Blackberry Granita

A refreshing frozen dessert made with fresh blackberries and topped with a luxurious lemon-mascarpone cream. This elegant Italian-style ice combines the sweet-tart flavor of blackberries with subtle notes of lemon and optional crème de cassis.

6 servings
4 hr 20 min

Ingredients

  • 4 cups blackberries
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon crème de cassis
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 pinch kosher salt
  • ½ cup mascarpone
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1⅓ cups blackberries
  • cut in half crosswise

Cooking Instructions

  1. 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.

    10 min

  2. 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.

    240 min

  3. 3.

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

  4. 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 min

  5. 5.

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

    5 min

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