Blackberry Granita with Whipped Cream

 

Let me lay out some facts for you:

My bed has an electric blanket on it this winter.  My fears of spontaneous combustion are usurped by my complete inability to actually get out of my warm bed.  

Yes… I’m totally writing this from bed.  Try and stop me.  This cozy just won’t quit. 

I have exactly zero interest in turning on my oven for the next week… mostly because my oven isn’t in arms length of my bed.  I really don’t want to get out of bed.  

Yes… I’m talking a lot about my bed right now.  Maybe I’m obsessed.  Maybe this is unhealthy.

But!  There is one reason I’m getting out of bed tomorrow.  Vacation.  Holy hell!  I’m going on vacation!  I’m going to a gorgeous spa/ bed and breakfast situation in San Luis Obispo… all by myself.  There’s a bathtub.  Not just any bathtub… but a soaking tub… next to a fireplace.  Oh.  My.  God.  I only plan on leaving that soaking tub in an extreme prune state.  

If you’re in San Luis Obispo and you think you can lure me out of my soaking tub… we should totally have lunch!

Before all the soaking begins… here’s a deep purple Blackberry Granita.  I suggest eating in in bed, under the covers, while watching your third Netflix romantic comedy.  Don’t worry.  No judgements.  This granita just tastes better that way.  

 

 

This recipe was inspired by two things:  the need to put a stop to my Christmas cookie binge, and my desire to have a dessert without actually having to turn my oven on.  

The result is surprisingly comforting.  Sweet blackberry ice combined with lightly sweetened soft whipped cream.  It’s uncomplicated, refreshing and simply delicious.  

 

Blackberry Granita with Whipped Cream

Print this Recipe!

3 cups water

2/3 cup granulated sugar

2 heaping cups frozen blackberries (un-thawed)

juice of 1 lime

2 teaspoons vodka (optional)

whipped cream (sweetened as much as you like)

In a medium saucepan heat water and sugar until sugar dissolves.  Add frozen blackberries and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes over medium heat.  Stir to break blackberries up a bit as they cook.  

Once blackberries are broken and cooked, place half of the blackberry and liquid mixture in a blender.  Pulse and blend until a berries are broken down into a puree.  Place a fine mesh strainer over the pot containing the other half of liquid and berries, and strain the puree into the pan.  The end result is berry pieces, whole berries, blackberry liquid and the juice from the puree.  

Add lime and vodka (is using).  The vodka helps the mixture not freeze so solid, but is not entirely necessary. 

Place mixture into a 9×13-inch pan and place in freezer.  Set timer for 1 hour.  After 1 hour, scrape any ice crystals that have formed towards the center of the pan.  Set timer for another hour and again scrape the ice crystals towards the center of the pan.  Continue until all of the liquid has formed ice crystals.  

Serve with soft whipped cream.  Yum!