This super easy Italian coffee dessert Granita is delicious and light and the perfect ending to any meal or celebration.
What is Granita? It is an Italian semi-frozen dessert/drink made from sugar, water, and in this case, coffee/espresso, and various flavorings- my choice, Kahlua, or any coffee liquor or combination of liquors! Top it off with whipped cream, and that is my idea of a celebration!
This recipe is so simple, all you need is cold coffee/espresso, sugar, coffee liquor, and heavy whipping cream or ready-made whipped cream and that's it! Put it in the freezer and scrape it several times- (see recipe below), and you are done!
I recently served this dessert at a Fourth of July celebration and it was a hit!
I am sure my guests thought I spent a lot of time on this dessert, and your guests will think the same. It will be our secret!!
What will you need? 8-inch square Glass baking pan or larger 11 x 17-inch pan if you want to double it as I do! A mixer if you are going to make your own whipped cream.
Ingredients for an 8-inch Pan
2 cups of strong brewed coffee or espresso, warm or cooled
2/3 cups of sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
2-4 Tablespoons of coffee liqueur such as Kahlua
One tub of Cool Whip Topping or a can of whipped cream or *homemade whipped cream- see below for ingredients.
Cinnamon, chocolate flakes, or mint leaves for garnish
*Homemade whipped cream:
1 quart of heavy whipping cream
8 tablespoons of sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Directions:
Mix together the espresso, sugar, vanilla, and coffee liquor in a bowl until dissolved. Pour the liquid into the 8-inch (or larger if you doubled the recipe) glass baking dish.
2. Put into the freezer. Every 30 minutes to an hour, remove the dish from the freezer and
use a fork to scrape and break up the ice crystals.
3. Repeat until the mixture is thoroughly frozen and broken up- 4 hours or so.
4. Cover and leave in the freezer until ready to serve.
5. Whip heavy whipping cream:
Whip the heavy whipping cream with the eight tablespoons of sugar, on medium-high then high speed using a mixer. Add the vanilla if desired. Whip for a couple of minutes until you get medium peaks- when you lift the beaters or whisk and the whipped cream mixture stays on the beaters. If you whip too much, the mixture will be curdled. *If you want to skip this step- just substitute with Cool Whip topping.
6. Spoon the Granita into small glasses. Add one or two tablespoons more of the coffee liqueur if desired. Spoon in whipped cream and garnish with chocolate shavings, cinnamon, mint leaves, etc. Serve immediately and Buon Appetito!!
Happy Weekend!
Bon appetit and Enjoy!!
😘p
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