Love all things coffee? Try my salted caramel cream cold brew, peanut butter coffee, or caramel ribbon crunch frappuccino next. The first time I tried espresso and gelato, I couldn’t believe I never paired the two before. The balance of dark, bitter espresso with sweet ice cream is heavenly, and to this day, it’s my go-to dessert whenever we get Italian!
Why I love this recipe
Such a simple dessert. All you need is a scoop of gelato and coffee. Customizable. Keep it simple or completely transform the flavor with different ice creams and fun toppings. Get your buzz on! I LOVE coffee desserts, and this is the creme de la creme (or creme de la espresso?). Quick. Like with my coffee mousse, If you have ice cream in your freezer, you only have to brew some coffee to serve this dessert.
Ingredients needed
Vanilla ice cream. This dessert is traditionally served with gelato, which is a thicker, creamier type of ice cream, but I used ice cream because that’s what I had on hand. Espresso. Choose a good-quality espresso. If you don’t have an espresso machine, brew a strong batch of coffee.
How to make an affogato
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Affogato, which translates to drowned in Italian, is a classic coffee dessert consisting of a scoop of vanilla gelato ‘drowning’ in an espresso shot. Step 1- Scoop the ice cream. Add one scoop of vanilla ice cream to two glasses. Step 2- Add espresso. Pour one shot of espresso over each scoop of ice cream, then serve immediately.
Arman’s recipe tips
Use instant coffee instead of espresso. I know this isn’t exactly ‘good quality,’ but I find instant coffee to be bold and less bitter, making it the perfect addition to this treat. Chill your glasses. Chill your serving bowls or glasses in the freezer so the ice cream takes longer to melt. Make it decaffeinated. Use decaf coffee so you’re not buzzing all night! Make it vegan. Use oat milk ice cream or almond milk ice cream instead.
Frequently asked questions
More coffee-inspired treats to try
Coffee mug cake Almond flour coffee cake Tiramisu cake Opera cake
Originally published July 2023, updated and republished August 2024
Swap the vanilla ice cream. Try mint, coffee, or chocolate ice cream instead. Make it boozy. Add a shot of Frangelico, Bailey’s, Kahlua, or amaretto for a subtle almond flavor. Add toppings. Like crushed hazelnuts, shaved chocolate, whipped cream, or crushed cookie crumbs. Garnish. Top with a sprinkle of sea salt or chocolate sauce for a salty-sweet flavor. Serve it with cookies. A little almond flour biscotti or Italian almond cookies make the perfect accompaniment.
