Affogato, the most elegant Italian ice cream dessert

The affogato is a simple and delicious Italian dessert, a scoop-based dessert cup that combines ice cream and coffee. Its name means "drowned" in Italian, referring to how the ice cream is "drowned" in the hot espresso. I think it's a wonderful dessert, because it combines two flavors that pair exquisitely (vanilla with coffee) while resulting in a very elegant serving presentation.

The traditional version simply combines ice cream with coffee, but it is also popular to add a splash of liqueur, which if you choose to do so adds that touch of sophistication to the presentation and flavor you might want to explore.

Let's go with the recipe — it couldn't be simpler!

Ingredients

• 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream (you can use other flavors like hazelnut, salted caramel, vanilla with pecans or chocolate... according to your preference).
• 1 cup of freshly made double espresso (approximately 30-40 ml of coffee).
• (Optional) A splash of liqueur of your choice (for example, Amaretto, Frangelico, or Kahlúa) 
• For garnish (optional), chocolate shavings, cocoa powder, chopped hazelnuts, candied nuts or sliced almonds.

Preparation

1. Prepare a double espresso (about 30-40 ml of coffee) with the KitchenAid portafilter espresso maker.
2. Place one or two scoops of vanilla ice cream (or the ice cream of your choice) in a dessert glass or cocktail glass.
3. Pour the coffee over the ice cream.
4. Optionally add a splash of Amaretto (this is how I like it best, but you can omit the liqueur or add another of your choice; see notes).
5. Garnish with some chocolate shavings, cocoa powder, chopped candied nuts or sliced almonds, if desired.

Enjoy! You can serve it with the elegant long straight-ended ice cream spoons from WMF.

Notes

Adding liqueur to the Affogato is optional. I enjoy it plain or with Amaretto, but here are some liqueur options that pair well with affogato:

1. Amaretto: An almond liqueur that adds a sweet and slightly bitter flavor.
2. Frangelico: A hazelnut liqueur that wonderfully complements the ice cream and coffee.
3. Kahlúa: A coffee liqueur that intensifies the espresso flavor.
4. Baileys: An Irish cream liqueur that adds a creamy texture and smooth flavor.
5. Sherry, such as Pedro Ximénez: Very sweet with an intense raisin and caramel flavor, it can add a delicious contrast to the bitterness of the coffee.