It’s both, really! But predominantly cold, since the ice cream melts the coffee and makes it all creamy and sweet.
What does affogato taste like?
A creamy, dreamy coffee milkshake, or coffee ice cream.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Easy to make. Seriously.
- Quick prep time. If you scoop the ice cream ahead and keep in the freezer, you can be making and eating this FAST! However long it takes you to brew coffee.
- Only 3 ingredients. 1 of them is optional!
Kylee’s Notes
- Like when cooking with wine, use a good quality scoop of vanilla gelato or ice cream.
- If you don’t have access to espresso, strong brewed coffee will work super well.
Change up this After Dinner Affogato:
- Add more booze. Enough said. (Baileys, Whiskey, Kahlua… all good choices)
- Change out the ice cream flavors – how about chocolate for a more mocha flavor?
- Play around with quantities. Like it creamier? More gelato! Like it stronger? More coffee!
Key Recipe Ingredients
Remember: this is just an overview and the why of the ingredients I choose here. The full list of ingredients and amounts is found in the printable recipe card below.
How to make Affogato:
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This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Want more easy dessert recipes? Of course you do!
- Mini Cheesecakes (with Berry Swirl)
- Cannoli Poke Cake from Persnickety Plates
- Zeppole di San Giuseppe from Christina’s Cucina
- Tiramisu – from Sally’s Baking Addiction
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Update: This recipe was originally published in February 2018. It was republished with an updated recipe and photos in August of 2020.
After Dinner Affogato
Ingredients
- 16 ounces vanilla ice cream
- 16 ounces fresh brewed strong coffee
- 6 ounces kahlua (or other liquor of your choice)
Directions
- Divide 16 ounces vanilla ice cream between 4 dessert glasses.
- Pour a shot (1.5 oz) over the top (if using)
- Pour hot coffee over the top of the gelato.
- Devour.
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Notes
Kylee’s Notes
- Like when cooking with wine, use a good quality scoop of vanilla gelato or ice cream.
- If you don’t have access to espresso, strong brewed coffee will work super well.
- Use chilled glasses to keep the ice cream from melting too fast (add scoops of ice cream and freeze the glasses ahead if you want to be clever)
Change up this After Dinner Affogato:
- Add more booze. Enough said. (Baileys, Whiskey, Kahlua… all good choices)
- Change out the ice cream flavors – how about chocolate for a more mocha flavor?
- Play around with quantities. Like it creamier? More gelato! Like it stronger? More coffee!
Nutrition Facts
Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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