I like you. I like you a lot. I mean it… and I don’t think I’ve told you in a while. Sweet. I’m glad you’re here.
Would now be a good time to tell you that I have a serious, though not lasting, aversion to my kitchen these days? I have an even more serious aversion to my oven. For reals.
It’s just that… well, it’s summer! There seems to be so many museums to visit, brunches to have, friends to laugh with, wine to drink… and somehow none of this fun takes place in my kitchen.
Amazingly, and through the miracle that is my freezer, I’ve managed to throw together a lovely and waaaay super easy summer recipe. It’s apple pie meets snow cone, minus the cone, plus a hint of awesome.
If it’s summer in your part of the globe… please please please make this. Remember when you were a kid and used to freeze juice in the ice cube tray? Dangit! Why were those cubes always so rock solid!? This Apple Pie Granita is the adult version of such childhood endeavours. Super sweet!
Apple Pie Granita
recipe from um… Emeril Lagasse
3 cups natural, unfiltered apple juice
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
big pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
pinch of ground allspice
Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan over medium high heat. Heat and stir until all of the sugar has dissolved, about 3 minutes. Pour into an 8-inch square glass baking dish. Place in the freezer until icy around the edges, about 1 hour. Using a fork, scrape the icy shards towards the center of the dish. Freeze again for another hour and again scrape the icy shards. Continue freezing and scraping until slushy throughout. Eat standing at the open freezer door, or place in small dishes and serve immediately.
Josephine Choo
My daughter LOVES apple juice, she goes to the extend of pouring them into the ice-cube trays & popping them in her mouth anytime she walks pass the fridge which is very often =P and I know she is going to just LOVE this. Thanks for the recipe. Love LURVE your blog!!! 4thumbs up! (2 from my dog haha i know she doesnt have the thumbs but its PAWS up for you as well)
The Honey Nut
This is perfect! It’s like fall and summer at the same time!
Jen Marie
Oh yum.
I’m making these tonight.
Thank you.
Katie B
If those glasses were men, I’d marry all of them.
Jenna
First I just want to say that I love your site! I have been looking for ages for a blog that is all about baking delish goods without super exoticness. Second, I had to say that my mom actually has these glasses so it reminded me of home as well. Two for one. Thanks so much!
Ana
These glasses are sooo cute!!! where did you get themmm???!
Joy
Hi Joy! I love these glasses! I have the Hippity Hop and would like to know where you found the others. Do you remember where you got them? Thanks!-Joy
Jillian
I also have a comment on the glasses (although the granita does sound delicious!) I used to have one that said ‘smooch’ but it was broken during a move. Do you know where to find them??
Yvonne
A perfect receipe for this hot day! Definitely making it tonight.
The Purple Foodie
OMG your glasses are too cute! And i love the sound of an apple pie granita. Have to put it on my list. thanks!
Meg
What a fabulous and creative summer treat!
Amy
Made this! Big hit with adults and kids alike. Need a second batch.
Cakespy
Oh joy! I say to Joy. The baker. I love the idea of summering up a cold weather treat. You are brilliant.
Dawn
I can understand getting an aversion to something you love. I am a classical musician. Often I will choose to learn a piece because I am completely enamored with it, but then after many hours of practice, can’t stand it any more. I even get that way with my instrument. Practicing becomes a chore, rather than my passion. After a break, the love returns.
Emily
I can’t wait to make this! Thank you. We have those animal glasses; aren’t they fun? When I went back to Cost Plus to get more, I was informed that the glass ones were “dangerous” because apparently they break easily and break into nasty pointy shards. I was told I could trade my glass ones in for plastic, which I did not, I just bought more and different animals. The new ones are plastic, which are not as nice looking, they scratch, etc. But they are safe and I guess that’s good. ?? !!
funderbug
Recipe looks yummy and I have those exact same glasses! Wish I could find them again… but the only ones I could find when I went back to check were plastic. Bummer.
Julie
love the “print this recipe” feature!!
McKenna Lindsey
Where did you get the farm animal glasses? I love them!
Irina @ PastryPal
You’re blog is so charming and a “joy” to read. The way you write pulls me in. Though I’m glad this is a food blog, I’d probably be happy to read about your trips to the museum or brunches, or whatever else you felt like telling us about during this baking dry spell. As far as the granita, boy, does that look refreshing. I might be even more refreshed if I threw in a splash of Calvados. Shhh.
Kristen
Oh…my…god! I have those cups! Ha ha!!
When Pigs Fly
I don’t blame you for not wanting to be in the kitchen during the summer. Living in the midwest all I want to do is be outside and enjoy the sun and warmth. Made your chocolate chip, peanut butter cookies and got rave reviews. Used unsweetened PB and less than the recipe called for as I ran out but it was still fab.
