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Italian Affogato

Italian Affogato

Italian Affogato is a simple yet elegant dessert that combines a hot, rich shot of espresso poured over creamy vanilla gelato. This quick, minimal-ingredient treat offers a perfect balance of bold coffee bitterness and smooth sweetness, delivering an indulgent taste of authentic Italian café culture right at home.

Ingredients

Scale

Essential Ingredients

  • 12 shots Freshly Brewed Espresso (strong and concentrated)
  • 2 generous scoops Vanilla Gelato (or quality equivalent)

Optional Ingredients

  • Sugar (to taste, optional)
  • Chocolate Shavings (for garnish, optional)
  • Mint Leaves (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Espresso: Brew a fresh, strong shot of espresso using an espresso machine, stovetop Moka pot, or aeropress designed for espresso-style coffee. Aim for a rich and concentrated flavor to serve as the base of your affogato.
  2. Scoop the Gelato: Place one or two generous scoops of high-quality vanilla gelato into a small dessert glass or bowl while the espresso is still hot and fresh.
  3. Pour the Espresso Over Gelato: Gently pour the hot espresso shot directly over the gelato. The heat will slightly melt the gelato, creating a luscious blend of cold and hot, creamy and bitter flavors.
  4. Add Optional Toppings: Garnish with chocolate shavings, a light dusting of cocoa powder, fresh mint leaves, or a sprinkle of sugar if desired, to add extra flavor and visual appeal.

Notes

  • Use fresh espresso brewed immediately before serving for the best flavor contrast.
  • Choose authentic gelato for a denser, creamier texture compared to regular ice cream.
  • Serve the affogato immediately to enjoy the perfect melt of gelato and espresso.
  • Adjust sweetness by adding sugar to espresso or using sweetened gelato according to preference.
  • Minimize stirring to preserve the delightful texture contrast between creamy gelato and bitter coffee.

Nutrition

Keywords: Affogato, Italian dessert, espresso, gelato, coffee dessert, easy dessert, quick treat, creamy dessert