coffee granita with whipped cream

coffee granita with whipped cream comes to you straight from Rome!

coffee granita with whipped cream in a jelly jar on a mini cake stand

I have such love for this recipe for coffee granita with whipped cream – and so excited to be sharing it with you!

what is granita?

Granita is an icy dessert, typically made from sugar, water and fruit – although we are going to use coffee here in place of water!

coffee granita in a ceramic baking dish

is granita the same as sorbet?

Other than the fact that they are both frozen desserts, granita and sorbet are very different. Sorbet is typically churned, making it smooth in texture and without any icy crystals.
Granita, on the other hand, is ALL icy crystals. It’s made in a similar fashion to shaved ice, and results in a very distinctive (and delicious!) texture.

what’s in granita?

A typical granita recipe consists of three ingredients – a simple syrup (made from sugar and water), blended with fruit, fruit juice or a fruit puree. For this “granita di caffe” we are using simply fresh brewed coffee and sugar.

I have this treat every day when I’m in Rome!

My hands-down favorite coffee shop in Rome is Tazza d’Oro. It is around the corner from my favorite building – the Pantheon – and where I start each day. I also do my best to make it back there sometime in the afternoon for a “granita di caffe con panna” – or coffee granita with whipped cream – as it is the perfect summer midday treat!

how do you make it?

You’ll start by dissolving granulated sugar into fresh brewed coffee or espresso, and pouring the mixture into a shallow baking dish. Pop it in the freezer and let it sit for about an hour. Here’s where the fun begins! To achieve the signature icy crystals you need to break up the mixture periodically as it starts to freeze. I usually do this 2 or 3 times before letting it freeze overnight.
Once frozen, scrape with a fork, transfer to a bowl and pop back in the freezer till ready to serve! This dish is layered with “panna”, or lightly sweetened whipped cream and is basically heaven on earth – you must try it!

coffee granita in a ceramic baking dish

frequently asked questions!

can I use decaffeinated coffee instead of regular?

Sure! Any kind of coffee will work, as long as it's a strong brew so that the flavor comes through!

can you make this in advance?

Yes and no. The granita can be made and kept in the freezer for weeks. And the whipped cream can be made up to a day in advance (though I prefer to make it no sooner than earlier on the day I plan to serve). But once you've layered the two you want to serve it immediately. I've never tried my frozen whipped cream tip here (check the notes for the link), but I think it could work too!

can you add any flavorings to the whipped cream recipe?

Traditionally, this dish is served with barely sweetened whipped cream. But you do you! Vanilla whipped cream, peppermint or even chocolate would probably be delicious!

can you serve this with ice cream instead of (or in addition to) the whipped cream?

Again, not the 'classic' way to serve but I will proudly admit that I've layered granita with ice cream (coffee and vanilla) and it is chef's kiss - do it!

coffee granita and whipped cream in pyrex bowls

It’s hot as blazes this July, and I can’t think of a more perfect way to cool off than with this beloved dessert – it is one of my favorite frozen treats ever and I know you’ll love it too. Let me know if you make it!

coffee granita with whipped cream in a jelly jar on a mini cake stand

Coffee Granita with Whipped Cream

sherisilver
"Granita di Caffe con Panna" is a classic - and easy! - Roman dessert!
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 8
Calories 319 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the granita:

  • 4 cups freshly brewed strong coffee
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the whipped cream:

  • 2 cups chilled heavy cream
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar

Instructions
 

Make the granita:

  • Stir the sugar into the coffee till dissolved (you can do this over a low heat to speed up the process). Stir in the vanilla and pour into a large rectangular baking dish. Place in the freezer.
  • After one hour remove from the freezer and use a potato masher to start breaking up any icy chunks that have formed around the edges - use the masher to stir the mixture and return to the freezer. After another hour repeat. At this point the mixture should have an overall slushy texture - if not return to the freezer for about 30 - 45 minutes. Break it up again, give it a stir and freeze for at least 3 hours or overnight.
  • Use a fork to scrape the granita down the length of the pan, forming icy flakes. Scoop into a bowl and freeze for one hour, or up to one month.

Make the whipped cream:

  • Beat the heavy cream and sugar till soft peaks form.
  • To serve, place a few scoops of whipped cream into the bottom of a glass or jar. Top with a few scoops of granita. Repeat, finishing with a dollop of whipped cream. Serve immediately.

Notes

Read this post to learn how to freeze whipped cream!

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 319kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 2gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 19mgPotassium: 116mgSugar: 31gVitamin A: 875IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 42mgIron: 0.1mg
Keywords coffee, espresso, granita, whipped cream
did you make this recipe?tag @sherisilver on instagram!

coffee granita with whipped cream in a jelly jar on a mini cake stand

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4 Comments

  1. Amy Zerman on July 21, 2022 at 9:22 am

    Granita di caffe is my favorite part of a trip to Italy. Thank you for posting how to make it.

  2. Annie+Diamond on July 25, 2022 at 11:03 pm

    5 stars
    I love coffee granita! I haven’t had it in Rome, though! This looks so good!

    • sherisilver on July 26, 2022 at 10:44 am

      As a coffee lover you will love this recipe!

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Hi! I'm Sheri!

Welcome to my little corner of the web where you’ll find easy, delicious recipes, the best kitchen hacks and simple tips for turning your home into a clean haven that is free of toxins. So glad you’re here!