DISCLAIMER: This post was developed in sponsored partnership with Florida Department of Citrus, however, as always, all opinions are genuine.
This 2 Ingredient Florida Orange Vegan Granita Parfait is an easy healthy recipe for breakfast, snack or dessert that is refreshing, light and nutrient-packed and tastes like a creamsicle!
With the weather (finally!) warming up, and my baby belly just getting bigger, I have been pining for more refreshing frozen eats to cool me down. And while I have no qualms about digging into a pint of our friends B&J, sometimes I want something a little lighter and more refreshing. Also, sometimes I want to feel good when I choose to have said icy treat for breakfast (am-I-right?) That’s where the inspiration for this 2 ingredient Florida Orange Juice granita parfait came from. This is easy to make, nutrient-dense and something I can feel good about serving my toddler and I any time of day.
What is Granita?
Granita is an Italian frozen dessert that is similar to sorbet in that it’s made with fruit, but instead of making a smooth creamy consistency, it should have a crispy icy texture. You also do not need any fancy equipment to make granita (unlike sorbet or ice cream) since you just freeze it in a pan and then scrape it with a fork.
Key Ingredients for 2 Ingredient Florida Orange Juice Vegan Granita Parfait
Florida Orange Juice – I love using 100% Orange Juice in my recipes because it adds natural sweetness and tang, is loaded with vitamins C, folate and potassium, and has no added sugar. In fact, ½ cup of 100% orange juice has just 55 calories and 11.5 grams of naturally occurring sugar. Since only one in ten Canadians are meeting their recommended daily intake for fruits and veggies, I use every opportunity I can to sneak more in.
Vanilla Soy Yogurt– I like to use a soy based yogurt for a bit more protein, but without dairy for those of you who don’t do dairy. You can easily swap in a nice thick Greek yogurt or do plain and then sweeten it lightly with maple syrup or honey.
How to Add More Flavour and Fun to this Parfait
I love the how Florida OJ is naturally sweet, and doesn’t require any additional sweetness. However, if you want to add a touch more sweetness, you can always add maple or honey to the orange juice mixture (but try it first without, you might find you don’t need it). You can also add in a shot of orange liquor if you want an adult version, or some fresh herbs like thyme, mint or basil to add a little bit of a savoury dimension.
As you layer your granita parfait, feel free to throw in some fresh berries if you want! Raspberries, blueberries or strawberries in particular would pair beautifully with the orange juice.
Top Tip for a Perfect (Easy) Granita
The key to a quick and easy granita is to freeze the orange juice in a large pan. You can use a baking sheet (though I worry about spillage as I’m not very graceful), but I find a 9×13 tin dish works best to get the juice to freeze fast. If your container is too tall, you can’t get a nice even layer of icy juice shards so a pan that has the orange juice up no more than an inch is ideal.
FAQ about this Recipe
Can you make the orange granita ahead of time?
You can make the granita as far in advance as you want. Once it has been scraped, just pop some plastic wrap on the container and freeze until you want to assemble your parfaits. But because it is frozen, if you assemble them too early or try to keep the assembled parfaits in the fridge, it will melt and you’ll be left with orange flavoured yogurt. Delicious, yes! But not granita.
Can I use dairy yogurt instead of soy?
You can use whatever yogurt your family eats regularly at home. I do like to look for a yogurt with some protein in it and soy tends to be higher than almond or coconut based non-dairy yogurts.
Can I double the granita and have it still freeze properly?
You can, but I recommend splitting it into two containers, or just knowing that it will not freeze as quickly so you’ll need to give it more time. You may also find it’s harder to get small shards of granita if the vessel is too deep.
Is this recipe kid and toddler friendly?
Oh yes. My son adores anything with orange flavour and he also loves yogurt. He calls this ice cream and I’ve never corrected him as I served it to him at breakfast. This recipe would also be amazing for teething babies who have started solids.
Do you have any other easy summer dessert recipes?
YES! We are big on simple desserts in my house that can also double as breakfast or snacks.
Grilled Peaches with Blackberry Coconut Cream
What are some of your favourite easy desserts for Summer? Leave me a comment below and tag a fellow sweets lover!
2 Ingredient Florida Orange Vegan Granita Parfait
Ingredients
- 3 cups Florida Orange Juice
- Honey or maple syrup optional
- 3 cups vanilla yogurt vegan or Greek
- Fresh basil or mint on top (optional)
Instructions
- If using the honey or maple, mix the Florida orange juice with the honey or maple.
- Place the Florida orange juice in a 9x13 baking dish and freeze for one hour.
- Scrape the orange juice with a fork until fluffy and then re-freeze for another hour.
- When ready to serve, layer the granita with the yogurt and garnish with basil or mint.
Nutrition
Updated on October 23rd, 2020
Abbey Sharp is a Registered Dietitian (RD), regulated by the Ontario College of Dietitians. She is a mom, YouTuber, Blogger, award winning cookbook author, media coach specializing in food and nutrition influencers, and a frequent contributor to national publications like Healthline and on national broadcast TV shows.
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