Blackberry Granita

From the kitchen of Carly

Blackberry granita is icy, bright, and effortless. Frozen blackberry purée gets scraped into fluffy crystals, then topped with tangy mascarpone cream and a squeeze of lemon. Make it ahead; serve it straight from the freezer on hot afternoons.

Prep
n/a
Cook
n/a
Total
n/a
Servings
4
Difficulty
medium

Ingredients

4 servings

  • 14 cups blackberries (about 18 ounces)
  • 11/2 cup sugar
  • 11 tablespoon crème de cassis (black-currant liqueur; optional)
  • 11 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1Pinch of kosher salt
  • 11/2 cup mascarpone
  • 11/4 cup heavy cream
  • 12 tablespoons sugar
  • 11 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 11/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 11/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest plus more for garnish
  • 11 1/3 cups blackberries (about 6 ounces)
  • 1cut in half crosswise

Instructions

  1. Purée blackberries, sugar, crème de cassis, if using, lemon juice, salt, and 1 cup water in a blender until smooth. Strain purée through a fine-mesh sieve into a 13x9x2" baking pan, pressing on solids.

  2. Freeze mixture until edges begin to set, about 30 minutes. Using a fork, scrape to break up frozen portions. Freeze, scraping and breaking up mixture every 20-30 minutes, until mixture resembles fluffy shaved ice, 2-4 hours.

  3. DO AHEAD: Granita can be made 3 days ahead. Cover with plastic wrap and keep frozen. Scrape before serving.

  4. Just before serving, whisk mascarpone, cream, sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, and 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest in a medium bowl until soft peaks form.

  5. Serve granita topped with lemon cream, halved blackberries, and more lemon zest.