Line your ingredients up and let everyone pick and choose
It’s simple, interactive, and always a talking point – a great way to end a meal with friends and family.
The affogato spread is the dessert I turn to most often at this time of year. It’s simple, interactive, and always a talking point – a great way to end a meal with friends and family. There’s something so joyful about laying out a spread of toppings and letting everyone create their own combinations. And while it looks impressive, it’s really just clever assembling: a handful of good-quality ingredients to dress up some gelato, with coffee and liqueur to bring it all together – a classic Italian finish to a meal. Easy, unfussy, and perfect for those long, warm summer evenings.
Select toppings based on what you like – or what you have on hand. Buy the best quality vanilla ice cream you can.
This is perfect following my no-cook puttanesca pasta.
Affogato party spread
Ingredients
- 30ml strong black coffee per person
- A selection of liqueurs of your choice – my favourites are Amaretto, Frangelico and Mr Black
- A variety of crunchy items such as chocolate-covered honeycomb, amaretti biscuits, biscotti, shortbreads, chocolate-coated nuts, honey-roasted nuts
- Dark chocolate
- Good quality vanilla ice cream, 1-2 scoops per person
Method
Prepare your coffee. I prefer to serve it hot so it melts the ice cream, but it works well cold, too. Lay out your chosen liqueurs. Place the crunchy items in individual bowls. Serve the dark chocolate with a grater, allowing guests to zest it over their ice cream.
Now, simply let your guests build their own affogato to their liking – starting with ice cream, followed by their liqueur of choice, coffee, a crunchy item, and a finish of freshly grated chocolate. Eat immediately.
Serves any number, adjust as needed