How To: Make Amazing Affogato with Ice Cream Cubes

In Italian, the word affogato means "drowned." Kind of a morbid name for such a delicious goodie, right? But there's a reason it's called that.

For those of you not in the know, affogato is a coffee-based treat usually consisting of a scoop of vanilla gelato or ice cream "drowned" in a shot of espresso. Sometimes there are even additions like Grand Marnier liqueur, grappa, or whipped cream... if we're really lucky.

We often freeze almond milk as ice cubes to put in our iced coffee. But one day, with no almond milk on hand, we came up with the idea of using ice cream cubes in our coffee instead. They have the creaminess we crave with an extra touch of sweetness.

When added to coffee, these ice cream cubes create an easy affogato—a simple yet elegant dessert to be enjoyed with friends.

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients

• ice cream (any kind that would go well in coffee: mint chip, vanilla, salted caramel... we chose coffee)
• ice cube trays
• brewed coffee, cooled, or homemade iced coffee

Step 2: Freeze Your Ice Cream in Ice Cube Trays

Let your ice cream soften a bit, so it's easy to work with. Divide it amongst your ice cube trays and pop it back into the freezer for a few hours to freeze completely.

Step 3: Remove Your Ice Cream

Remove your ice cream from the trays once frozen. Place in a mason jar or other sort of decorative cup to showcase your cubes and the coffee that will join them shortly.

Step 4: Create Your Affogato

Top your ice cream cubes with room temperature coffee. If you'd like, add a capful of liqueur, a dollop of whipped cream (or an alternative), or some ground coffee beans on top.

This is the perfect refreshing and reviving treat to enjoy after a big meal with friends and family. It couldn't be easier to make or tastier to drink. Plus, it makes for a fun conversation starter, as many people have not experienced it before.

Have any favorite post-dinner desserts you put your own spin on? Feel free to share them with us in the comments below.

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