Make the perfect Affogato at home with just two ingredients – espresso and ice cream. Top with chocolate shavings for the perfect coffee-based dessert.

More ways to get your coffee fix include our Mocha Frappuccino, Irish Coffee, and Gingerbread Latte.

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Easy Espresso and Ice Cream

Espresso + ice cream. An afternoon boost plus something for your sweet tooth. What’s not to love?

Considering this espresso-based dessert takes a total of just 2 ingredients and 2 minutes to prepare – maybe 3 if you need to grate some chocolate shavings – I’d say there’s everything to love!

This affogato coffee is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up but it’s also lovely when served at brunch or as an after-dinner dessert.

What Is Affogato?

An affogato is a coffee-based dessert made with vanilla ice cream or gelato, topped with espresso. It’s popular in Italy, known as “affogato al caffe” but can be found throughout the world. Basically, it’s an espresso with ice cream – aka pure perfection! And it’s ridiculously easy to make at home.

Ingredients Needed

You’ll need just 3 ingredients to make an espresso affogato at home.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)

Vanilla gelato – Vanilla ice cream will also work.
Espresso – See notes below for alternatives.
Chocolate shavings – Optional but adds a nice touch to the drink!

What Can I Use Instead of Espresso?

If you don’t have espresso, use a strong coffee, like cold brew concentrate, which has a very similar flavor to espresso. You can warm it up in the microwave and have very similar results.

If you like, you can brew up one cup of coffee but double the amount of coffee grounds you normally use to achieve a strong coffee flavor.

What’s The Difference Between Ice Cream and Gelato?

The difference between the two is the method in which gelato is made with a higher milk-to-fat ratio, and it is churned slower to result in a denser texture. Ice cream is made with a higher fat content of more cream and egg yolks, plus it is also churned at a faster speed, giving you a lighter, fluffier texture. Gelato is traditionally used for this drink in Italy but either will work.

Espresso being poured over coffee in a glass

How to Make Affogato

You can make espresso with ice cream in just a few seconds with these easy steps.
(Don’t miss the detailed printable recipe card below.)

Pour the espresso over the ice cream. Place your ice cream or gelato in a glass, then pour the espresso over top.
Garnish and enjoy. If desired, sprinkle the top of your drink with chocolate shavings and chopped hazelnuts.

Tips & Variations

Here are a few tips to help you serve up a cafe-quality affogato at home.

Serve immediately. Since the hot espresso will melt the gelato immediately, it’s important to serve it right away. I like to use clear glasses so you can see the gelato melt into the espresso.
Use chocolate ice cream. Prefer chocolate to vanilla? You can easily switch out the vanilla gelato for chocolate.
Give it a stronger coffee flavor. Or to get even more of that coffee flavor, try it with coffee-flavored ice cream.
Make it boozy. I suggest using a shot of liquor like amaretto or Frangelico for the best flavor.
How to easily make chocolate shavings. The easiest way to make chocolate shavings for your affogato drink is to run a vegetable peeler or grater over a chocolate bar.

How to Serve an Espresso Affogato

As mentioned above, you’ll want to serve your affogato immediately. It’s typically served with a spoon, so you can eat the ice cream and then drink the coffee/ice cream mixture once it has melted.

Feel free to have fun with the toppings. In addition to the chocolate shavings, you can add some whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, chopped hazelnuts, or crushed-up biscotti.

More Dessert Drink Recipes:

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Affogato

Make the perfect Affogato at home with just two ingredients – espresso and ice cream. Top with chocolate shavings for the perfect coffee-based dessert.

Print Recipe Rate Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings: 1 drink

Ingredients

2 scoops vanilla gelato or ice cream
1 shot espresso or strong coffee
1 teaspoon chocolate shavings , optional

Instructions

Place your vanilla ice cream into a glass.
Pour the espresso over the vanilla ice cream.
Sprinkle the top with the chocolate shavings and chopped hazelnuts and serve immediately.

Notes

Use chocolate ice cream. Prefer chocolate to vanilla? You can easily switch out the vanilla gelato for chocolate.

Give it a stronger coffee flavor. To get even more of that coffee flavor, try it with coffee-flavored ice cream.

Make it boozy. I suggest using a shot of liquor like amaretto or Frangelico for the best flavor.

Nutrition

Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.

Other Notes

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: affogato coffee, espresso affogato, espresso with ice cream