Frozen Sweet And Sour Cherry Granita

Name: A frozen granita bursting with sweet and sour cherries
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound stemmed sour cherries, pitted (2 cups); 1 pound stemmed sweet cherries, pitted (2 cups); 1/2 cup water; 1/2-2/3 cup simple syrup (see note); 1/8 teaspoon salt; luxardo maraschino cherries, optional, for garnish

JeanMarie Brownson|July 7, 2021 2:28 pm EST

4.5 (2 ratings)

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This sweet-tart frozen dessert takes a few hours to freeze but only 15 minutes of hands-on time. Top scoops of the granita with a spoonful or two of sparkling wine, if desired. I like to add Amarena cherries in syrup or Luxardo Maraschino cherries for a triple cherry delight.

Servings

6

Frozen Sweet and Sour Cherry Granita recipe

Ingredients

1 pound stemmed sour cherries, pitted (2 cups)
1 pound stemmed sweet cherries, pitted (2 cups)
1/2 cup water
1/2-2/3 cup simple syrup (see note)
1/8 teaspoon salt
luxardo maraschino cherries, optional, for garnish

Directions

Step 1: Puree 1 pound pitted sour cherries and 1 pound pitted sweet cherries with ½ cup water in a blender (work in batches if necessary) until smooth. Push through a fine-mesh strainer into a 13- by 9-inch metal baking pan. Stir in simple syrup to taste and salt.
Step 2: Freeze until very slushy, 1-2 hours. Rake the mixture with a large fork to fluff it up. Then repeat the process of freezing and raking every 2 hours until completely fluffed and frozen.
Step 3: Return to the freezer and repeat the process of freezing and raking with the fork 2 more times.
Step 4: Use an ice cream scoop to serve the mixture in small glasses. Garnish with maraschino cherries, if desired.