Affogato

two servings of affogato in clear glasses on white plates

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This affogato recipe proves that dessert doesn’t need to be complicated to feel special. Just espresso and vanilla gelato, and you’ve got a treat that feels sophisticated but takes zero effort.

Affogato

This classic Italian dessert, called caffè affogato (which means “drowned coffee”), couldn’t be simpler. Just two ingredients (or three if you add a splash of liqueur, which I highly recommend) come together to make something much better than the sum of their parts. Creamy vanilla gelato or ice cream topped with a hot shot of espresso—it’s the perfect after-dinner treat when you want something fancy-ish but don’t want to lift a finger.

If you’re into coffee desserts (same!), don’t miss my classic tiramisu, no-churn Vietnamese coffee ice cream, or espresso martinis. They’re all perfect when you want something that feels just a little fancy without a lot of effort—kind of like affogato.

What You’ll Need To Make Affogato

Affogato ingredients
  • Vanilla Gelato or Vanilla Ice Cream: The star of the show—cold, creamy, and just sweet enough to balance the bold espresso. Use the best quality you can find.
  • Hot Espresso or Strong Brewed Coffee: Poured over the gelato to create that classic hot-and-cold contrast with deep, rich flavor.
  • Optional Toppings (Shaved Chocolate, Biscotti, or Liqueur): A little something extra if you want to jazz up your affogato. If you’re in the mood to bake, my almond biscotti or chocolate biscotti are both delicious options. As for the liqueur, you can’t go wrong with Frangelico, Kahlúa, amaretto, or even a splash of Baileys—use whatever you have and love.
  • Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Assemble the affogato. Scoop the gelato or ice cream into a small bowl or glass, then pour the hot espresso right over the top.

Pro Tip: For best results, chill the serving glasses ahead of time so the gelato holds its shape a bit longer after the espresso is poured.

Step 2: Add a little something extra (optional). Top with shaved chocolate, a splash of liqueur, or pair it with a biscotti on the side. Serve immediately so the textures stay distinct and the dessert doesn’t turn overly soupy.

afogato

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Affogato

Affogato is an after-dinner favorite with the easiest formula: hot espresso, cold gelato, and zero stress.
Servings: 1 portion
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients 

  • ½ cup (1 to 2 scoops) high-quality vanilla gelato or ice cream
  • 1 shot (1.5 oz or 2 tablespoons) hot espresso or very strong brewed coffee

Optional Toppings/Pairings

  • Shaved chocolate
  • Splash (about 1 teaspoon) of liqueur, like amaretto, Frangelico, or Kahlúa
  • Biscotti

Instructions

  • Scoop the gelato or ice cream into a small bowl or glass. Pour the hot espresso over the top and serve right away. If you’d like, add a sprinkle of shaved chocolate, a splash of liqueur, or serve a biscotti on the side.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 276kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 5gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 102mgFiber: 1gSugar: 28g

This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Comments

  • I first had this amazing dessert at a winery lunch here in Niagara last summer and have been enthralled with it ever since. I made it tonight for company and it was a huge hit – so easy and delectable! I added all the ‘extras’ – a dollop of whipped cream, a drizzle of chocolate liquer and a sprinkle of chocolate curls – heaven – with a chocolate spiroline cookie inserted! Thanks for the proper proportions Jenn – fabulous summer dessert!

    • — Bonnie Spence on June 21, 2025
    • Reply
  • 5 stars
    We’ve made this three times since Jen posted it. Such a delicious and easy treat. Thank you!

    • — Eleen on June 9, 2025
    • Reply

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