drinks/recipes

Snowman Affogato

Posted January 5, 2017 by Stephanie

Snowman Affogato recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

Snowman Affogato recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

Snowman Affogato recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

Snowman Affogato recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

Snowman Affogato recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

Snowman Affogato recipe - www.iamafoodblog.com

Happy 2017! Are you guys ready for the new year? Good riddance to 2016, I say – I’m totally looking forward to a fresh start! I love new years, they’re always so clean and hopeful and pure, like snow. Speaking of snow, there isn’t a flake to be seen here in Tokyo, but back home in Vancouver, they’ve been having one of the snowiest/iciest winters in memory. I’m kind of sad we’re missing it because we both love snow.

Apparently the side streets have turned into impromptu ice rinks and the snow just keeps coming down. We did a short facetime call with my family on NYE and everyone we chatted with mentioned the snow, some a little bit happier than others about it. Meanwhile here, the temperature is floating around 14°C (that’s 57 for my American peeps).

We’ve been busy eating new years soba, checking out the celebrations at the local shrines, and catching glimpses of runners at the exciting end of the 93rd Hakone Ekiden, a 2 day, 200 km relay marathon from Tokyo to Hakone. Still, I miss the snow so fingers crossed for some colder weather.

Since we don’t have any chance of snow in the near future, I’m happy I made these little snowman ice cream dudes back when we were still in Vancouver. Mike and I really enjoy the combo of coffee and ice cream and everyone loves snowmen, so here we are. Side note, did you know that Japanese people make snowmen with just two balls, unlike the usual three balls we see? You may have noticed that the snowman emoji is only two balls! I think they look pretty cute with two balls, but it’s been forever since I’ve built a snowman. Hopefully we’ll get to a snowy enough place this year to make one!

Wishing you guys a peaceful, joyous new year, full of snow, if you want it!
xoxo steph

Snowman Affogatos
makes as many snowmen as needed


  • vanilla ice cream, or ice cream of choice
  • melted chocolate, for eyes
  • melted orange candy melts, for noses
  • pretzels, for arms if desired
  • coffee, or hot chocolate

Scoop out the vanilla ice cream into balls onto a cookie sheet or plate. Freeze until firm, at least 30 minutes. Pipe on faces, two eyes, a smile for a mouth, and a carrot nose. Work quick, before the ice cream melts to much. Place the ice cream balls back in the fridge and freeze until firm, preferably overnight. Make sure you cover with plastic wrap after a couple of hours if you’re going to be leaving them in the freezer for a long period of time.

When you’re ready for affogato time, prepare your coffee (or hot chocolate), pour into a mug, and pop in a snowman ice cream ball (with arms, if desired). Enjoy immediately!

12 Comments

  1. I’ve mentioned this before, but I’m going to say it again. More often than not, I connect to your blog in the uncanniest of ways. Last night we thought, hey, let’s nightcap with an affogato! So we pulled a shot of espresso, busted out the ice cream, and made one, even though we never make them at home. Granted, we get them when we go out occasionally, but even then it’s occasionally. I’m pretty certain you’ve bugged my home and this is an elaborate ruse or plot of the next Twilight Zone or Black Mirror. Or, coincidence. Either way, I’m a fan, keep it up ^-^

  2. Sanjay Kalita says:

    A very-very Happy New Year to you too steph! , the snowman’s are lookin’ cute on those tiny cups. I experienced a bit colder winter this year in Muscat, and ice cream and coffee “its strange”, but this year I am not gonna stop myself to try new things. Thanks for sharing this recipe and the unique new combination. (at least for myself)..

    Have a great year ahead…

  3. Oooh this looks so fun! I love your little snowmen they are just so cute. I’ll never forget the first time I had Affogato, a good friend brought it over for desert after one of our Sunday dinners. What a treat. Those snow men must melt pretty quickly ;)

  4. Monica says:

    This is so cute and wickedly clever! : ) Most importantly, thank you for giving me a very good reason to make affogato again very soon. Love this!

  5. Wow… you learn something new everyday. I’d never heard of affogato before, but I love the idea. I’ll have to try this one tomorrow. I’m curious to see how it tastes. Thank you!

  6. Neni says:

    This is the cutest thing ever. I´ll have to try it, immediately. Okay, it´s only 10 I´ll wait until the afternoon :D

  7. Kelly says:

    so cute! do you happen to have a picture of how the snowmen look like with pretzel arms? I want to make this for a party – but I don’t know if it’s worth the look to buy a bag of pretzels haha

    1. Stephanie says:

      ooh, i don’t! but i liked eating the pretzels alongside with, so there’s that :) if you like pretzels, i say go for it, if not, they’re super cute without!

  8. Maria says:

    Cutest thing ever!!!! Baaah…. my family will just die when i make this for them! Yay! Also, loving that this is 90% make ahead! Just pull the espresso shots and voilla!

  9. Andre says:

    Amazing! you made the last days of my winter! …though I can always have affogato in summer. Great recipe! :)

  10. Beatrice says:

    Wow so cute!!!!
    It is so beautiful that I can not eat it!
    I love it.

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