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Italian Affogato (Ice Cream and Coffee)
Easy Affogato a traditional dessert from Italy
Some desserts try too hard affogato doesn’t have to. This effortlessly cool Italian treat takes just two ingredients, vanilla gelato and hot espresso and somehow delivers pure magic. It's rich, creamy, bold, and just the right mix of hot and cold, sweet and bitter.
Affogato is quick, elegant, and hits all the right notes for coffee lovers and dessert fans alike. Want to take it up a notch? Add a splash of Amaretto, Frangelico, or Kahlúa for a boozy twist that turns this simple treat into something unforgettable.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 scoops of authentic Italian vanilla gelato (or high-quality vanilla ice cream)
  • 1 shot (about 30 ml) of freshly brewed hot espresso
  • Grated dark chocolate or cocoa powder (optional)
  • A splash of liqueur (e.g., Frangelico, Amaretto, or Kahlúa) (optional)

Equipment

  • Italian moka pot or espresso coffee machine

Instructions
 

  1. Chill the serving glass (optional): A small glass or espresso cup works best
  2. Place two generous scoops of vanilla gelato into the glass.
  3. Brew a fresh shot of espresso.
  4. Pour the hot espresso directly over the gelato (or vanilla ice cream).

Notes

Use high-quality espresso: The flavor of the espresso is key. Brew it fresh using an espresso machine, moka pot, or even a strong French press if needed.
Gelato vs. ice cream: Traditional affogato is made with vanilla gelato, which has a denser, silkier texture than regular ice cream. However, high-quality vanilla ice cream works well too.
Chill your serving glass: A cold glass helps slow the melting of the gelato and keeps the dessert visually appealing.
Serve immediately: The contrast between hot espresso and cold gelato is what makes this dessert special—serve right after pouring the espresso for the best experience.
Alcoholic twist: Add 15–30 ml of liqueur (like Amaretto, Nocino, Frangelico, or Kahlúa) for a boozy variation called Affogato alcolico.
 
 

Nutrition Estimated Facts - Italian Affogato 


(1 scoop vanilla gelato or ice cream + 1 shot espresso; values are estimates)
Nutrient Amount %DV
Calories 260–280 —
Total Fat 14 g 18%
  Saturated Fat 8–9 g 40–45%
Cholesterol 80–90 mg 27–30%
Sodium 60–70 mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 27–30 g 10%
  Dietary Fiber 0 g 0%
Total Sugars 24–26 g —
  Added Sugars** 18–22 g 36–44%
Protein 4–5 g 8–10%
Calcium 150–170 mg 12–15%
Potassium 200–240 mg 4–5%
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.


Most of the calories and saturated fat come from the vanilla gelato or ice cream, which contains cream and sugar. The espresso contributes very few calories but adds flavor and a small number of antioxidants.
 

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