Watermelon Granita and Homemade Popsicles
It’s been so hot lately, I haven’t been baking much (as you probably have noticed), my family still loves to have a treat though. Since cupcakes weren’t in order for the day, and our Summer Lime Pie was gone, I decided to give this Watermelon Granita a try.
Even though the name sounds really fancy, it is actually just fruit juice and simple syrup (sugar and water). I love having fresh fruit, but it seems like when I buy a Watermelon much of it goes to waste. They are usually pretty big, even for our family. I’m not a Watermelon lover, I know…the shame of it…but Doug and the boys all love it. So this cool dessert was a perfect way to use some of the watermelon so it didn’t go to waste.
Watermelon Granita Recipe:
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 6 cups cubed watermelon
Directions:
In a small saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil. Cook and stir until all the sugar is dissolved, set aside. In a blender, process watermelon, about 2 cups at a time, until smooth. Strain and discard pulp (see pictures below) Add sugar mixture to watermelon and pour into a 8 inch square dish. Cool to room temperature.
Freeze for 1 hour, stir with fork, return to freezer for 3-4 hours longer or until completely frozen.
With a large spoon, scrape Watermelon Granita and place in serving glass. Garnish with fresh fruit, lemon or lime if desired.
- Blend watermelon in blender until smooth
- Place a strainer over a large bowl and using the back of a spoon, push juice through the strainer
- Juice before it’s strained
- After it’s strained, it almost looks like jello
- Freeze for 1 hour
- Stir with a fork
We had enough juice left to make some Homemade Popsicles too. Nick and his girlfriend bought these plastic molds at Michael’s for only $1.
The boys have also been making Pink Lemonade Pops. Those were especially yummy!
So…which would you like to try, the Watermelon Granita or the Homemade Popsicles?
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Category: Cooking, Dessert, Kid Friendly/Special Events
ill take both!! We love home made popcicles… I might have to give the granita a try since watermelon is so plentiful these days.
Megan´s last blog ..Indoor Smores
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It looks so refreshing!
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How funny! I actually just bought the ingredients to make the watermelon granita this week.
It looks so wonderful for a hot day and I LOVE watermelon.
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I’m totally stealing this watermelon popsicle idea. Don’t worry I will let everyone know where I got the recipe
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CupcakeLady Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
@Nutmeg Nanny, Hey! You are more than welcome to use it! Anytime my friend!
~Liz
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We never eat the whole watermelon. This is a great way of using it all, and can be saved for another day.
jamie creative cupcakes´s last blog ..Old School Bakeries
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That does look so refreshing, Liz.
I’m a watermelon lover, so I know I’d be thrilled to enjoy the granita or the popsicles. So pretty, too!
Shirley
gfe–gluten free easily´s last blog ..Creme Brulee Ice Cream
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Phoebe, Robyn Stone and A. Smith, Liz Latham. Liz Latham said: Cool and Refreshing! Watermelon Granita! http://bit.ly/d03jQV [...]
The watermelon granita please! I literally just didn’t buy a watermelon yesterday because there are only two of us home at the moment and I didn’t think we’d finish it – but with that recipe we could! Thanks for sharing it.
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This is perfect timing for me, because I have half a watermelon in my fridge right now and I was worried we couldn’t eat it fast enough. Thanks!
Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect´s last blog ..More Than Defined- Using the F Word
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Both look really good and I could use one right now
It isn’t even 9 a.m. and it is almost 90 degrees.
Tammy @ Not Just Paper and Glue´s last blog ..Holly from 504 Main is Visiting!
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My kids have been living on Popsicles! I’d love to try making them with watermelon!
Melinda´s last blog ..Frozen Kool-Aid Dessert
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Looks yummy. Haven’t made popsicles in quite awhile.
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My kiddos and I just happen to have gotten a super red, juicy watermelon from Fresh Market yesterday…. this is the PERFECT recipe for us! Thanks so much for sharing!!!
Quit Eating Out´s last blog ..Post 3 of 3- Fun Drink
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Looks like we are both on the same page with all that extra watermelon! Your pops and granita look great. So much cheaper & fresher than the store bought pops. Looking forward to meeting you soon.
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[...] so super hot right now, I thought I would share these yummy Homemade Popsicles. Last week, we made Watermelon Granita, and with some of the leftover juice, I made these Popsicles. When I buy watermelon, even though I [...]