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Classic Italian Vegan Affogato

Classic Italian Vegan Affogato (Espresso over Ice Cream) Easy Dessert Recipes

I discovered affogato on a trip to Italy and immediately wondered why this wasn't already a bigger thing back home. A shot of hot espresso poured directly over cold vegan ice cream creates this genuinely magical contrast of temperatures and textures. Now this is my go-to dessert whenever I want something that feels fancy but requires almost zero effort.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: Dessert, Gluten-free, summer desserts
Cuisine: American
Calories: 276
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • This recipe keeps things genuinely minimal letting good ice cream and strong espresso do all the work. Here's exactly what you need.
  • 2 to 3 scoops vegan ice cream coffee, chocolate, or vanilla all work great
  • 1 shot espresso or strong coffee
  • Cacao nibs dark chocolate shavings, or chopped nuts, for garnish, optional
  • A quick note: the original version of this recipe called for regular dairy ice cream which isn't vegan despite the recipe name. This version specifically calls for vegan ice cream instead, keeping the whole dessert genuinely plant-based.

Equipment

  • This recipe keeps the tool list refreshingly simple. Here's what to grab:
  • Ice cream scoop
  • Small serving glass or cup (a Gibraltar coffee glass works great if you have one)
  • Espresso machine or stovetop espresso maker (for brewing your shot)
  • Measuring jigger, optional, for portioning the espresso
  • No baking, no blending, nothing complicated. A scoop and a shot of espresso are really all you need.

Method
 

  1. Step 1- Scoop the Ice Cream
  2. Place 2 to 3 small scoops of your chosen vegan ice cream into a small cup or glass. Coffee, chocolate, and vanilla all work beautifully here, though a toasted coconut or nutty flavor adds an extra layer of interest.
  3. Step 2- Brew Your Espresso
  4. Brew a fresh shot of espresso or strong coffee. This should be hot and ready to pour immediately, since the contrast between hot and cold is really the whole point of this dessert.
  5. Step 3- Pour and Garnish
  6. Pour the hot espresso directly over the scoops of ice cream. Garnish with cacao nibs, chocolate shavings, or chopped nuts if desired, then serve immediately while the temperature contrast is still fresh.
  7. That's genuinely the entire process. Three simple steps, and you've got a dessert that feels far more sophisticated than the effort involved.

Notes

Nutrition Breakdown (Per Serving)

Here's exactly what you're getting from this single-serving recipe:
  • Calories- 276 kcal
  • Carbohydrates- 32g
  • Protein- 5g
  • Fat- 15g
  • Saturated Fat- 9g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat- 1g
  • Monounsaturated Fat- 4g
  • Sodium- 110mg
  • Potassium- 297mg
  • Fiber- 1g
  • Sugar- 28g
  • Vitamin A- 556 IU
  • Vitamin C- 1mg
  • Calcium- 170mg
  • Iron- 0.2mg