Salted Caramel Affogato

Drizzles of homemade salted caramel sauce, rich espresso, and creamy vanilla ice cream come together in this salted caramel affogato.

Save this recipe for later using the ‘save to recipe box’ button. If you make it, please let me know by leaving a comment + star rating below the recipe card. This only takes moments and helps support my website so much!

Let’s just call it what it is: this madness we’ve got going on here today is complete heaven on earth. 

As if affogato didn’t have my heart enough already, then we’ve got to throw a homemade salted caramel sauce into the mix? HOLD ME.

Dessert lovers, please prepare yourself for this one. This dessert has caramel, coffee, and ice cream in it and it’s one of those things you’ll quickly find yourself addicted to if you’re not careful.

Or….just throw caution to the wind and let the good affogato times roll.

This Affogato Features…

• Thick drizzles of warm homemade salted caramel
• Rich brewed espresso
• Creamy scoops of vanilla ice cream

Making the Affogato

(scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe)

Ingredients You Will Need

• Granulated sugar
• Unsalted butter
• Heavy whipping cream
• Kosher salt
• Vanilla ice cream
• Espresso

Espresso Options

If you have access to it, I highly recommend using an espresso machine for this recipe. You just can’t beat the quality that fresh espresso brings to affogato!

Other options include very strong-brewed coffee, cold brew concentrate, or instant espresso. You will need about 1.5 oz for whatever option you go with.

Tips for Perfect Affogato

1. Use a heavy-bottom saucepan for caramel – this ensures even heat distribution when cooking the caramel.
2. Temp caramel with a candy thermometer – using a candy thermometer ensures that the caramel reaches soft-ball stage at 235F.
3. Warm caramel for serving – the caramel will stiffen as it cools and you will need to reheat it for serving. Warm the caramel over low heat in a saucepan or heat 10-20 seconds in microwave until caramel reaches drizzling consistency.
4. Serve affogato immediately – the espresso and caramel will rapidly melt the ice cream so it’s best if served immediately after assembly.

Recipe Variations

Try these ideas for a different twist on this affogato.

• Use a premade caramel sauce – you can easily replace the homemade recipe with jarred caramel sauce.
• Try a different ice cream – try a gelato or frozen yogurt.
• Add chocolate – add a dusting of cocoa powder or chocolate shavings.

It’s that moment where you’re pouring the rich dark espresso over the scoops of ice cream where it feels like pretty much everything in life is clicking, ya know?

Then comes that drizzle of caramel…and you know you’ve gotta be in heaven.

Save this recipe for later using the ‘save to recipe box’ button. If you make it, please let me know by leaving a comment + star rating below the recipe card. This only takes moments and helps support my website so much!

More ice cream desserts you’ll love!

• Coconut Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwiches
• Snickerdoodle Ice Cream Sandwiches
• Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

This post was updated with new recipe adjustments and photos on 8/5/26.