affogato: n. An Italian, coffee-based dessert consisting of vanilla gelato (or ice cream) topped with a shot of espresso. Affogato means "drowned" in Italian.
This is a really quick summer dessert (made better by a fancy name). Get some elaborate and boozy versions, below...
Of course, hot espresso and cold ice cream doesn't seem like a good combination. You might end up with more of a float or possibly a soup. We'd let the coffee or espresso cool slightly before pouring it over the ice cream.
If a traditional affogato feels a little to simple for you, add whipped cream, nuts, or a drizzle of chocolate sauce. Or mix up your ice cream flavors. The one pictured above, Martha Stewart Living, uses coffee ice cream and adds a splash of liqueur (like amaretto or Frangelico).
Or turn the whole thing into a sundae. This recipe from Gourmet layers coffee and vanilla ice creams with crumbled ladyfingers, chocolate, and whipped cream, in addition to the espresso.
Our pick would be chocolate ice cream with the espresso... What about you?
Related: Video: The Handpresso in Action
(Image: MarthaStewart.com)
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i've done this before with starbucks espresso liqueur - which is easy for those of us without espresso makers. adding irish cream is also good, though a bit less healthy than other options...
This is one of my go-to quick-fix desserts! I usually use a combo of vanilla and coffee ice cream, then crumble a few amaretti biscuits and top with hot espresso. I like to let my guests pour their own espresso over the dessert at the table.
I used to work at an Italian gelato shop/espresso bar... And the affogato was by far the best thing I learned (barista skills aside). Now we request it at any place that offers gelato/ice cream and espresso. They may not know it by name, though, so you might have to explain it. Equally delish at home with stovetop espresso and homemade ice cream. YUM!
Don't fear the "soup" effect. The melting of the hot espresso and cold ice cream is lovely. It's meant to be enjoyed quickly, in one might say an express fashion.