Marry This Pioneer Woman Raspberry Orange Italian Ice is a vibrant and refreshing recipe, which is made with fresh raspberries and tangy orange juice. It’s the perfect light and fruity dessert for a hot day, ready in about 1 hour.
Jump to RecipePioneer Woman Raspberry Orange Italian Ice Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh raspberries, plus a few extra for garnish
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 1/2 cups ice
How To Make Pioneer Woman Raspberry Orange Italian Ice
- Chill the Pan: Place a 9×13-inch pan or a similar shallow metal pan in the freezer to get it very cold. This will help the Italian ice freeze faster.
- Make the Fruit Puree: In a blender, combine the raspberries, orange juice, and sugar. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth.
- Strain the Seeds: Place a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl and pour the blended mixture through it. Use a spatula to press the puree through the sieve, leaving the raspberry seeds behind. Discard the seeds.
- Blend with Ice: Return the smooth, seedless fruit puree to the blender. Add the ice and blend again until the mixture is smooth and has a slushy consistency.
- First Freeze: Pour the blended mixture into the chilled pan from the freezer. Place the pan back in the freezer for 20 minutes.
- Scrape the Ice: After 20 minutes, remove the pan from the freezer. Use a fork to scrape the frozen edges of the mixture towards the center, breaking up any large ice crystals.
- Final Freeze and Serve: Place the pan back in the freezer for another 20 minutes to allow it to firm up further. Once the Italian ice has reached your desired consistency, scoop it into serving glasses, garnish with a few fresh raspberries, and serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- How to get the best texture? For the quickest freeze and the best, smoothest texture, ensure your raspberries and orange juice are well-chilled before you start. Pre-chilling the pan is also a crucial step.
- How do I adjust the sweetness? The sweetness of raspberries can vary. After you make the initial puree (before adding the ice), give it a taste. You can add a little more sugar at this stage if you think it needs it.
- Why do I have to strain the puree? Straining the blended raspberries is the key to a smooth, professional-quality Italian ice. It removes all the tiny, gritty seeds for a perfectly silky texture.
- Why do you scrape it with a fork? Scraping the mixture as it freezes is what creates the light, fluffy, and crystal-like texture of classic Italian ice, rather than a solid block of fruit-flavored ice.
Recipe Variations
- Try Different Fruits: This method works wonderfully with other fruit combinations. Try strawberry and lemon, blackberry and lime, or even mango and passionfruit for different flavors.
What To Serve With Raspberry Orange Italian Ice
This refreshing dessert is perfect on its own, but you can also garnish it with:
- A sprig of fresh mint
- A thin slice of orange
- A dollop of whipped cream for a creamy contrast
How To Store Raspberry Orange Italian Ice
- Freeze: Store any leftovers in an airtight, freezer-safe container in the freezer. It will become quite hard, so let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly before scooping and serving.
Raspberry Orange Italian Ice Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 60 kcal
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Sugar: 12g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Do I need an ice cream maker for this recipe?
No, this recipe is great because it doesn’t require any special equipment other than a blender and a pan. The scraping method mimics the churning of an ice cream maker.
Can I use frozen raspberries?
Yes, you can use frozen raspberries. If you do, you may need to use slightly less ice, as the frozen berries will already contribute to the slushy texture.
Can I use a different kind of juice?
Absolutely. While orange juice pairs beautifully with raspberry, you could also use apple juice, white grape juice, or even just water with a squeeze of lemon.
Try More Recipes:
Pioneer Woman Raspberry Orange Italian Ice Recipe
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings20
minutes60
kcalA simple, vibrant, and refreshing homemade Italian ice with the sweet and tangy flavors of raspberry and orange.
Ingredients
2 cups raspberries, plus more for garnish
¼ cup orange juice
¼ cup sugar
2 ½ cups ice
Directions
- Place a 9×13-inch pan in the freezer to chill.
- In a blender, blend raspberries, orange juice, and sugar until smooth.
- Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the seeds.
- Return the seedless puree to the blender, add the ice, and blend until slushy.
- Pour into the chilled pan and freeze for 20 minutes.
- Remove from the freezer and scrape with a fork.
- Freeze for another 20 minutes. Scoop into glasses, garnish, and serve.
Notes
- Chilling your ingredients and the pan beforehand will give you the best results.
- Straining the seeds from the raspberry puree is crucial for a smooth texture.
- The scraping process is what creates the light, icy consistency of Italian ice.
- This recipe is best enjoyed immediately for the perfect slushy texture.
