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
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!
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Blogging from bed…I love it! This looks great.
Yup, I’m just jealous. I want a soaking tub. I want to be in a bed constantly, and now I want to be eating a blackberry granita.
Have a wonderful time, I’m jealous!
Pretty!
Vacation starts for me tomorrow too!
I’m hoping to celebrate it with a crepe cake since I won’t be at a spa or anything.
sounds super lovely! have a great vacation!!
eventhough its a little chilly, this granita will surely hit the spot. You are so lucky, you are getting as v-kay!Have fun! Take a picture of the tub..hee
Tub AND fireplace – the ultimate combo.
You totally crack me up~ Have a fabulous time at the spa and enjoy that tub! I don’t have one and would LOVE to be able to soak at home, better yet a spa!
xx
I am SO jealous! I love California. I hate the cold weather and we just moved from Florida to a suburb of Cincy. It is snowing right now. Something I have only seen one other time:( I love a bath. Everything becomes right in my world with a bubble bath at night. Have a great time. It is beautiful there.
I’m jealous!!! Enjoy yourself…every minute of it! I posted a concord grape granita on my blog a few months ago…and photographing it made me want to kill myself. Okay maybe not kill myself, but the thing was melting while I obsessed over close up shots and it definitely got on my nerves. Did you have a tough time photographing yours or am I just a crazy lady?
hey erika!
want to know my secret? i had two dishes of granita going. you’re right. it does melt super fast. when i was photographing one… i had the other in the freezer waiting. that’s my big granita secret! now you know.
You’re very cool sharing your secret! And practical. I on the other hand am silly. Thanks and Happy New Year!
I could totally use a break from Christmas cookies…then again, I could totally use a spa vacation right about now, too…so jealous! Looking forward to trying this recipe. So far I have to say, everything I’ve tried is deeelissssshhh! Enjoy your vacay! And Happy (almost) New Year!!
This looks so refreshing – love the break from cooking!
Have fun on your vacation Joy! I love this recipe :)
I love your blog! This granita looks delicious and would be yummy with some champagne!
Have a wonderful trip. Love the soaking tub by a fireplace. Pure relaxation…
Bed + Netflix = happiness. Sounds good to me…and this looks like a lovely break from heavy holiday desserts. Thanks!
I love blackberries! Can’t wait to try this. I prolly will while you’re in beautiful CA at a spa no less. :-) Enjoy every moment!
Have a great time on vacation! I’m so jealous!
mmm berries and vodka! can’t go wrong with that
a tub next to a fireplace? can you share the name of this place? i wanna go, but i’ll wait ’til after this week. i don’t want you to think i’m stalking you.
it’s called the sanitarium in san luis obispo. it’s beyond gorgeous!
hi..not related to this post, but just wanted to say THANK YOU! for the fab no-roll pie crust recipe. it was my 2nd time using it for a holiday pumpkin pie and it came out tasty!
I am so happy to hear that I’m not the only one sitting in bed all day and refusing to turn on the oven. Thanks for helping me feel less like a sloth… Enjoy your time at the spa!
Hope you have a fabulous vacation and a very happy New Year!
I will definitely be trying this recipe!! (probably tomorrow ;D) Awesome blog!
-Emily
(www.iBAK3.blogspot.com)
Bengeits at bigs sky cafe and anything (as long as you get french fries) at firestone grill! i totally miss eating in slo!
awesome! thank you for the suggestions! now i know what i’m having for lunch and dinner! you’re tops!
Put a down blanket over your electric blanket and toast. It’s the perfect remedy for the days my body cavity gets too cold and I can’t warm up. Only one thing can rouse me from my bed cocoon….a trip down the hall. Enjoy your sleezy movies in bed and granita
I live in SLO…Drag yourself from that soaking tub and lets get lunch!! Email me at catesworldkitchen@gmail.com. We’ll have fun, I promise!
i emailed you! let’s do this!
I lived in San Luis Obispo for a couple of years in the early eighties; it was the kind of place where one would leave their door open. I wonder how it looks like now!
The blackberry granita and cream sounds wonderful especially in the summer; I will keep it in mind!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Here’s wishing you a great year ahead!!
Keep up the good work!
Cheers!
wow it sure looks great!
Optional Vodka? Oh, that’s good. :) Wonder if I could sub it w/some Godiva chocolate?
PS: What’s your take on chocolate — the best, the worst, your fave? have you posted on this already? I need to check…
the chocolate might freeze strangely. i dunno.
i need to do a chocolate post don’t i!? noted.
Xmas may be ovver, but now I have to bake for New year’s Eve dinner (veglione in Italian), it never really stops.
XXX
Solo vacation to ring in 2010? Brilliant… for real. Excellent opportunity to set up your resolutions; one of which will be to meet Sarah Jackson in person. I know you can do it, Joy!
In other news, I did NOT win my family’s bake-off this year. In fact, my brother called my Key Lime Meltaways “bite-sized nightmares”.
Happy New Year!
Sarah
sarah! this is true. this must happen somehow! are you coming to la? should i go to new york? want to meet somewhere in the middle. we need to make this happen. i have a feeling we’re long lost sisters. for real.
happy new year lady!
enjoy your vacation!
granita with whipped cream? really never thought of putting the two together.. have a fun trip, Joy!
hi Joy — I’m a reader of your blog, not much of a poster. I live in SLO and I own a sock store downtown. You should come by and say hi if you get the chance! Cheers.
brooke. i’m totally coming. i’m so there. count on it. !!!!!
I feel the same way with the down comforter on my bed, my sister always asks how I can get up in the morning!
P.S. It’s called The Sock Drawer – on Higuera. : )
Aside from the wonderful looking granita…have you tried LUSH products for the bath?
i’m all about lush! unfortunately.. i don’t have any lush with me right now. i’ll have to make do.
Love The Sock Drawer in SLO!!
The thought of an electric blanket right now just is terrifying. It’s the middle of summer here so that granita, however, holds much much appeal.
Have a lovely vacation. Sounds delightful!
Ooohhh!!!! I wish I were going to the Spa with you. This worn out Momma needs a little no a LOT of pampering. :)
Found ya by way of Bakerella.
Lovin your blog and nice to see you’re an FP too. I’ll have to find you on there and be your friend. :)
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!
Oh this is going to definitely be the dessert for my New Year’s Eve dinner. Just what I was looking for – enjoy Cali!
This is such a beautiful photo, nice job. I would love to have a taste of this and wish you a happy new year!
I’ll definitely buy your book!
I literally laughed out loud as I am currently in my warm n’ toasty bed taking a break from my romantic comedy Netflix marathon to read for delectable desserts to make later on this cold and perfectly cloudy January Saturday. I love these days when I wake up early, because I went to bed at 7pm on a Friday (due to a crazy yet fun week that has left my puppies barking), drink my morning coffee, watch some romantic comedies and decide to just go over-the-top on indulging myself and baking some delish cakes, cookies or whatever strikes my fancy. Seems like you are kin in this respect, this lavishly self-indulgent respect. Glad to have found another cozy soul!
Made a raspberry rendition of this last night. And it was sooooo good! Thanks Joy. You’re such a G.
I’m not jealous Joy…… . . .
Okay maybe a tad bit..
This looks divine. It’s blackberry season here in England too and I’m just off to go foraging!