Affogato Recipe - an Italian classic (2024)

FAQs

What is a real affogato? ›

An affogato (/ˌɑːfəˈɡɑːtoʊ, ˌæf-/), known in full in Italian as (gelato) affogato al caffè ('(ice cream) 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.

Affogato literally means “drowned” in Italian. The word is used to describe when a liquid is poured over a food, usually cold food, but it can also describe cooking techniques using minimal liquid at a temperature of 175-185 °F, which should never reach the boiling point.

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.

An affogato is most commonly made with vanilla gelato, though a quality vanilla bean ice cream works, too. You can even switch it up to use flavored ice creams such as chocolate or mint chip, or try coffee ice cream or mocha for an extra hit of caffeine.

We Melt For This Dessert, But The Ice Cream Doesn't

An affogato is typically served in a small, shallow, cylindrical glass dish. If you don't have a designated dessert bowl that fits this description, a rocks glass works perfectly.

Fun fact: “Affogato” means drowning in Italian - the word is used to describe when a liquid is poured over food, usually cold food. When we're making an affogato, we love watching the ice cream melt as it's drowned in coffee.

Cold, sweet ice cream meets hot, roasty espresso. The affogato is easy to make and a treat for the senses.

The affogato is a hot and cold delicacy available on many specialty coffee shop menus, as well as in restaurants. It is a rich, creamy blend of two very different flavours. While generally considered a dessert, some people do believe the affogato is a drink.

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.

Grab your spoon and dig in! If you prefer, sip it straight from the bowl. The sweetness of the gelato tempers the bitterness of the coffee, while the contrasting temperatures eventually balance each other out. Don't leave it too long, or you will find that you have with coffee-gelato soup!

What time of day do you eat affogato? ›

For those new to affogato, it's a traditional Italian coffee-dessert where hot espresso is poured over gelato or ice cream, with the option of adding a splash of liquor. It's coffee, dessert, and an after-dinner drink, all rolled into one.

“The espresso after dinner is ordered only if the meal was heavy, and they also 'correct' the espresso by adding grappa, known as 'the corretto,'” Milos says of the Italian tradition. The habit might also have to do with the fact that Italians stay up later.

With its rich sweetness and velvety texture, Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Bean beautifully complements and balances expresso shots. When made at home, affogato is for personal enjoyment and allows for creativity.

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.

Try a classic affogato with Vanilla ice cream, or customize with your favorite flavor. Now you can get this decadent treat that will transport your taste buds to Italy at Dunkin' and Baskin-Robbins combo stores nationwide for only $3.49.

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.

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.

"Vorrei un affogato al caffè, per favore." The "affogato" could be considered a dessert by many, but it is the perfect choice for a hot summer day. Make sure to order it "al caffè" as there are many variatons of it.

Because it tastes good and looks good. Is it a drink or a dessert? The answer isn't quite that simple. While the specialty is served as a dessert in Italy, the combination of coffee and ice cream is offered as a drink abroad.