How to Make the Perfect Coffee Granita
Italian · Easy · 255 min · 6 servings
This coffee granita is an elegant Italian frozen treat that is kid friendly when made with decaf and absolutely beloved by the whole family on a hot afternoon. Kids get a big kick out of the dramatic dark color and the satisfying crunch of scraped coffee ice crystals topped with a cloud of sweet whipped cream.
Why this recipe works
This Coffee Granita recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 255 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 120 calories with 1g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2 cups strong brewed coffee or decaf cooled
- 0.33 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
- 0.75 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tbsp powdered sugar
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Sweeten the Coffee
While the brewed coffee is still hot, add the granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Let the mixture cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 20 minutes until cold.
Step 2: Pour and Begin Freezing
Pour the cooled coffee mixture into a wide shallow freezer safe baking dish. Place it in the freezer uncovered. After 45 minutes check the edges and use a fork to scrape any frozen portions toward the center.
Step 3: Scrape Every 30 Minutes
Continue scraping the granita with a fork every 30 to 45 minutes, dragging from the outside edges inward and breaking up any large ice chunks, until the entire dish is fluffy and made up of fine separate coffee crystals. This will take about 3 hours total.
Step 4: Whip the Cream and Serve
Just before serving beat the heavy cream and powdered sugar together until soft peaks form. Spoon the coffee granita into chilled glasses and top generously with the softly whipped cream. Serve immediately while the granita is at its freshest fluffiest texture.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- strong brewed coffee → decaf espresso or decaf cold brew concentrate diluted with water for a kid safe version
- heavy whipping cream → coconut whipped cream for a dairy free topping option
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Brewing weak coffee which results in a pale watery granita with flat flavor lacking depth
- Leaving the granita too long between scraping sessions which causes it to freeze into a solid mass that is hard to break up
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 120 calories, 1g protein, 22g carbs, 4g fat, 0g fiber.
Ready to cook?
Get the interactive recipe with adjustable servings, built-in timers, and ingredient checklist.
View full recipe →