Gingerbread Coffee Affogato with Triple Ginger Cookie Thins

Last Updated on June 29, 2022 by Rebecca Huff

Sitting in an ice cream shop in Charleston, South Carolina is where I had my first classic affogato. The in house vanilla ice cream melting sweetly and perfectly into the hot espresso. What a divine treat! To be honest, I have never had another as good as that first experience! Perhaps because “firsts” are always best.

I've learned to make affogato at home, varying the flavors. One of my favorites is the Chocolate Chai Affogato in the Bollywood Kitchen Cookbook Review I wrote earlier this year. Highly recommend, five out of five stars!

Typically affogato is made with gelato or ice cream and a shot of hot espresso. We're going to use strong coffee in place of the shot of espresso because not everyone has an espresso machine.

Variations

If you want to make this affogato low-carb or Keto get Rebel or Halo Top brands and leave off the cookie. No problemo! You could also top it with a Keto Cookie! Also, you could serve it with a bit of dark chocolate on the side, just a small square. Another variation would be to top with chocolate shavings

Around Christmas, Trader Joe's brings out their gingerbread coffee. When I saw it this year the idea of a little gingerbread man swimming in an affogato popped into my mind. I couldn't find gingerbread men, but what I found works beautifully.

Along with the coffee grab some Triple Ginger Cookie Thins. They are so crip and gingery. They almost dissolve when they get in the coffee so if you want them crisp, serve them on the side.

Choose a vanilla bean or French vanilla ice cream. We got our vanilla bean ice cream while we are there. Alternatively, Talenti also makes a nice vanilla gelato.

Gelato is an Italian dessert much like ice cream only it has a bit less fat than ice cream. Choose vanilla gelato if you want to make this dessert with gelato instead of ice cream. You could use vanilla ice cream or even my maple syrup sweetened homemade vanilla ice cream. 

If you can't find the Triple Ginger Cookie Thins, you can biscotti as it has a similar flavor. I've never had an affogato served to me with a topping. Still, desserts are fun to jazz up. So, top with either whipped cream if you're feeling fancy. Then garnish with shaved chocolate or a sprig of mint to go all the way!

Tipsy Affogato Ideas

Around holiday time people tend to appreciate a little more cheer in their beverages. 

For those who want to make a tipsy affogato, choose Kahlua, Amaretto, Baileys or another liqueur. Feel free to experiment with your favorites.

Affogato recipe

As I mentioned, I don't have an espresso machine, so I use strong brewed coffee but if you have an espresso machine, by all means, use it!

Sip it or eat it with a spoon! Either way, you're going to enjoy every single drop!

Don't scoop ice cream into your glasses or coffee cups until you're ready to put it all together. I like to use these clear glasses because it's so pretty when you pour in the coffee and the ice cream melts. 

NOTES:

If your freezer is available, chill your glasses before preparing the dessert.

This is just a recommended serving size if you want, use as many scoops of ice cream as you like.