Affogato Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Cheese

by: Amanda Hesser

May6,2011

4

1 Ratings

  • Serves 4

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Author Notes

I grew up eating a bastard version of affogato, the Italian dessert that cleverly melds gelato and espresso. At night, I'd pour the leftover coffee from my parent's drip coffee maker over my ice cream. I liked the coffee-flavored ice shell that formed on the ice cream and the puddle of coffee milk in the bottom of the bowl. This caffeinated treat may also explain why, as a child, I was often up with my father watching ice hockey on TV late into the night.

Proper affogato has much more going for it. The mix of hot and cold, the bitter and sweet, and, of course, the fluffy cream cap that pools beneath the gelato.

This is the dessert that you want in your back pocket, ready for guests at a moment's notice. Keep a good stock of ice cream (a good life rule, generally), and I'm sure you have espresso or strong coffee around. If not, let's not discuss it. And spoons. Yes, you'll need spoons! —Amanda Hesser

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 1 pint vanilla gelato or ice cream (the good stuff!)
  • 4 long shots espresso
Directions
  1. Scoop the ice cream into 4 bowls. Pour a shot of espresso over each mound of ice cream. Serve quickly!

Tags:

  • Ice Cream/Frozen Desserts
  • Italian
  • Cheese
  • Dessert

Recipe by: Amanda Hesser

Before starting Food52 with Merrill, I was a food writer and editor at the New York Times. I've written several books, including "Cooking for Mr. Latte" and "The Essential New York Times Cookbook." I played myself in "Julie & Julia" -- hope you didn't blink, or you may have missed the scene! I live in Brooklyn with my husband, Tad, and twins, Walker and Addison.

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17 Reviews

eartoday March 27, 2017

We always add some shaved dark chocolate and a few chopped nuts to the affrogato - it's a great dessert for a dinner party too. DIY affrogato bar with everything set out....

eartoday March 27, 2017

We always add some shaved dark chocolate and a few chopped nuts to the affrogato - it's a great dessert for a dinner party too. DIY affrogato bar with everything set out....

Dina M. June 27, 2013

i like to cut paper straws in half and stick them in the cup(or bowl)--that way you can drink all the delicious resultant latte that remains after you've finished the gelato.

bjones70 April 30, 2013

Where did you find that little white marble container where the coffee is being poured from? thx

Amanda H. May 2, 2013

Hi there -- it's from ABC Home and I believe it's ceramic. It's a handy little pitcher!

bjones70 May 3, 2013

Thanks, Amanda. Couldn't located the pitcher on ABC's web site. I live near ABC in Flatiron and would love to see if they have it in the store. Would you happen to know the name of the brand or the name of the manufacturer? Many thanks!

Amanda H. May 3, 2013

I don't know it off-hand, but could look tonight. Let me know if you need me to do this and I'll follow-up.

bjones70 May 3, 2013

If it's not too much of an inconvenience, I would appreciate that. Thanks again!

Amanda H. May 5, 2013

The pitcher is made by Pordamsa in Spain.

bjones70 May 6, 2013

Amanda -- thanks so much! Cheers, Ben

Linn May 3, 2012

My first Affogato was a restaurant in Woodstock a couple years. That version was spiked with Amaretto and I highly recommend the addition. Gotta say one of the best endings to a meal out there! At that time I scoured the internet for some background and came up with very little. Thank you Amanda sharing your version and your story.

Amanda H. May 3, 2012

Thanks!

culture_connoisseur January 8, 2012

Delicious! I had this years ago at a little coffee shop in Pacific Beach, California. Will make it this weekend. Thanks for sharing!

Amanda H. January 8, 2012

It's a great little treat -- thanks for your comment!

Amanda H. January 8, 2012

It's a great little treat -- thanks for your comment.

FoodHabit July 14, 2011

We like to add skinny curls of a good dark chocolate on top, or fat curls, if you like. You can shave a little on, if you prefer. Really dark chocolate, vanilla ice cream and espresso -- Yum!

Victoria C. May 9, 2011

I love this dessert. If I'm not making my own ice cream, I like Haagan Daz Five Vanilla because it's a lot like gelato since it isn't as creamy as regular Haagan Daz Vanilla.

Affogato  Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

What is the content of affogato? ›

Ingredients in Affogato

All you need for affogato is a shot of hot espresso (coffee), ice cream or gelato and optional half a shot of liquor (Frangelico, amaretto, rum).

When should I order affogato? ›

Affogato is an Italian coffee dessert that will delight any sweet tooth and is a perfect after-dinner indulgence.

What is the meaning of affogato dessert? ›

Affogato translates to "drowned" in Italian and is one of the simplest desserts you can create. It's a big scoop of vanilla ice cream with a hot espresso shot poured over it. When the affogato is ready to serve, the ice cream looks as if it has drowned in the coffee.

What is the best ice cream flavor for affogato? ›

A close contender as the absolute best vanilla ice cream for affogato is Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Bean. With its rich sweetness and velvety texture, Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Bean beautifully complements and balances expresso shots.

What is a substitute for affogato? ›

For a caffeine-free affogato alternative, simply steep a concentrate of our Organic Chaga Chicory and while it is still warm pour over the gelato, creating a delicious treat to savor at any time of day.

Does Starbucks have an affogato? ›

Scoop into a Caramel Mocha Drizzle Affogato, delight in a unique Whiskey Barrel-Aged Malt, or sample three different affogatos with the Roastery Affogato Flight. Both affogatos and malts can be customized with oatmilk based gelato.

What's the difference between gelato and affogato? ›

The affogato is an Italiano creation that translates to “drowned.” An affogato is essentially one to two scoops of vanilla gelato or ice cream doused by a shot of fresh espresso. This marriage of sweet ice cream and bitter coffee mingle, melting into a puddle of goodness.

How do I order an affogato? ›

Add a shot of espresso to your frappuccino

It is, indeed, the perfect base for an affogato. All you need to do to turn your frap into an Italian-style, drinkable dessert? Request a shot of espresso to be poured over the top.

How do Italians eat affogato? ›

Ideally, coffee is poured on top of the ice cream before serving. Many prefer to use the spoon, while some slowly sip the concoction instead. Whichever method you use, ensure that you eat it before it melts. In Italy, the Affogato is typically served after lunch or dinner.

Who invented affogato? ›

The affogato's origin story is suspect. According to Porte, we may owe credit to the 17th-century Franciscan friar Angelico (the same cleric who brought us the hazelnut-based Frangelico liqueur), but more likely, the affogato appeared in Italy sometime in the 1950s when the ice cream industry modernized.

Are you supposed to eat or drink an affogato? ›

As for how to eat it, an affogato is best enjoyed with a spoon before sipping back the remaining espresso. Here's how to make a really great affogato at home. Read reviews!

What are the characteristics of affogato? ›

An affogato (/ˌɑːfəˈɡɑːtoʊ, ˌæf-/), more traditionally known as "affogato al caffè" (Italian for "drowned in coffee"), is an Italian coffee-based dessert. It usually takes the form of a scoop of plain milk-flavored (fior di latte) or vanilla gelato or ice cream topped or "drowned" with a shot of hot espresso.

How much caffeine does affogato have? ›

All of the caffeine content in a serving of affogato comes from the espresso or brewed coffee poured on top. So, it contains roughly the same amount of caffeine you'd find in an espresso drink. This will vary based on the coffee you use but expect between 65 to 85 milligrams of caffeine per dessert.

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