This salted caramel cold brew Coffee Affogato is a treat meant for summer! Cold brew coffee keeps the ice cream from melting quickly, leaving you time to truly enjoy this invigorating java dessert!
And so it begins. The hot & humid throes of Florida summer.
The season only just officially started, but already it’s unbearable to even be outdoors. Unless you’re a tourist, of course, who for some reason chose the worst part of the year to visit. And if you are one of those tourists, I salute you. Happy summer vacay.
I also think you’re out of your mind. You can’t even truly enjoy an ice cream cone down here unless you’ve got eating contest experience and can cram the whole scoop in your mouth at once.
There is one nice thing about living down here. In the cooler months (all two of them,) we can actually sit outside (no mosquitos!) and savor every lick of ice cream before it starts melting and oozing everywhere. All down the cone, all over your hands. Leaving chocolate stains on your favorite shirt…
Personally, I even switch to iced coffee when it gets hotter. I’m a caffeine hound, but even a hot cup o’ joe is too much for me in our muggy, tropical climate.
Of course, an affogato is also a good way to cool down your morning cup. Have you ever tried affogato?
What is coffee affogato?
We’re talking about an Italian coffee-based dessert that is absolutely approved as being OK for breakfast!
Traditionally, an affogato (Italian for drowned) is made up of two ingredients: a scoop of gelato literally “drowned” and a pool of hot espresso. It’s melty, creamy, mocha goodness that messes with your taste buds in such a lovely way.
And you can’t beat luscious ice cream mixed with the life-giving liquid that is espresso.
I’m obsessed with affogato. I had a caramel flavored one in England a few years ago, and I’ve never recovered, which probably explains my almost equal obsession with frozen cappuccino and iced coffee.
So presents the dilemma of living in this sauna we call my home state. How can I really enjoy this treat if I’m melting the only part that cools it off with a good dose of hot espresso?
We cool down by using cold brew coffee, that’s how.
Meaning this coffee affogato can be completely enjoyed until the last bite, even on the back porch in the middle of July. The cold brew doesn’t melt the salted caramel ice cream nearly as quickly, and instead forms almost a protective, icy shell around it if you let it sit for a couple minutes after you pour. And then it all blooms together and looks so creamy and elegant.
Hello, happy tongue. (Don’t forget the chocolate shavings for even more flavor!)
And if all else fails, and the summer heat turns it all to liquid? It still makes for one amazing caramel mocha milkshake.
Ingredients
- Salted caramel ice cream – you can use any ice cream flavor here that you like best, store-bought or homemade
- Cold brew coffee – buy it premade or make your own
- Chocolate shavings – optional as a garnish
How to make coffee affogato
- Place 2 scoops of ice cream into a bowl or large serving glass.
- Slowly top with cold brew coffee.
- Allow it to sit for 3-5 minutes, then sprinkle on some chocolate shavings and enjoy.
What’s the best ice cream to use in affogato?
The short answer is: your favorite. I use salted caramel here, but it’s such an easy recipe to customize! Vanilla, chocolate, or nut-based flavors (think pistachio, butter pecan, or hazelnut) will be the easiest to pair the coffee flavors – I would steer away from most fruit flavors.
As far as types of ice cream, standard is great, but gelato and frozen yogurt are also fun to try! Use whatever you’ve got!
What’s the best coffee for affogato?
Traditionally, this recipe calls for strong brewed espresso, but you can easily get away with using your favorite daily coffee. I rarely ever finish a pot of coffee, so I usually end up with a good amount that goes in the fridge for the next morning’s iced coffee – unless I decide I’m feeling an affogato.
Can I add alcohol to my affogato?
What a silly question, of course you can! In fact, I encourage it. This is a dessert recipe, so liqueurs like Bailey’s Irish Cream, Kahlua, and amaretto are perfect for it, but a splash of bourbon or dark rum would be just as delish, in my opinion!
More coffee-forward desserts!
If you love this recipe, please consider leaving a 5 STAR RATING! If you really love it, leave us a comment and let us know – we appreciate all forms of feedback!
LET’S CONNECT!
Join in on the fun in our Facebook group! Feel free to share YOUR favorite recipes, ask questions, help out your fellow home cooks, and see what’s new with The Crumby Kitchen (so that you never miss a new recipe)! If you’d like to check it out, you can request to join HERE.
ORDER OUR #1 BEST SELLER COOKBOOK!
Also, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and tag #crumbykitchen so we can see all the wonderful recipes YOU recreate from this site!
You can also enjoy exclusive content before anyone else by subscribing to our weekly newsletter – and you’ll never miss a delicious recipe again!
Salted Caramel Cold Brew Affogato
Ingredients
- 2 scoops salted caramel ice cream
- 1 cup cold brew coffee
- Chocolate shavings for garnish
Instructions
- Place 2 scoops of ice cream into a bowl or large servings glass. Slowly top with cold brew coffee. Allow to sit for 3-5 minutes, then top with chocolate shavings and enjoy.
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
This would be perfect for summer!
Maria says
This is a gorgeous recipe!