Gingerbread Affogato

Gingerbread Affogato is a hot and cold Italian dessert with a fun holiday twist! Freshly brewed espresso and Kahlua is poured over sweet caramel ice cream, then finished with a sparkling gingerbread man! Sweet, sweet indulgence is just one spoonful away!

If you are a lover of gingerbread, serve these at your next Gingerbread House Making Party!

Why you’ll love gingerbread cafe affogato

Classic Italian treat! Affogato is one of the most popular Italian coffee based desserts. It is when hot espresso is poured over a scoop of vanilla gelato (‘affogato’ literally means ‘drowned’ in Italian). Simple and classic, while also being incredibly elegant.

Fun and festive! With all that being said, I took the inspiration of affogato and gave it a holiday spin. Caramel ice cream is used in place of the vanilla gelato, while Kahlua adds a punchy spiked aspect. And since gingerbread is one of my absolute favorite holiday flavors (hello, gingerbread Chex mix), I had to add a gingerbread man cookie and some warming cinnamon on top to finish.

Hot and cold! Besides being beautiful to look at, the beauty of an affogato is all about the temperature contrasts. You get icy cold ice cream against warm espresso or coffee. A special after dinner treat that is so pleasing to the senses!

Ingredients

The ingredients for gingerbread affogato al caffe requires just a short stop shop to the grocery store for some seasonal treats. You will need:

• Caramel ice cream
• Freshly brewed espresso
• Kahlua
• Gingerbread cookies
• Cinnamon

Ingredient substitutions and notes:

• Ice Cream: I love the sweet caramel ice cream against bitter espresso, but use your favorite flavor like vanilla, chocolate, or even pumpkin!
• Espresso: Use freshly brewed espresso for the best flavor or about 2 oz (1/4 cup) super strong coffee.
• Liquor: Coffee liqueur adds a touch of fun and plays to the adult palate. You could also try Baileys or Tia Maria, or hazelnut liqueur like Frangelico.
• Spice: Cinnamon adds warmth and a final touch of natural sweetness.

How to make

Grab your favorite glass and make this gingerbread affogato in just a few minutes! Here’s how to do it:

Scoop ice cream: Add scoops of ice cream to the bottom of a glass or coffee mug.

Pour over: Top with espresso and Kahlua, if using.

Finish with a cookie: Top with a gingerbread man cookie and a pinch of ground cinnamon. Enjoy!

Serving suggestions

This Christmas affogato is just so gorgeous, I had to guild the lily and serve it up in one of my favorite coupe glasses. It really adds that touch of elegance, especially during the holiday season.

If you don’t have any cocktail glasses on hand, use your favorite coffee mug in it’s place!

Recipe tips & notes:

• Use hot espresso or coffee: This gives it the signature hot and cold counterpoints. Plus, the warm liquid melts the ice cream ever so slightly, making it all the more luxurious to eat.
• Go for your favorite ice cream flavor: Use whatever you already have in your freezer – or opt for a specialty holiday flavor.
• Top with a gingerbread man: Not only is it adorable, but also gives you a chance to dunk and eat that gingerbread cookie right alongside ice cream and espresso.

Looking for more espresso recipes? Check these out!

• Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
• Espresso Martini
• Gingerbread Layer Cake with Espresso Buttercream

If you make this Gingerbread Affogato recipe, be sure to tag me on Pinterest and Instagram!

I seriously love seeing what you guys are making and sharing your creations with the College Housewife community!