Description
Classic Italian affogato al caffè merges rich espresso with silky vanilla gelato, creating a simple yet elegant dessert. Creamy, cold ice cream melts under hot espresso, offering a perfect balance of temperatures and flavors for coffee enthusiasts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 shot espresso
- 2 scoops high-quality vanilla ice cream
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) nut or coffee liqueur
- dark chocolate (for grating on top)
Instructions
- Espresso Preparation: Brew a robust, freshly ground espresso shot, ensuring optimal temperature and rich, aromatic flavor for each serving.
- Serving Setup: Choose a wide, clear glass or shallow bowl that elegantly displays the dessert’s enticing layers and color contrast.
- Gelato Placement: Nestle a generous scoop of premium vanilla gelato or high-quality ice cream at the center of the serving vessel, positioned to capture the incoming espresso.
- Coffee Infusion: Pour the steaming hot espresso directly over the cold gelato, allowing the intense coffee to cascade and create an immediate, mesmerizing swirl that blends temperatures and textures.
- Flavor Enhancement: Optional: Enhance the dessert with a subtle drizzle of nocino walnut liqueur or complementary spirit, adding depth and complexity to the classic affogato profile.
- Final Garnish: Delicately sprinkle dark chocolate shavings across the surface, letting them slightly melt and integrate with the coffee-soaked gelato, providing a luxurious finish to this Italian-inspired dessert.
Notes
- Espresso Quality Matters: Use freshly ground, high-quality espresso beans for a rich, authentic flavor that elevates the entire dessert experience.
- Temperature Precision: Serve espresso piping hot to create the perfect melting interaction with cold gelato, ensuring a dramatic and delicious temperature contrast.
- Gelato Selection: Choose premium, dense vanilla gelato with minimal ice crystals for a smooth, creamy texture that beautifully absorbs the espresso.
- Garnish with Finesse: Dark chocolate shavings aren’t just decoration; they add complexity and a subtle bitter note that complements the sweet and robust coffee profile.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Drinks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg