Affogato

AFFOGATO

This dessert is for the coffee lovers and it genuinely hits the spot every time! Considering the fact that there are literally two components to this dessert, it honestly couldn’t get any easier. Affogato is simply the combination of a shot of espresso poured over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s sweet, creamy and bitter from the coffee (in the best way possible!). You can find this dessert/drink in most coffee shops now but you can easily make it at home and adjust the ingredients so that you make it taste exactly how you want.

The first time I had it, I didn’t put any sugar in the espresso because I assumed that the ice cream would sweeten it up, however I was very wrong. I used a strong coffee, so the taste of the coffee completely overpowered the ice cream and it wasn’t as satisfying as it could be. The next time I made it, I decided to add some brown sugar and make sure that the sugar had completely dissolved before pouring over the ice cream. It was delicious!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE AFFOGATO

Simplicity: Affogato is a simple and elegant dessert/drink, which consists of only two main ingredients: a shot of hot espresso poured over a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Hot & Cold contrast: The hot espresso shot contrasts perfectly with the cold and creamy vanilla ice cream. There’s a great moment before the ice cream melts where the coffee is still warm and ice cream is solid.

Versatility: Affogato is a versatile dessert which you can customise to suit your taste. Experiment with different ice cream flavours; salted caramel or chocolate would both work really.

Quick and Easy to Make: Affogato is really quick and easy to prepare, which makes its perfect for a simple treat when you’re craving something sweet and satisfying.

Sweeten to your taste: As Affogato uses a sweet vanilla ice cream, you may not need to add sweetener. However if you like a sweeter taste then add in some sugar to the espresso whilst it’s hot so the crystals melt.

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED FOR AFFOGATO

Vanilla Ice Cream – Use your favourite vanilla ice cream and feel free to mix it up. Try different ice cream flavours which you think will pair well with coffee. I personally would pick a salted caramel because it’s my favourite ice cream flavour and would pair perfectly with coffee.

Shot of Espresso – A freshly brewed espresso shot would be the best option for this recipe but you can use instant if you don’t have coffee machine.

Sweetener (optional) – If you want to sweeten up the dessert to balance the bitter coffee then add in some sugar or sweetener of choice to the coffee. If you find that the ice cream sweetens the coffee then you don’t need to add anything.

TIPS FOR THE BEST AFFOGATO

1. Use your favourite Vanilla ice-cream: (I guess you could try other flavours of ice-cream but vanilla will always be the way to go for me! Although having said that, could you imagine how good it would taste with a rich salted caramel ice cream!)
2. Sweeten to your taste: If you usually add sugar to your coffee then I would recommend for you to add sugar to the espresso, it will taste a little bitter without the sugar.
3. Choose your consistency: If you want it to be more of a thick consistency then don’t add too much liquid because the ice-cream will melt instantly and you’ll have a vanilla and coffee milkshake (which is delicious nonetheless). If you want a creamy dessert, I would recommend 2 scoops of ice-cream and one shot of espresso; the ice-cream will still hold its shape and the espresso will elevate the dessert with the sharp and rich coffee flavour.
4. Serve Immediately: Affogato should be served immediately because the coffee will melt the ice cream if you leave it too long.
5. Choose the Right Glass: You can serve the affogato in any cup but a glass would be a lot more aesthetically pleasing.

MORE TIPS

• Freshly Brewed Espresso: Brew the espresso just before serving so it remains fresh. If you don’t have a coffee machine then use instant coffee.
• Balance the Ratios: Experiment with the ratio of espresso to ice cream to find the best balance of taste.
• Experiment with Ice Cream Flavours: Affogato is typically served with a classic vanilla but feel free to experiment with different ice cream flavours. Hazelnut, salted caramel or chocolate can add more depth of flavour. S
• Customise you Toppings: Personal your affogato with toppings like whipped cream, caramel sauce, or a sprinkle of cinnamon for added flair.
• Pair with Shortbread or Biscotti: Serve a side of biscotti or shortbread cookies with your affogato. The crunchy cookies complements the creamy texture of the dessert.

OTHER RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Authentic Pakistani Chai – Authentic Pakistani Chai – My Simple Eats

Iced Vanilla Latte – Iced Vanilla Latte – My Simple Eats

Iced Caffe Latte – Iced Caffe Latte – My Simple Eats

CONCLUSION

Affogato is a simple and elegant dessert which is simple to put together and uses very few ingredients. It’s perfect when you crave something sweet and love coffee. It’s very easy to customise and pairing it with some shortbread will give a perfect crunch.