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' 

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'

Classic Italian Affogato al Caffe'

Yield: 1

Author: Manuela Mazzocco

Prep time: 5 MinTotal time: 5 Min

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'

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!

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