Granita Di Caffe Con Panna (Italian Coffee Granita) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup water
1/3 cup white sugar
1 cup strong espresso coffee
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
1 cup whipped cream, or to taste

Preparation

Bring water and sugar to a boil in a small saucepan; simmer until a candy thermometer reads 250 degrees F (120 degrees C), about 5 minutes.
Remove saucepan from heat; add coffee and vanilla extract. Pour into a metal bowl and mix well. Cool granita mixture to room temperature, about 10 minutes. Freeze for 1 hour.
Stir the granita vigorously to break up ice crystals. Repeat freezing and breaking up process 4 to 5 more times, 2 to 2 1/2 hours total.
Drop spoonfuls of whipped cream into 4 short glasses. Divide granita mixture evenly among the glasses. Top with remaining whipped cream.