Affogato al Cafe
Affogato al Cafe (Affogato Shot) – Once you taste Affogato al Cafe, you will most certainly feel a buckle in your knees, and pull out your best faux Italian accent while muttering aff-o-gaaaato, gel-aaaa-to, es-preeeeess-o… Merda Santa! (Holy Crud!)
Affogato Recipe
Such a simple treat to cause a dramatic response; that is the Italian way.
You may have heard the old story about Julia Child snubbing Italian food because she didn’t believe it was real cooking. Well, no disrespect to Julia but, the simplicity of most Italian dishes is what draws me to them.
Italian food, as a whole, is about celebrating the ingredients, not the chef.
In theory, a tomato-based dish should uphold the integrity of the tomato, straight off the vine. Not muck it up with dozens of other flavors. Italians honor their food by preparing simple meals.
In making this Italian dessert, I did get a tad “stravagante”… Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. I combined the gelato and espresso with a nip of Kahlua (mocha liquor) and dark chocolate shavings. Shameful. *wink*
Such a simple yet “stravagante” treat can: save a dinner party, spur on a love connection, mend a broken heart, keep you up at night to finish a project, or get you in trouble. Be careful with this one. Affogato al Cafe is POWERFUL.
What Ingredients You Will Need
Affogato al Cafe, meaning “drowned in coffee”, is a sweet little treat that packs a punch! It’s an adult ice cream float, of sorts.
The two crucial ingredients are
- Vanilla Gelato
- Espresso
But all the ingredients used to make this recipe are
- Few Scoops of Vanilla Gelato – or the GOOD ice cream
- Espresso – just a few ounces of your favorite hot espresso
- Kahlua liqueur
- Dark Chocolate Shavings
All other variations with espresso beans, chocolate, or amaretto are considered Strav-a-gan-te! (extravagant)
How To Make The Best Affogato Gelato
Grab your favorite glassware and your ingredients.
Place two large scoops of vanilla gelato in a glass.
Make a shot of espresso with your espresso machine. (You can make it ahead and allow it to cool to room temperature if you like.)
Pour the one shot of espresso and half a shot of Kahlua liqueur over the gelato.
Use a veggie peeler to shave chocolate curls over the top.
Perfetto! You have made a perfect Italian dessert.
Get the Complete (Printable) Affogato Gelato Recipe (Affogato Shot) Below. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Toppings Can I Add Other Than Chocolate Shavings?
Other toppings that would make a fabulous garnish for this recipe include biscotti, pistachios, hazelnuts, almonds, chocolate sauce, and caramel sauce.
Is Affogato Gluten-Free?
Most gelatos tend to be gluten-free, so yes, this recipe is as well.
What Is The Difference Between Espresso and an Affogato coffee?
These are both coffee-based beverages from Italy, but they are in fact not the same. Espresso is a strong brewed coffee drink made by forcing hot water through ground coffee beans under pressure. Affogato is an Italian dessert made by mixing espresso with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or gelato. So what’s the difference? Gelato!
Other Favorite Italian Treats:
- Best Easy Tiramisu Recipe
- Classic Affogato Cake Recipe
- The Ultimate Chocolate Budding Recipe
- Tasty Tiramisu Cookies Recipe
- Italian Butterscotch Pudding Recipe (Budino)
- Creamy Tiramisu Pops (Popsicle Recipe)
- Panforte ~ Joy of Baking
- La Tavola Della Mia Famiglia ~ Sticky Gooey Creamy Chewy
Affogato Al Cafe Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 scoops vanilla gelato or GOOD ice cream
- 1 ounce espresso
- 1/2 ounce Kahlua
- 1 teaspoon dark chocolate shavings
Instructions
- Place two large scoops of vanilla gelato in a glass.
- Pour one shot of espresso and half a shot of Kahlua over the gelato.
- Use a veggie peeler to shave chocolate curls over the top. Perfetto!
If I order one now will it be ready by the time I get there? YUM!
It’s all my favorite things – ice cream, espresso and kahlua! Yum!
Swoon is right! That sounds amazing! We’re both slightly addicted to coffee…so anything that’s ‘drowned in it’ is fully supported by us :)
Beautiful!
“Drowned in coffee.” What a perfect name.
That’s the one thing missing from the American foodie movement: visually descriptive names. We need something like, well, off the top of my head, Summer Sidewalk Sizzling Fajitas. Or Baby’s Bottom Banana Bread. Okay, I’ll work on those, but you get the idea.
Hawaiians come close. I love the expression “broke da mouth.” Or huli huli chicken — “huli” meaning flipped, so chicken that’s flipped twice.
Wish I could slurp up those photos…I love that stuff! I drown myself in it!
I don’t even know what to say! That looks wonderful!
Yum – beautiful photos!!
you got me at Kahlua!! always feel it lends a beautiful flavor to many recipes I’ve added it to – Coffe looks like a decadent desert :))
Nice use of Kahlua. It was Nigella Lawson that first got me hooked on this double whammy uber treat (caffeine AND sugar…zing). Your photos look magnificent!
So simple and delicious! Your pictures are so enticing!
Delicious :)
Goodness but that looks incredible! Pictures are terrific!
Genius idea to add kahula! ;) You reminded me how much I adore affogato… And just loving your photos – especially the second one!
That’s why I love Italian cooking as well, it’s unfussy but so full of flavor. I used to be obsessed with affogato’s when I was younger, my friend worked at a cafe where they had the best ones. I haven’t had one in such a long time but you’ve brought back the craving. :-)
Gelato..espresso..chocolate…Mmmm..what more could I ask for in a heavenly indulgence! Lovely clicks, Sommer.
You had me at Mocha. :) Affogato…..oh yes please. Love this post and will be making pronto! Well not tonight, but for sure manana.
Great post!
Heather :)
ok, I obviously didn’t read this all the way and fabricated the “mocha” word based on the pictures. lol. No matter what, it looks fab and I’m makin it!
Sounds wonderful…. gelato with espresso all over it and chocolate and liquor. What else does one need for dessert.