Espresso Granita with Vanilla Ice Cream

This Espresso Granita with Vanilla Ice Cream is the ultimate treat for coffee lovers! It’s bold, icy, and refreshing, with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream to balance out the rich espresso flavor. The best part?

It’s super easy to make—no fancy machines needed! Just freeze, scrape, and serve.

Let’s do it!

What You’ll Need

2 cups freshly brewed espresso (or strong coffee)
¼ cup sugar (adjust to taste)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup vanilla ice cream
Chocolate shavings or cocoa powder (optional for garnish)

Pro Tips

Use strong coffee! A bold espresso shot gives the best flavor.
Scrape every 30 minutes. This keeps the texture light and fluffy.
For extra richness, drizzle a shot of espresso over the ice cream before serving.
Want it dairy-free? Use coconut or almond-based vanilla ice cream.
Make it fancy! Top with chocolate shavings or a dusting of cocoa powder.

Tools You’ll Need

Shallow baking dish (for freezing)
Fork (for scraping granita)
Spoon (for serving)
Ice cream scoop

Instructions

Step 1: Brew the Espresso & Sweeten

Brew 2 cups of espresso and stir in sugar while it’s hot until fully dissolved. Add vanilla extract and let it cool slightly.

a small cup of freshly brewed espresso with steam rising, as sugar is being stirred in with a spoon

Step 2: Pour & Freeze

Pour the sweetened espresso mixture into a shallow baking dish and place it in the freezer.

a shallow glass baking dish filled with dark espresso liquid, freshly poured and slightly steaming

Step 3: Scrape the Granita

After 30 minutes, use a fork to scrape the frozen edges into icy crystals. Repeat every 30 minutes for 2-3 hours until fully frozen and fluffy.

a fork scraping across the surface of the frozen espresso granita, lifting delicate, icy flakes

Step 4: Scoop & Serve

Spoon the granita into glasses and top each with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

a glass being filled with dark espresso granita, the icy flakes piled high. A scoop of vanilla ice cream is gently placed on top, beginning to melt into the coffee

Step 5: Add Toppings & Enjoy

Garnish with chocolate shavings or a dusting of cocoa powder and serve immediately!

a finished espresso granita with vanilla ice cream, topped with chocolate shavings and a light dusting of cocoa powder

Leftovers & Storage

Store leftover granita in the freezer. Re-scrape with a fork before serving.
Best enjoyed fresh! The texture is fluffiest when just made.

Wrap-Up

And that’s it—your Espresso Granita with Vanilla Ice Cream is ready! It’s icy, creamy, and packed with bold coffee flavor, making it the perfect summer dessert or after-dinner treat. Try it out, take a pic, and let me know how it turned out. Enjoy! ☕🍨✨