Two clear double-walled glasses with affogato—espresso poured over vanilla ice cream—sit on a folded cloth next to spoons, with a red cup and espresso machine in the background.
A smiling woman with long brown hair rests her hands on a cookbook titled Never Say Never to Dolce, which features her photo on the cover. A silver vase with orange flowers sits on the counter in front of her.

Cookbooks

Never Say Never to Dolce

A brand-new collection of 50 approachable homemade desserts – from iconic Cannoli to Dolci al Cucchiaio and more – that proves there’s always room for a little sweetness.

Manuela’s Sweet Temptations

A collection of 50 irresistible dessert recipes, from classic Italian treats to modern favorites—including gluten-free options.

The Complete Italian Cookbook: Essential Regional Cooking of Italy

A collection of 50 irresistible dessert recipes, from classic Italian treats to modern favorites—including gluten-free options.

Two clear double-walled glasses with affogato—espresso poured over vanilla ice cream—sit on a folded cloth next to spoons, with a red cup and espresso machine in the background.
, ,

Classic Italian Affogato al Caffe’

When two of the best and most enticing Italian pleasures (hot espresso and cold gelato) meet in one glass, magical things happen! Here is the classic recipe for this simple and simply amazing Italian affogato al caffe’

Print Recipe

 

This post is written in collaboration with Capresso. All opinions are mine alone.

 

For all the espresso lovers out there, here is THE perfect (and by far THE easiest) coffee “drowned”  dessert for you! 

Just one word of caution, once you taste it there’s no going back. And you will want to eat this again and again and again. 

So please don’t tell me I didn’t warn you 😉

Affogato (which in Italian means “drowned”) is a two-ingredients dessert that comes together in a couple of minutes.

Simply pour two shots of steamy hot espresso over a scoop or two of gelato (or ice-cream) and watch the magic happen.

When the hot coffee melts the ice cream, it creates a foamy cream on top  that mingles with the espresso cream. It’s a mouthwatering mix of hot and cold, of sweet and strong. As I said, simply magical!

 

Given that this “recipe”, only asks for two ingredients, let’s make sure that both are top quality. 

For my espresso I’m using my new professional grade Cafe’ Select Espresso Machine by Capresso, together with its Stainless Steel Infinity Plus Grinder, to perfectly ground the coffee beans. It doesn’t get much better than this. Find out more at Capresso.com

 

For this recipe, you can use your favorite ice-cream or gelato. I like to use a vanilla bean or a simple  gelato alla crema or nocciola (hazelnut). But there’s so much room for experimentation.  

The same is true for the toppings. You can keep it simple, or just go crazy with what you want to add on top to make it as different and as fun as you wish. 

On my affogato, I added some dark chocolate shavings and chopped hazelnuts. You can also have almonds, pistachios, chocolate fudge, caramel sauce, cocoa, coffee beans, crushed cookies, whipped cream… or you can even spike it with your favorite. I’m thinking, how about Bailey’s or Frangelico?!? 

Remember, no need to add sugar to the coffee. 

Here is the recipe card for you: Italian affogato al caffe’

 

 

Two clear double-walled glasses with affogato—espresso poured over vanilla ice cream—sit on a folded cloth next to spoons, with a red cup and espresso machine in the background.

Classic Italian Affogato al Caffe’

0, 0 rating(s)

When two of the best and most enticing Italian pleasures (hot espresso and cold gelato) meet in one glass, magical things happen! Here is the classic recipe for this simple and simply amazing Italian affogato al caffe’

Servings:

1

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time

5 min

Cook Time

Resting Time

Total Time

5 min

Ingredients

  • 2 shots of espresso
  • 2 scoops ice-cream
  • chopped hazelnuts
  • dark chocolate shavings

Instructions

  1. Add two scoops of ice cream to a glass or serving bowl (make sure the glass is heat resistant and will not break with the hot coffee).
  2. Make the espresso and immediately pour one or 2 (recommended) shots of coffee on top of the ice cream
  3. Sprinkle with your toppings and enjoy as fast as you can!