Creamy Coffee Panna Cotta Recipe

Introduction

Creamy Coffee Panna Cotta is a luscious Italian dessert that perfectly blends silky cream with rich espresso flavor. It’s simple to make and impressive to serve, ideal for coffee lovers looking for a delicate sweet treat.

Ingredients

• 2 cups heavy cream
• ½ cup whole milk
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons instant espresso powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) unflavored gelatin
• 3 tablespoons water
• Optional: whipped cream & chocolate shavings for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the water and let it sit for 5 minutes until it looks soft and slightly thickened.
2. Step 2: In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, and espresso powder over medium heat. Whisk until the sugar dissolves and the coffee is fully mixed in. Be careful not to let it boil—just warm it up.
3. Step 3: Remove the saucepan from heat and whisk in the bloomed gelatin until fully dissolved. Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Step 4: For extra smoothness, strain the mixture through a fine sieve, then pour it into ramekins. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to set.
5. Step 5: To serve, dip the bottom of each ramekin in warm water for a few seconds, then flip onto a plate. Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate shavings if desired.

Tips & Variations

• Use freshly brewed espresso instead of instant powder for a stronger coffee flavor.
• For a vegan version, substitute gelatin with agar-agar and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream.
• Add a splash of coffee liqueur to the cream mixture for an adult twist.

Storage

Store panna cotta covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep it chilled until ready to serve, as it softens at room temperature. If needed, gently re-chill before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make panna cotta without gelatin?

Gelatin is essential for setting panna cotta traditionally, but you can use agar-agar as a vegetarian alternative. Follow package instructions when substituting.

How can I tell when panna cotta is fully set?

It should be firm but still slightly jiggly when shaken gently. This usually takes at least 4 hours in the fridge, though overnight is best for a perfect texture.

Creamy Coffee Panna Cotta Recipe

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4.7 from 73 reviews

This Creamy Coffee Panna Cotta is a luxurious Italian dessert perfect for coffee lovers. Made with a delicate blend of heavy cream, milk, sugar, and instant espresso powder, it offers a smooth, velvety texture with a rich coffee flavor. Set with gelatin and chilled until perfectly firm, this panna cotta is elegant and easy to prepare, ideal for impressing guests or treating yourself to a sophisticated, no-bake dessert.

• Author: Caleb
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 2 cups heavy cream
• ½ cup whole milk
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons instant espresso powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Gelatin

• 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) unflavored gelatin
• 3 tablespoons water

Optional Garnish

• Whipped cream
• Chocolate shavings

Instructions

1. Bloom the Gelatin: In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the water and let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes soft and slightly thickened, preparing it for melting into the cream mixture.
2. Heat the Cream & Coffee: In a small saucepan, combine the heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, and instant espresso powder. Warm the mixture over medium heat, whisking until the sugar fully dissolves and the coffee flavor is evenly incorporated. Be careful not to let the mixture boil; it should be just heated through.
3. Add the Gelatin & Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from heat and whisk in the bloomed gelatin until completely dissolved. Stir in the vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.
4. Pour into Ramekins & Chill: For extra smoothness, strain the mixture through a fine sieve. Then, pour the liquid evenly into ramekins. Cover each ramekin with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, until the panna cotta is set and firm.
5. Serve & Enjoy: To serve, gently dip the bottoms of the ramekins in warm water for a few seconds to loosen the panna cotta. Invert onto dessert plates. Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate shavings if desired for an elegant presentation.

Notes

• Do not boil the cream mixture as it may affect the texture and flavor.
• The optional straining step ensures a silky smooth panna cotta without any lumps.
• You can substitute instant espresso powder with strong brewed coffee for a different coffee intensity.
• For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but the texture will be less creamy.
• Ensure the panna cotta is fully chilled and set before unmolding to maintain shape.

Keywords: Coffee Panna Cotta, Italian Dessert, Creamy Coffee Dessert, Gelatin Dessert, No Bake Dessert