Affogato with Espresso and Vanilla Gelato
A simple Italian dessert of rich, hot espresso poured over creamy vanilla gelato for a perfect balance of bitter and sweet. This Italian-inspired recipe, ready in about 10 minutes, layers vanilla gelato, freshly brewed espresso, dark chocolate shavings into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 2, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 scoops (about 1 cup) vanilla gelato
- 1/2 cup, hot freshly brewed espresso
- 1 tbsp, for garnish dark chocolate shavings
- 1 tsp, for garnish (optional) toasted almond slices
The espresso machines we’d pull this shot on → Best Espresso Machines for Home in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Brew 1/2 cup of fresh espresso using an espresso machine or stovetop espresso maker; keep hot.
- Step 2: Place 4 scoops (about 1 cup) of vanilla gelato into two small serving glasses or bowls.
- Step 3: Immediately pour the hot espresso evenly over the gelato in each glass, allowing it to melt and blend.
- Step 4: Garnish each serving with 1 tbsp dark chocolate shavings and sprinkle with 1 tsp toasted almond slices if using.
- Step 5: Serve immediately with a spoon, enjoying the contrast of hot espresso and cold gelato.







