Affogato is an Italian coffee and gelato dessert. A shot of hot espresso is poured over a scoop of vanilla gelato, drowning it into a delicious concoction.
The freshly brewed deep and rich aromas of my parents stove top coffee, always had me up and out of bed early when I was younger.
Once seated at the table mamma would serve me a bowl of my favorite cereals with milk and a little splash of her morning coffee.
It certainly had me feeling all grown up. I suppose this is how my love of coffee began and still continues to this day.
What does Affogato mean you ask?
Affogato literally translates to “drowned”.
This classic treat is served with one scoop of gelato and a shot of hot espresso.
My version here is somewhat more indulgent.
I initially wanted to make this a two ingredient recipe, however, I could not resist adding some of my freshly baked chocolate anise biscotti. But you can use other ice cream toppings of your choice if you so wish.
To compliment the anise flavor of the biscotti, I added a shot of Sambuca. This makes for one very delicious and heavenly coffee dessert! Not to mention how indulgent it is as well.
To achieve the very best results, do use a high quality coffee and not the instant variety.
It just will not do in this recipe! So dust off that old Italian stove top coffee maker if you haven’t used one in a while. Or maybe you have one of those automatic espresso makers.
As long as it’s not instant or percolator coffee! Says the proud coffee snob here!
Also bears mentioning, is to use chilled glasses before scooping in the ice cream and pouring in the coffee.
Better yet, prepare this dessert ahead of time by placing 1 scoop of ice-cream in a freezer proof serving glass, sprinkle with crushed biscotti and top with another scoop of ice cream and place in your freezer.
When ready to serve remove from freezer, pour warm coffee and the Sambuca over the ice cream and sprinkle with more crushed biscotti.
This is one easy and super creamy Affogato style frappuccino! Try it. You’ll love it!
What is your favorite coffee drink? I would love to hear from you!
Affogato
Ingredients
- 4 generous scoops of vanilla ice-cream
- 4 ounces hot espresso coffee
- 2 ounces Sambuca
- 1/2 cup crushed biscotti (approximately)
- 2 chilled dessert glasses or cups
Instructions
- Place 1 generous scoop of vanilla ice-cream in each well chilled dessert glass or cup.
- Sprinkle each scoop with some crushed biscotti.
- Top with a 2nd scoop of ice-cream.
- Pour 2 ounces of hot espresso into each glass.
- Pour 1 ounce of Sambuca into each glass and sprinkle with remaining crushed biscotti
This is affogato overkill!!!
Totally agree but so worth it 🙂
That’s why I’ve tweeted it to all of my 4 1/2 followers!
How do I find you on Twitter? I will follow you?
Ok found you…am following you?
Affogato is an alltime favorite and can’t wait for your biscotti recipe they look amazing.
Thanks..I promise not to keep you waiting too long 🙂
Very, very, yummy Marisa!!! xx
Thank-you Cheryl, so glad you like it 🙂
xx
Beautiful dessert Marissa! xo
It is a simple dessert that is sure to impress. Super easy and yummy!!! Thanks 🙂
?no fear, Marisa, I will not go anywhere. I can not make this here due to the fact that I can not get 2 of the main ingredients, but I like reading this recipe and dream. But I am waiting for the biscuit recipe. 🙂
I am curious as to which ingredients are difficult to find in your area! And thank-you I shall not keep you waiting too long…?
Delicious Marisa!
Thanks Eugenia, always nice to hear from you!
Perfect make in advance dessert for summer evenings Marisa, I can’t wait for the anise biscotti recipe x
Thanks Linda, the Biscotti photos are all done so should get it posted as soon as I write it up…xxx
My favorite affogato is at Eatly. I go to the one in Chicago. They do a simple affogato with just ice cream and espresso, but with very special vanilla ice cream – imported from Italy, made from milk of special cows who graze on special grass… etc. etc. So Italian! and the flavor is wonderful! Your idea with the biscotti and café “corretto” as they say in Italy sounds delicious, too.
How wonderful that you have “Eataly” nearby! I am a little bit envious right now…lol. I recently bought their cookbook cannot wait to try some of their recipes. Thanks for dropping by?
If the mini restaurants they have in their establishment are any indication, you will love their recipes! Just simple Italian food, well-made, which somehow is always the best.
Affogato has been a real addiction , and hit at my house! It has introduced Steven to coffee!!!!! Imagine he never had coffee in the past!!!! And Yvan , addicted to my 4liter ice cream container!!!! Tku for your recipe!!! We will most defiantly enjoy it when in the mood for a twist of alcohol!!!!! Xoxoxoxo
Yes I remember your hubby making quite a delicious one!! ?
This looks so wonderful, Marisa! Going to pin it right away! 🙂
Thanks Anna, you will love it 🙂
Absolutely! 🙂 There are so many recipes on your blog I want to make!
Gorgeous! I love your additions!
Thanks Mimi! My husband was quite thrilled as he loves Sambuca in his coffee 🙂
Wow Marisa, you really managed to take the Affogato to a new level with the Sambuca and biscotti. Such a wonderful dessert.
It is fast becoming our new favourite!! Thanks Ronit?
A terrific spin on a classic, a bit more elegant. I love your suggestion of preparing the ice cream beforehand.
Bella, it was even more delicious after freezing the ice-cream together with the coffee and Sambuca! I foresee it being a regular summer dessert 🙂
I’ve heard of affogato but have never it. Your version sounds like a must try…perfect for this summer.
It is really quite delicious Karen, enjoy 🙂
This looks incredible!! I’m so trying this Marisa!
Thanks Renee! It was even better after my photo shoot…I popped it back in the freezer for a few hours and had it as an after supper dessert!! Yum 🙂
Yum! Recently my friend did tell me about Affogato, but she said nothing of the Sambuca! Lol, thanks Marisa!
lol…Sambuca or Amaretto it’s all good right!!! 🙂
Oh my this looks so perfect for this hot June day! I have had affogato on my mental list of things to experiment with but you have done it for me. Very yummy and beautiful Marisa.
Thank-you so much Teresa, it is really quite delicious and so simple to make ?
this looks amazing! Sorry it took so long but on my phone it takes me to your other site from before!! xxx
Sorry for the confusion, not sure why it would do that and thank-you, yes it is really quite delicious 🙂
I guess I still have your old site don’t know why. Anyway I am making this for sure! yumm
Oh my I just wish I could have a couple bites of that delicious dish of Affogato! I am a coffee lover and I think it’s because my grandmother let us dunk our cookies into it.
Same here Julie! Growing up, I would always try to dip my cookies in my mother’s coffee when she was not looking!