Thanks
Sandy
Looks awesome, and I’m sure it tastes even better, but Joy – it’s Summer. That doesn’t mean staying away from your kitchen, it means getting into it! Nothin’ says summer like planning a meal with friends and sitting outside to enjoy it & a glass of wine. Just sayin’!
Moose
Love that recipe….. oh, what a coincidence …. my human mom has that same sheep glass, one of her favorites!!
Tail Wags to All.
~Moose
pity
i just discovered your blog, and i love it! your apple pie granita is my kind odessert even more with this heat! already one of my favourites,
cheers from london!
pity
cindy
i just made ginger lime granita as i have a similar aversion to the stove;) yay! i love this apple pie version…genius!
Kerstin
Looks tasty! And I love the cute glasses you served them in :)
The Duo Dishes
So far we’ve made pomegranate kiwi granitas and sangria granitas, but never a granita that tasted like a baked good. Good one. Very good.
Stephanie
WHERE did you get those cups! I MUST KNOW!
Marie in AZ
It is hot. It is painfully hot. It is painfully,one-could-die hot.
Now that I’ve conveyed a bit about summer in AZ, let me thank you for posting a yummy recipe that doesn’t require heat of any kind. I can almost taste the granita ice grains melting in my mouth. Mmmm…
Mike @ trialbyfood
Joy, I totally have those same glasses! Well, I only have the lamb and cow, but they’re still pretty awesome. And you have to love that granitas require no extra equipment beyond your freezer to deliver the awesomeness…
stephchows
Great idea! I love that it is served with a hint of awesome!
Kate @ Savour Fare
I hear you. All I’ve felt like cooking lately is jam and BLT’s.
Zoe
I love granitas and this one sounds unique and delicious. Thanks for sharing this!
Shauna
Granita of all sorts is magical. The end.
Even though it’s a true July here in San Francisco (read: cold, wet, foggy), this looks great!
And I’m a new reader of your blog (clearly late to the party, as per usual). Love it! It’s so fun to read a fellow dessert blogger’s work.
Allison
Wow- THIS is the perfect way to enjoy a delicious winter dessert…only as a cool summer treat! I love it!
Lys
This is a *must try* recipe – thank you for posting this!
Heather @ chiknpastry
I totally get the summer thing. I can’t seem to throw together much more than salad lately. and those sugar cookies :) and maybe a granita since it doesn’t really involve cooking!!
Winker
Sounds and looks like a real treat!
Take a break Joy – we promise not to begrudge you!
Megan
Cute glasses!
Granita sounds good right about now.
Carolyn
ooh yummy! WHERE did you get those cute glasses?????
Mary
I might have to make that with some Penzey’s Vietnamese Cinnamon…..
Thanks Joy!
katie
best part of the whole post: recipe from um…emeril lagasse. hilarious!
no shame, no shame.
Meri
the granitas look fabulous…and I love those sweet and adorable glasses in the picture.
Pam
I love those little glasses, they are so cute!
Yumm on the recipe too!
Amy
It’s also 100+ degrees where you are, no? I wouldn’t be using my oven either.
I’m all in with this one. I imagine my 3 year old won’t have any objections, as well.
Linda Y
joy, we are glad to be here…wherever “here” is for you…no kitchen/oven pressure from us…chill…relax…while we enjoy our granitas!
martina
Great idea!! Maybe I could use it like a sort of a propitiating rite… to the summer! It’s technically here, BUT it’s looks like november! Go Ireland go!
Martina
Siobhán
It’s technically summer in Ireland… but I don’t see any sun.. or even a break in the rain clouds! :) It’s good baking weather though! :D
Christy
I think I will cheat a bit and freeze the juice into ice cubes and then run them through my snow cone maker. Summer heat=laziness.
Mélanie
It’s summer in Paris. But it’s cold!!!! And rainy… The good thing is, I can still turn my oven on :)
I’m still hoping for the sunny days. And now I have one more reason : granitas!
Heather Lee
Sounds delish, and I love the animal glasses! They are adorable ^_^
laura
yum! that sounds incredible.
Tellie
Yum! That definitely sounds like a nice refreshing summer treat.
Juli
Although it ‘s really cold here, I ‘ll do it all the same.
I can’t help cooking fresh summer stuff when it’s cold or winter comfort food when it’s hot.
you are great Joy
Baking and Mistaking
Ooooh we should make granitas of all our favorite desserts! Where is the chocolate chip cookie granita??
Kati
wow–that looks so refreshing and easy!! thanks for sharing!