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!)
Why We Love This Affogato Recipe
Such a simple treat to cause a dramatic response; that is the Italian way. Affogato al Cafe, meaning “drowned in coffee”, is a sweet and slightly alcoholic little treat that packs a punch! It’s an adult ice cream float, of sorts.
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.
Ingredients You Need
- Few Scoops of Vanilla Gelato – or the GOOD vanilla ice cream
- Espresso – just a few ounces of your favorite hot espresso
- Kahlua liqueur – or other coffee-flavored liqueur
- Dark Chocolate Shavings – optional, but highly recommended
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, ’cause this easy recipe goes fast!
Make a shot of espresso with your espresso machine. You can do this right before scooping the ice cream, or make it ahead and allow it to cool to room temperature if you like.
When ready to serve, place two large scoops of vanilla gelato in a glass. Then 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 for an extra fancy and tasty touch.
Perfetto – You have made a perfect Italian dessert!
Get the Complete (Printable!) Affogato Gelato Shot Recipe Below. Enjoy!
Recipe Variations
- Gelato or ice cream – Vanilla is a traditional choice, but feel free to use whatever flavor of ice cream you want! Try this Affogato recipe with coffee or mocha, chocolate, hazelnut, or pistachio gelato.
- Decaf Affogato – Brew up some decaf espresso for a treat without nearly as much caffeine… There is still a small amount in decaf, but only a slight fraction of full-strength espresso.
- Without alcohol – You can skip the Kahlua for a non-alcoholic gelato dessert.
- Vegan – Make this a dairy-free recipe by using your fave plant-based coconut milk “nice” cream and chocolate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Other toppings that would make a fabulous garnish for this recipe include biscotti, pistachios, hazelnuts, almonds, chocolate sauce, and caramel sauce.
Most gelatos tend to be gluten-free, so yes, this recipe is as well.
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! (Or ice cream!)
Looking for More Classic Italian Treats? Be Sure to Also Try:
- 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
Get the Complete (Printable!) Affogato Gelato Shot Recipe Below. Enjoy!
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!
Loved this.
hubby doesn’t like coffee, but loves Kahlua (go figure). will make this w/just the Kahlua and know he will love it!
hubby doesn’t like coffee, but loves Kahlua (go figure), so will make this w/just the Kahlua. think he will love it!
Wow – what a dessert. Espresso and gelato together sounds like a perfect combination. Great photos too!
Nice site, and your cafe affogato looks delicious! I’ve never had one with Kahlua. Will have to try that.
One little note – Merda Santa! (Holy Crud!) isn’t quite correct. The saying is santa merda, and it means “holy sh*t”. Merda is not a very pleasant word, just like sh*t….
First time here and nice place with yummy recipes. This post looks so awesome..
My husband and I discovered Affogato al Café when it was described in a recent issue of Bon Appétit magazine, and ever since, we have been OBSESSED! We are not big sweets people, and we rarely eat dessert, but ever since we discovered this little piece of heaven, we gleefully fire up the espresso machine and pull the ice cream out of the freezer after dinner several nights a week so that we can indulge.
Kudos to you for introducing more souls to this delicious Italian dessert!
I think it would pair nicely with the Kahlua and espresso..?