Vanilla Affogato from Green House Coffee + Affogato Bar

As the finicky Missouri weather oscillates between blazing hot and a little chilly this time of year, I often instantaneously crave something cold and something warm at once. That’s why an affogato from Green House Coffee + Affogato Bar (431 S. Jefferson Ave., Springfield, Suite 172; 417-763-8032) is my go-to dessert in early fall. But it’s not just any affogato that will cure my hankering for sugar—it’s the coconut vanilla affogato with a pour of chai topped with caramel sauce and toasted coconut. The coconut vanilla ice cream is vegan since it has a coconut milk base, but it’s just as delectable as the real deal. I love adding the toasted coconut on top because it magnifies the flavors in the ice cream. Since a pour of chai contains less caffeine than a shot of espresso, I find that I can enjoy this dessert after dinner and still sleep soundly.