When you’re craving a refreshing frozen treat, a simple coffee granita hits the spot.
A granita is a classic Italian frozen dessert that can be flavored with fresh fruit, liquors and juices, but we love the coffee granita in particular because it has the added benefit of a little caffeine boost. A batch can be made with just two ingredients: freshly brewed espresso and sugar. When placed in the freezer and stirred occasionally, the sweetened espresso transforms into a shaved ice-like treat that’s especially delicious when served with rich whipped cream.
Coffee granita is probably the simplest of all our no-bake dessert recipes, one that you can make ahead of time and keep in the freezer. It’s especially elegant when served in a pretty dessert dish. It’s also a perfect choice for a little afternoon pick-me-up or as a dessert on warm summer evenings.
Ingredients for Coffee Granita
- Espresso: Brew some espresso with your espresso maker, or with a smaller appliance like a French press, pour-over filter or Moka pot. Pick a blend that you love, because the flavor of the ground coffee beans will really shine through.
- Sugar: When it’s stirred into the hot espresso, granulated sugar dissolves quickly to lightly sweeten the dark coffee.
- Heavy whipping cream: Make a simple whipped cream by beating cold, heavy cream with a hand mixer or a wire whisk, if you’re feeling up to the task.
- Toppings: This granita is delicious as it is, but you can add optional toppings like ground cinnamon or chocolate shavings for extra flair.
Directions
Step 1: Sweeten the espresso
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Whisk the hot espresso and granulated sugar together in a small bowl until the sugar is dissolved. Pour the mixture into an 8-inch square dish or freezer container and cool the liquid to room temperature.
Step 2: Freeze and stir the espresso
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Place the pan of sweetened espresso in the freezer for an hour. Then, stir the mixture with a fork to break it up into small pieces.
Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home
Return it to the freezer for another two to three hours, stirring the mixture with a fork every 30 minutes, until the granita is completely frozen.
Step 3: Make the whipped cream
Pour the heavy whipping cream into a small bowl and beat it until soft peaks form.
Step 4: Serve the coffee granita
Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home
Stir the granita with a fork just before serving. Spoon it into dessert dishes. Garnish the granita with whipped cream and, if desired, sprinkle ground cinnamon or chocolate shavings over the top.
Editor’s Tip: You can also reverse the order and serve the granita on top of the whipped cream!
Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home
Coffee Granita Variations
- Make an espresso martini-inspired version: Stir two tablespoons of vodka and two tablespoons of coffee liqueur into the cooled espresso mixture,