When was the last time you ate a slushie? Whether or not this happened on a recent occasion, we think you’ll love our classy homemade version of this icy, satisfying dessert that’s almost like sorbet but much easier and more forgiving to make. In other words, you don’t need any special tools at all. Namely, an ice cream maker.

All you do need to start are four ingredients: hot coffee, sugar, Kahlua, and vanilla extract. If you like, pick up some cream to whip for garnish, too.

Combine all the ingredients and stir together in a shallow pan that can go in the freezer.

The sugar will dissolve easily as you whisk, since the coffee is hot. Once dissolved, put the whole pan in the freezer.

Freeze for an hour, then pull out the pan. The coffee will have begun to turn to ice, but it shouldn’t be completely solid. Use a fork to scrape up the ice, turning the block into ice crystals.

Repeat this process at 30-minute intervals, raking the fork through each time. When the pan is completely frozen and granular, your granita is ready to eat. (You can leave it in the freezer at this point, too.) The texture might remind you of a sno-cone.

Spoon the granita into ramekins or wine glasses, then top with whipped cream and some chocolate shavings or chopped-up coffee beans.

Read on for the full recipe…

Coffee Granita

INGREDIENTS
2 cups hot freshly brewed coffee, the stronger the better (you could even use espresso if you wanted a really strong and flavorful granita)
½ cup sugar
1 teaspoon Kahlua
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Whipped cream, for serving

In a shallow pan that can go in the freezer, combine the coffee, sugar, Kahlua and vanilla, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Pour the mixture into a flat pan, preferably a glass 9-by-13-inch pan.

Freeze the pan for 1 hour, or until it starts to become slushy around the edges. Using a large fork, rake the mixture to break up the crystals and place back into the freezer.

Every 30 minutes, rake the mixture until it is completely frozen and granular throughout.

Cover tightly and freeze until ready to serve.

Serve in a chilled glass or bowl. You can serve with a splash of chilled Baileys and/or whipped cream.

Serves 4.