Creamy Granita Food

CREAMY GRANITA

Steps:

• Dissolve instant coffee and granulated sweetener in boiling water in large bowl. Add whipped topping; stir until well blended. Pour into 8-inch square pan.
• Freeze 4 hours or until firm.
• Draw fork repeatedly through frozen mixture just before serving. Spoon shavings evenly into 6 dessert dishes. Store leftover dessert in freezer.

ESPRESSO GRANITA WITH SOFT WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• For the espresso granita: Whisk the sugar into the hot espresso until dissolved. Stir in the vanilla and a pinch of salt. Pour the mixture in to a 9-by-13-inch freezer-safe pan and freeze until the mixture is frozen through, at least 3 hours and up to overnight. When ready to serve, scrape the surface into large, icy flakes.
• For the soft whipped cream: Place a 16-ounce glass jar with a lid in the freezer for 20 minutes. Pour in the cold cream, confectioners' sugar and vanilla and shake vigorously until soft whipped cream forms, about 5 minutes.
• To serve: Spoon some of the granita into a glass. Top with a dollop of soft whipped cream and sprinkle on chocolate shavings and crushed espresso beans.

ESPRESSO GRANITA WITH WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• In a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish, carefully pour in hot espresso and whisk in granulated sugar until dissolved completely. Place dish in freezer and every hour, scrape the mixture with a large fork to create the granita texture. The granita will need approximately five hours to completely freeze. The first time you scrape, the granita will not be frozen solid. You want to start scraping while it's still slushy so that texture of the granita will be even throughout.
• Right before serving, make the whipped cream. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer with a whisk attachment, beat the heavy cream until soft peaks. Add the vanilla extract and confectioners' sugar and continue to beat until stiff peaks.
• Line up 12 glass Champagne flutes. Place 1 tablespoon of granita in the bottom of each glass. Using a different spoon, spread a layer of whipped cream. Continue layering the granita and whipped cream, ending with the whipped cream. Sprinkle chocolate over the top of each glass. Garnish with a sprig of mint. Serve immediately.

COFFEE GRANITA WITH WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• Mix together the espresso, sugar, coffee liqueur and vanilla extract in a medium bowl until the sugar is completely dissolved. Pour the liquid into an 8-inch square glass baking dish and freeze. Every 30 minutes, remove the dish from the freezer and use a fork to scrape and break up the ice crystals. Repeat until the mixture is thoroughly frozen, about 4 hours.
• Spoon the granita into small glasses, dollop with the whipped cream and garnish with a mint leaf. Serve immediately.

CREAMY MELON GRANITA

Steps:

• In a food processor or blender, combine melon with condensed milk, lime or lemon juice, and salt. Puree until smooth. Transfer to an 8-inch square baking dish; freeze until firm. Before serving, scrape with a fork until it has the texture of shaved ice.

CREAMY STRAWBERRY GRANITA

Steps:

• Blend water, prepared drink, Neufchatel and 1/2 cup strawberries in blender until smooth; pour into 13x9-inch pan.
• Freeze 4 hours or until firm. Meanwhile, slice remaining strawberries.
• Serve in dessert dishes topped with sliced strawberries and pineapple.

STRAWBERRY GRANITA WITH WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• Puree strawberries, sugar, and salt in processor until smooth. Add water and lemon juice and process to blend. Strain into 8x8x2-inch metal baking pan. Cover with foil and place in freezer. Stir with fork every hour until frozen, about 4 hours. DO AHEAD Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep frozen. Using fork, scrape granita down length of pan, forming icy flakes. Return to freezer. Beat 1 cup chilled whipping cream until firm peaks form. Divide cream among dishes. Spoon granita over and serve immediately.