Lime Granita with Candied Mint Leaves and Crème Fraîche

A refreshing frozen lime dessert served with sweetened crème fraîche and decorated with candied mint leaves. This elegant Italian-style ice combines the tartness of fresh lime with sweet syrup for a perfect summer treat.

6 servings

6 hr 15 min

Published October 4, 2025

Ingredients

•2 cups water
•1 cup sugar
•½ cup fresh lime juice
•12 pieces candied mint leaves
•¼ cup sugar
•12 leaves fresh mint leaves
•1 large egg white
•½ cup créme fraîche
•1½ tablespoons powdered sugar

Cooking Instructions

1.
Bring 2 cups water and 1 cup sugar to boil in medium saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium and simmer 5 minutes. Cool syrup. Stir in lime juice. Transfer lime syrup to 11 x 7 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Cover and place in freezer. Stir every 45 minutes until frozen, about 3 hours. DO AHEAD Granita can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and keep frozen.
180 min
2.
Place sugar on small shallow plate. Brush both sides of 1 mint leaf lightly with egg white; dredge in sugar. Transfer mint leaf to rack. Repeat with remaining mint leaves. Let mint stand at room temperature until dry, about 3 hours. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Store in airtight container at room temperature.
180 min
3.
Mix créme fraîche and sugar. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
5 min
4.
Using fork, scrape granita to loosen. Spoon granita into bowls or lime halves; drizzle with créme fraîche, garnish with candied mint leaves, and serve immediately.
10 min

Cooking Instructions

Bring 2 cups water and 1 cup sugar to boil in medium saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium and simmer 5 minutes. Cool syrup. Stir in lime juice. Transfer lime syrup to 11 x 7 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Cover and place in freezer. Stir every 45 minutes until frozen, about 3 hours. DO AHEAD Granita can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and keep frozen.

180 min

Place sugar on small shallow plate. Brush both sides of 1 mint leaf lightly with egg white; dredge in sugar. Transfer mint leaf to rack. Repeat with remaining mint leaves. Let mint stand at room temperature until dry, about 3 hours. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

180 min

Mix créme fraîche and sugar. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

5 min

Using fork, scrape granita to loosen. Spoon granita into bowls or lime halves; drizzle with créme fraîche, garnish with candied mint leaves, and serve immediately.

10 min