Snowman Affogato

Snowman Affogato

I'm melting...from the cute! A quick and easy ice cream affogato for a fun winter treat.

makes as many snowmen as neededtotal time: 15 minutes plus overnight freeze

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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 Affogatosmakes as many snowmen as neededprep time: overnight freezeactive time: 15 minutestotal time: 15 minutes plus overnight freeze

• 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!