Cranberry Granita
Looking for a light, refreshing dessert to balance out your holiday feast? This Cranberry Granita is the perfect palate cleanser, combining tart cranberries with just the right amount of sweetness.
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Welcome to Part one of my cranberry recipe fun! Cranberry Granita is my play on a classic Sicilian dessert. Thanksgiving may be known to many as the ultimate pie holiday, heavy and topped with whipped cream or ice cream, but there’s always room to offer guests this lighter (and dare I say?) palate-cleansing dessert. Maybe it’s even the pre-dessert before the pies. Either way… trust me when I say that it’s worth adding to your holiday menus.
CHEERS 🥂 JENN
Why You’ll Love This Dish
- Quick & easy to make with just 4 ingredients
- Perfectly balances tart and sweet flavors
- Can be served as a refreshing dessert or as a cocktail base
- Ideal for holiday menus or cozy winter gatherings
Ingredients
- 2 cups water – Use filtered water for the cleanest flavor.
- 5 oz fresh cranberries (about 1½ cups) – Rinse, sort, and remove any stems. Fresh cranberries give the best tartness, but frozen works too.
- 1 cup sugar – Adjust to taste; you can swap half the sugar for honey or maple syrup for a richer flavor.
- ½ tsp fresh lime juice – Adds brightness and balances sweetness; freshly squeezed works best.
Optional additions:
- A pinch of orange zest for extra citrus aroma
- A few whole cranberries or fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Cranberries
In a small saucepan, combine water, cranberries, sugar, and lime juice. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat.
Tip: Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and watch as the cranberries start to pop—this usually takes about 7 minutes. This is a fun step to let kids observe the cranberries bursting (You might want to have them wear aprons and safety goggles)!
Step 2: Blend & Strain
Remove the pan from heat. Using an immersion blender (or a standard blender in batches), puree the mixture until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove skins and seeds for a silky texture. Tip: Press gently with a spoon to get every bit of flavor out.
Step 3: Freeze the Granita
Pour the cranberry purée into a rimmed baking sheet lined with a heat-proof silicone mat. Freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight until solid. Tip: A shallow pan freezes faster and makes scraping easier.
Step 4: Scrape & Serve
Use a fork to scrape the frozen mixture into fluffy, icy flakes. Serve immediately in small cups, bowls, or scoop directly into sparkling wine for a festive cocktail. Pro Tip: Scraping at an angle gives the prettiest flakes.
Cooking with Kids
DISCLOSURE: Please keep in mind that the following tips are general and are meant to be suggestive. I personally use these strategies with my own kids, who are all unique even within my own family of five. Therefore, please regard these as suggestions or ideas. If you feel that your child requires more or less assistance, then go with what you and your child are comfortable with. Ultimately, you know your child best.
Kids love watching cranberries pop and turning a purée into icy flakes.
Tip: Serve granita in small cups with a few whole cranberries or mint leaves for garnish. Let kids “design” their dessert!
Serving & Storing
Serve: Immediately after scraping for the best texture.
Store: Keep frozen in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Cranberry Granita Cocktails
Turn your granita into a festive cocktail! Scoop into a glass and top with sparkling wine or Prosecco to make a refreshing Cranberry Bellini—perfect for brunch or holiday parties.
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Cranberry Granita
- Total Time: 1 hour 6 minutes
- Yield: 5 people 1x
Description
Looking for a light dessert to add to your holiday menu? Consider this simple Cranberry Granita! With its perfect balance of tartness and sweetness, this Midwest take on a Sicilian classic is sure to please. And as an added bonus, it can also serve as a base for holiday cocktails.
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 5 oz cranberries (approximately 1 1/2 cups washed and sorted)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp lime juice
Instructions
- Place the water, cranberries, juice, and sugar into a small saucepan, set over medium-high heat, and simmer until the berries begin to pop (approximately 7 minutes). Remove from the heat.
- Puree with a stick blender, blender, or food processor, for 1 minute.
- Pass the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl or directly into a metal 13 by 9-inch pan lined with a silicon matte. Do not press on the skins. Allow the juice to drip through the mesh strainer naturally.
- Place in the freezer until set, at least 6 hours (overnight is even better).
- Once frozen, scrape the mixture with a fork to create a shaved ice texture. Serve immediately in a small ice cream dish or add to your favorite cocktail.
Notes
Nutritional Facts:
These numbers are based on the serving size stated. All are estimates and you should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 minute
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Italian, Midwest
Nutrition
- Calories: 167
- Sugar: 41
- Sodium: 6
- Fat: 0.2
- Saturated Fat: 0.002
- Carbohydrates: 43
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 0.1
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