Easy Affogato Recipe: How to Make a Homemade Affogato

Affogato al caffè, or affogato for short, is an Italian dessert consisting of a shot of espresso poured over a scoop of vanilla ice cream or gelato. The word “affogato” means “drowned” in Italian. When the hot espresso hits the cold ice cream, the dessert melts and forms a latte-like mix of espresso and cream. Provided you have an espresso machine, affogato is one of the easiest desserts to prepare.

Follow these steps to make this elegant dessert at home:

1. 1. Prepare your tools. Place a serving glass in the freezer and submerge an ice cream scoop in hot water.
2. 2. Make the coffee. Prepare one shot of espresso using an espresso machine or moka pot. (Alternatively, use strong brewed coffee.)
3. 3. Scoop the gelato. Use the hot ice cream scoop to spoon a generous scoop of fior di latte or vanilla gelato into the chilled glass.
4. 4. Pour the espresso. Pour the shot of hot espresso over the gelato and enjoy immediately.

Once you've mastered the traditional affogato, try these variations:

1. 1. Affogato con liquore: In Italy, gelato affogato con liquore (drowned gelato with liqueur) is a popular dessert. It traditionally features liqueur such as amaretto or crème de menthe in place of coffee. Still, you can also make it with a mix of coffee and liqueur, like Frangelico or Kahlua.
2. 2. Nutty affogato: Garnish your affogato with toasted, crushed hazelnuts or almonds for texture and flavor.
3. 3. Affogato with cookies: Tuck biscotti into the side of your affogato or crumble amaretti cookies on top for a sweet crunch. Add ladyfingers to bring the flavor of tiramisu to your affogato.
4. 4. Mocha affogato: If you love the combination of coffee and chocolate, try making your affogato with chocolate gelato, or garnish your affogato with dark chocolate shavings.

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