Deconstructed coffee ice cream. That’s what this is.
Espresso, sugar and cream combine forces to make a simple frozen treat that will have people coming back for more.
I can’t imagine a better treat eaten under strings of outdoor lanterns on a warm summer evening. This is how I’d want to have coffee in the morning on a super hot summer day. Can you really blame me?
Hooray for three ingredient recipes. That’s what summer living is all about!
Brew your espresso. If you don’t have espresso, you can use instant espresso. Just make 2 cups worth. If you don’t have instant espresso, I imagine really strong coffee would do the trick here.
In a mixing bowl, mix your espresso with the sugar. Let it dissolve. It works really well if your espresso is hot.
Pour the sugary espresso into a glass dish. I used a pie plate because I wanted my espresso to freeze faster.
After about 6 hours in the freezer, it’s set. You can do this overnight and prepare everything right before serving.
Scrape the espresso into a granita using a fork.
Make a little whipped cream. Don’t whip it TOO much. We wanna simulate the froth of a nice cappuccino.
Add a dollop of whipped cream on top of each dish.
So simple. So satisfying. SO DELICIOUSLY EASY.
Want to jazz it up? Top the whipped cream with a little bit of fresh orange zest. How about reducing the sugar and adding a little homemade amaretto in?
Stir the coffee and 1/2 cup of the sugar together to dissolve the sugar,and pour the mixture into a Pyrex baking dish or other flat pan. Taste for sweetness. It should be rather sweet; add more sugar if necessary. Cover and put in the freezer for up to 6 hours or overnight.
When granita is set, pull the dish from the freezer and let it thaw a bit. When it’s just a bit mushy, scrape with a fork. Then return the dish to the freezer until ready to serve.
Beat the heavy cream in a small bowl until just set. You don’t want a stiff whipped cream for this recipe. Scoop the granita into small cups and top with a dollop or two of whipped cream.
Sounds like the perfect way to cool off in the summer! love simple recipes!
So easy and so fun looking! Yum!
i am in LOVE with this – and you’re right, 3 ingredients are what it’s all about. totally making this for dessert sometime this week!
I think this would be fabulous with a little sprinkle of cinnamon on top. yumm.
I can’t wait to make this. Holy moly it looks good!
Classy, simple, and delicious… YUM!
Love this. And I have that book! Gonna have to try this soon.
Isn’t that book amazing? I think this is the 6th recipe I’ve made from it. They’re all winners.
OH my GOSH, TRACY! This is such an amazing idea! I cannot wait to try this.
You probably have to be careful not to eat too much of the granita, or else you’d be flying off the walls with caffeine!
Yeah! You totally have to be careful. I ate a cup before I went on a plane and was BUZZING!!
Ha! That’s all it takes?
I mean, I’m always excited by your recipes, but this one sounds like my heaven. Mmmm. Tracy, you rule.
This looks delicious – a great easy way to put my fancy pants new espresso machine to work! Have you thought about doing any coffee tutorials? You are always drinking such lovely looking beverages from your espresso machine but I can’t seem to figure mine out!
Maybe I will one day! To be honest…I make a lot of Americanos because I have no time in the morning to steam milk. Cappuccinos are usually my weekend treat. The husband is REALLY good at making them.
So cute!!! So So Cute!!
this is exactly how I want my morning coffee every summer day!
Do you have any recommendations for an espresso machine? This treat along with the machine would make my husband very happy on Father’s Day.
this post makes me wish I liked coffee. sad face. I can imagine how this would be soooo good!
Love your polka dot mugs! Do you remember where you got ’em?
Doing this before summer is over!
Already sold on most anything I can make ahead of time, and this looks like it’s begging for a brunch to go with it.
This looks delicious! That recipe book has been on my Amazon wish list for a long time, I think it’s time to purchase!
I love this and will definitely be making it this weekend, when it will be 90 degrees and humid! I agree with the request for a tutorial on how to make espresso drinks – also, how do you clean your machine? Just let it steam for a while?
I’ll have my husband help you out. He’s the espresso machine master!
Thanks, Tracy! I am learning so much reading your site!
– this looks amaz! I need to make it Thursday to impress the in-laws.
Thanks for listening/commenting!!! much love!
I have never been tempted to make granita until I saw this. I think I have to try it this weekend…or tonight.
I know this post is old, but where did you get those polka dotted mugs?? They are adorable!
Thank you! My mother in law gifted them to me. I think she got them at One King’s Lane a while back!