Traditional Affogato Recipe
Vanilla ice cream served with espresso and a sesame cookie
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Ingredients
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Affogato
Sesame Cookie
Garnish (optional)
Method
Place the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir constantly until fragrant and lightly golden, about 2–3 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool.
In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes with a hand mixer or 4–5 minutes by hand.
Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until combined and smooth.
Fold in the flour and a pinch of salt until a soft dough forms. Stir in 3/4 of the toasted sesame seeds, reserving the rest for topping.
On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a log about 3 cm (1¼ inch) in diameter, or form small disks (about 4 cm / 1.5 in across) depending on preferred cookie size.
Chill the shaped dough for 15–20 minutes to make slicing and holding shape easier.
Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Slice the log into rounds (if using a log) about 5 mm thick, or place formed disks on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle reserved sesame seeds over the tops. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Allow cookies to cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
Affogato Assembly
Chill serving glass
Place the serving glass or small bowl in the freezer for 5–10 minutes before assembling to keep the ice cream from melting too quickly.
Brew espresso
Brew a fresh double espresso (approximately 60 ml). If you don't have an espresso machine, make a very strong 60 ml coffee with a Moka pot or Aeropress. Optionally stir in up to 1 tsp granulated sugar into the espresso while it's hot if you prefer a sweeter affogato.
Pour espresso
Immediately pour the hot espresso over the ice cream at the table so the steam and aroma are enjoyed. Pour steadily to create a contrast of hot espresso and cold ice cream; the ice cream will partially melt into a creamy coffee sauce.
Serve the baked sesame cookie on the side or perched against the ice cream. Scatter the remaining toasted sesame seeds over the top and sprinkle dark chocolate shavings if using.
Serve
Serve immediately with a small spoon. Encourage guests to break the cookie into the affogato or dip it into the melted espresso-ice cream mixture.