Mudslide Affogato

“This post is sponsored by Häagen-Dazs® ice cream, encouraging life’s little luxuries.”

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, some days it can be hard to slow down long enough to enjoy the simplicity of a moment – especially as a mom of three very active children.  Most days I have a go-go-go mentality; not wanting to slow down but to make sure I stay on schedule. I seem to thrive best in the chaos of activity swirling around me.  Needless to say there is never a dull moment around here.

But every once in awhile I’m caught off guard by the beauty of a scenic drive, the contagious laughter of one of my kids, or  the luring of a spontaneous opportunity calling out to me to let loose just a little bit and have some fun.

Often times such opportunities present themselves in the form of an invitation by friends to go out for a couple hours of relaxing fun and being intentional about taking time to indulge in one of life’s little luxuries.

Whether it’s the occasional pedicure, going out for sushi, or being in the presence of friends in the glorious warmth of a beautiful Seattle day drinking wine and eating small plates, it doesn’t take much to slow down and enjoy a moment of treating myself in areas which bring me a lot of joy and satisfaction.  In fact, I believe it’s important to occasionally unwind and experience things I really enjoy doing .  It’s what I look most forward to at times to help me de-stress and to pick-me-up.  Life is sweeter this way.

What I have for you today is one of my most favorite cocktail desserts – Mudslide Affogatos.  Made with espresso, vodka, coffee liqueur, Irish cream, Häagen-Dazs® Coffee Ice Cream (my all-time favorite ice cream), and topped with chocolate shavings, this adult cocktail dessert not only satisfies my sweet tooth, it also satisfies my need to unwind.

I like to make this as an after-dinner dessert for my friends when we’re hosting, or more commonly for my husband and I after the kids have gone to bed.  Best way we enjoy eating this is by sitting on the couch watching a movie without the distraction of kids to interrupt our date.

It doesn’t take much to occasionally indulge in little luxuries, like this dessert, but when I do it goes a long way in helping me slow down to enjoy the moment in the company of those I’m surrounded with.

To make the affogato, pour a fresh shot of hot espresso.

Next, add a half tablespoon of each: vodka, Irish cream, and coffee liqueur to the espresso and stir the mix with a spoon.

Finally, pour the hot espresso cocktail over a scoop of ice cream and top it off with chocolate shavings.  Best coffee ice cream cocktail dessert, ever.

Would love to hear the special ways you incorporate life’s little luxuries into your life.  Feel free to share them in the comment section below.

PS:  If you happen to love Häagen-Dazs® ice cream like I do, you can declare your favorite flavor on Häagen-Dazs® Inspiration Boards on Pinterest.