There are days when I’m lazybones in the kitchen and I just want to dump things in a bowl and eat out of it. If I can avoid using utensils or cutting boards that don’t fit in the dishwasher, that’s a bonus. Salads are a great example of brainless dishes but, when it comes to desserts, I don’t think you can get any easier than making an Affogato al Caffè. It’s such an easy dessert it doesn’t even require instructions.
Affogato literally means “drowned” and caffè means “coffee” (duh!). It’s basically a scoop of gelato on which you pour coffee (“drowned by coffee”–what a sweet death!). Is it delicious? OH. EM. GEE. I mean, we’re talking about putting together two of the most wonderful things we’re blessed to have in this world! Isn’t that enough? Well, you can make it even more to-die-for by adding a few chocolate chips or pouring a bit of chocolate liqueur in it. Honestly, sky’s the limit and you can personalize it by adding whatever toppings you prefer. However, please don’t be tempted by replacing gelto with ice cream or espresso with regular coffee. It may somehow work, but it’s not the same thing.
This dessert is a neat idea for a dinner with friends: it’s cool to assemble it in front of them or even let them pass around the coffee to pour in their own gelato cups. It’s a fun, elegant, and effortless dessert. You can’t ask for more.
And now, let’s drown in coffee!
AFFOGATO AL CAFFE’
Servings: 2 | Time: 5-10 minutes, tops!
INGREDIENTS
2 shots (4-6 oz total) of coffee (brewed with moka or espresso machine)
2 big scoops (or 4 small scoops) of gelato (vanilla, coffee or chocolate all work great)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Place one or two scoops of gelato in each cup.
2. Pour a small amount of coffee (1 espresso shot) over gelato and add any other toppings, if using. Serve immediately (it melts quickly)!
Yep. I told ya. It’s that easy. However, here are a few notes and suggestions:
-Fancy additions ideas: coffee or chocolate liqueur, rum, chocolate chips, chocolate syrup, whipped cream.
-I prefer using transparent cups as they better show the contrasting colors of the two ingredients.
-The traditional way to serve this dessert is by pouring hot coffee, which makes the gelato melt quickly (think of a float). This is why you should serve it and eat it immediately. However, if you like to keep the consistency of the gelato a bit longer, you can use cold coffee.
*Special thanks to my hubby for providing a steady pour for these photos!
