Sunday, November 9, 2025

The Two-Ingredient Espresso Dessert I am Making All Summer season Lengthy

Why It Works

  • Scorching espresso melts the ice cream, the ice cream cools the espresso, and the result’s a glassful of scrumptious temperature contrasts.
  • Candy, creamy vanilla ice cream completely tempers robust espresso, making a balanced and scrumptious dessert.

I’m a espresso snob—the type of one that packs a hand grinder and scale in his baggage to keep away from unhealthy espresso at my vacation spot, and who would sooner undergo a caffeine-withdrawal headache than undergo no matter’s brewing at many ubiquitous chains. And but, even I swore that I’d by no means go down the street of creating espresso at house. It was an excessive amount of of an funding in tools, a talent I used to be joyful to depart to baristas.

Critical Eats/ Amanda Suarez


After which I used to be given an espresso machine from work for long-term testing. I’ve now gone down the espresso street. Far down it. It did not take lengthy earlier than I used to be upgrading the portafilter basket, swapping out my grouphead for a greater one, tearing open the machine and voiding the guarantee to put in a PID for higher temperature management. I received a brand new grinder that would deal with espresso grinds, then I purchased one other new grinder that would deal with espresso grinds higher.

The factor is, I am having fun with it. I am a going-down-the-rabbit-hole type of man, and regardless of my years of avoidance, it is clear that adopting an espresso apply at house is the logical factor for an individual like me. Plus, now I could make one of many world’s quickest and best espresso desserts—the affogato—every time I would like. And this summer season, I count on that to be on a regular basis.

Critical Eats/ Amanda Suarez


Affogare means “to drown” in Italian, and so this dessert drink’s (or is it a drinky dessert?) title describes the act of drowning gelato in a sizzling shot of espresso. The recipe is so easy, it is hardly a recipe. There are only some issues to know:

  • Style is subjective, however most individuals will most likely favor a medium to darker roast right here. Extra frivolously roasted coffees are typically brighter, fruitier, and extra acidic, which might be nice when ingesting them black; nevertheless, they do not all the time pair as effectively with dairy and sugar. A richer, chocolatier, roastier espresso is a extra pure pairing with vanilla ice cream. That stated, in case you love brilliant, fruity espresso with ice cream, go for it.
  • This is not a very exacting drink, however you may most likely need roughly an oz to an oz and a half of espresso for a beneficiant scoop of ice cream. That needs to be sufficient to “drown” the ice cream with espresso with out overwhelming it.
  • Be at liberty to experiment: Vanilla gelato is the traditional pairing, however you’ll be able to attempt different ice cream flavors. Chocolate and low are pure companions, as are caramel or butterscotch flavors, or something nutty, corresponding to butter pecan, hazelnut, or gianduia. You might additionally spike it with some alcohol, corresponding to rum or a flavored liqueur, or garnish it with toppings like whipped cream, shaved chocolate, or a dusting of cinnamon.

Critical Eats/ Amanda Suarez


The Two-Ingredient Espresso Dessert I am Making All Summer season Lengthy



Prepare dinner Mode
(Preserve display awake)

  • 1 shot espresso  (1 to 1 1/2 ounces; 3040 g)

  • 1 beneficiant scoop vanilla ice cream

  1. In a small glass or cappuccino cup, pour espresso over ice cream and serve instantly with a spoon.

    Critical Eats/ Amanda Suarez


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