Indulge in a refreshing and invigorating treat with this coffee granita recipe. Perfect for hot summer days or as a delightful dessert, this icy concoction combines the rich flavors of coffee with a hint of vanilla sweetness. It's easy to make and requires minimal ingredients, making it an ideal choice for coffee lovers looking to try something new.
The ingredients for this coffee granita are simple and likely already in your pantry. However, if you don't have vanilla extract on hand, you might need to pick some up at the supermarket. This ingredient adds a subtle depth of flavor to the granita, enhancing the overall taste experience.
Ingredients for Coffee Granita Recipe
Coffee: The base of the granita, providing a rich and robust flavor. Use strong brewed coffee for the best results.
Sugar: Sweetens the granita and helps create the icy texture. Adjust the amount to your taste preference.
Vanilla extract: Adds a hint of sweetness and complexity to the granita, balancing the bitterness of the coffee.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When preparing granita, ensure that your coffee is brewed strong to maintain a robust flavor after freezing. Use a shallow dish to allow the mixture to freeze evenly and quickly. Scraping with a fork at regular intervals is crucial to achieve the desired fluffy texture, preventing large ice crystals from forming.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
cooled strong brewed coffee - Substitute with strong brewed tea: Provides a similar depth of flavor with a different taste profile.
cooled strong brewed coffee - Substitute with espresso: Offers a more intense coffee flavor.
sugar - Substitute with honey: Adds a natural sweetness and a slight floral note.
sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Imparts a rich, caramel-like sweetness.
vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Provides a nutty and slightly sweet flavor.
vanilla extract - Substitute with cinnamon: Adds warmth and a hint of spice.
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How to Store / Freeze This Dessert
Ensure your coffee granita is fully frozen and fluffy before considering storage. This will help maintain its delightful texture.
Transfer the granita to an airtight container. This prevents any unwanted freezer odors from seeping in and keeps the dessert fresh.
Label the container with the date. While coffee granita can last up to a month in the freezer, it's always good to keep track of its age.
When you're ready to enjoy, let the granita sit at room temperature for a few minutes. This softens it slightly, making it easier to scrape and serve.
If the granita has hardened too much, use a fork to scrape it again, restoring its fluffy texture.
Avoid storing the granita near strong-smelling foods like onions or garlic. Even in an airtight container, some odors can permeate and alter the flavor.
For a twist, consider layering the granita with other frozen desserts like sorbet or ice cream. Store these layered creations in the same manner for a delightful, multi-textured treat.
If you have leftover granita that has melted slightly, refreeze it and scrape it again to regain its fluffy consistency.
How to Reheat Leftovers
If you have leftover coffee granita, the best way to enjoy it again is to let it thaw slightly at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes. This will soften the ice crystals, making it easier to scrape and fluff up again.
Alternatively, you can place the container in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to an hour. This will gently thaw the granita without melting it too much, preserving its fluffy texture.
If you're in a hurry, you can use a microwave on the defrost setting for short bursts of 10-15 seconds. Be cautious not to overdo it, as you don't want to melt the granita completely.
Once the granita has softened, use a fork to scrape and fluff it up again, restoring its delightful, icy texture.
For an added twist, you can mix in a splash of freshly brewed coffee or espresso to refresh the flavor and enhance the coffee aroma before serving.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Mixing bowl: Use this to combine the coffee, sugar, and vanilla extract until the sugar dissolves.
Whisk: This will help you mix the ingredients thoroughly.
Shallow dish: Pour the mixture into this dish to ensure it freezes evenly and allows for easy scraping.
Fork: Use this to scrape the mixture every 30 minutes to break up the ice crystals and achieve the granita texture.
Freezer: Essential for freezing the coffee mixture and turning it into granita.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Use instant coffee: Substitute strong brewed coffee with instant coffee to save brewing time.
Quick dissolve: Dissolve sugar in hot coffee before cooling to speed up the process.
Shallow dish: Use a wide, shallow dish to freeze the mixture faster.
Pre-chill utensils: Pre-chill your fork and dish to help the granita freeze quicker.
Skip vanilla: Omit vanilla extract if you're in a hurry; it adds flavor but isn't essential.
Coffee Granita Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups strong brewed coffee cooled
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix coffee, sugar, and vanilla extract until sugar dissolves.
- Pour mixture into a shallow dish and place in the freezer.
- After 30 minutes, scrape the mixture with a fork to break up ice crystals.
- Repeat scraping every 30 minutes for about 2 hours, until the granita is fully frozen and fluffy.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Main Courses
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