Welcome to the world of Café Granita, a delightful Italian coffee slush that's perfect for beating the summer heat. This semi-frozen treat originated in Sicily, where it's traditionally enjoyed as a breakfast item or a midday pick-me-up.
Our recipe uses freshly brewed espresso, providing a rich coffee flavor that's balanced with just the right amount of sweetness. We recommend using a medium-dark roast coffee for its robust flavor profile. The key to achieving the perfect granita texture lies in the freezing and scraping process, which creates delicate ice crystals that melt in your mouth. This method results in a light, refreshing dessert that captures the essence of Italian summer indulgence.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Here's why you'll fall in love with this Café Granita:
- Refreshingly cool: Perfect for hot summer days
- Rich coffee flavor: Uses freshly brewed espresso for an authentic taste
- Easy to make: Simple ingredients and no special equipment required
- Customizable: Can be adjusted to your preferred sweetness level
- Impressive presentation: Looks elegant and sophisticated, perfect for entertaining
Café Granita
Equipment
- Espresso machine or Moka pot
- Medium bowl
- Shallow freezer-safe dish
- Fork
- Chilled glasses for serving
Ingredients
- 2 cups freshly brewed espresso
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Whipped cream for garnish (optional)
- Chocolate shavings for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine hot espresso and sugar. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved.
- Add vanilla extract and stir to combine.
- Pour the mixture into a shallow, freezer-safe dish and place in the freezer.
- After 30 minutes, remove the dish and use a fork to scrape any ice crystals that have formed around the edges into the center.
- Return to the freezer and repeat this process every 30 minutes for about 3-4 hours, or until the mixture is completely frozen and has a slushy consistency.
- Before serving, scrape the granita one final time to create a light, fluffy texture.
- Spoon into chilled glasses and garnish with whipped cream and chocolate shavings if desired. Serve immediately.
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