Easy Panna Cotta

Serves 4

240 mins

280 Kcal

Panna Cotta is an old-fashioned Italian dessert that is easy to prepare and tastes fantastic. The Italian name "Panna Cotta" means "cooked cream," the product entirely lives up to the name. In this creamy, silky dessert, there aren't more than a few essential ingredients, but it tastes richly indulgent and perfect for just about any time. Panna cotta's beauty lies in flexibility. You can flavour it with vanilla, coffee or citrus and top it with everything from fresh berries to caramel sauce. For the panna cotta, gelatin is melted into the sugar and cream, then heated to help set the dessert to a smooth, custard-like consistency. It's poured into moulds, chilled until set, and can be enjoyed when needed-it's the ultimate make-ahead dessert. The result is a luscious, melt-in-your-mouth treat that's just sweet enough but not rich enough to be overpowering. Panna Cotta will be great for dinner parties, casual get-to-gatherings, or a weeknight treat because they take minimal preparation and only some chill time to set. This sweet delight's smooth texture and fragile flavours present it as an elegant dessert that is sure to impress yet can be prepared even by a beginning cook. Plus, you can personalise it to your taste, making it taste how you like it. It could be creamy flavours implored to the cream or topped with fruits, chocolates, or even honey.

Ingredients required for Easy Panna Cotta

Desiccated coconut
Coconut milk
100 gms sugar
2 ripe mangoes

Cooking steps for Easy Panna Cotta

1
When you're craving a dessert that's both tropical and fancy, this easy Panna Cotta is your go-to!
2
It's creamy, fruity, and looks like it belongs in a fancy caf , but it's so easy to make that it'll become a regular treat.
3
Start by mixing 10 grams of unflavored gelatin powder in 2 tablespoons of water.
4
Let it sit for 5 minutes to bloom—this step is essential for that silky texture.
5
In a saucepan, heat 400 ml of coconut milk and 100 grams of sugar over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely.
6
Once the mixture is warm (not boiling), add the bloomed gelatin and stir until it fully dissolves.
7
Remove the pan from heat and let the mixture cool for about 10 minutes to prevent the gelatin from setting too quickly.
8
Meanwhile, peel and chop 2 ripe mangoes and blend them into a smooth puree.
9
Mix the mango puree with 200 ml of coconut milk to create the vibrant second layer for your panna cotta.
10
To assemble, pour the cooled coconut milk mixture halfway into serving glasses or molds.
11
Chill the glasses in the fridge for about 1 hour, or until the first layer is firm to the touch.
12
Next, pour the mango-coconut mixture over the set layer, filling the glasses to the top.
13
Refrigerate for another 2–3 hours, or until both layers are fully set.
14
Before serving, garnish with fresh mango slices and a sprinkle of desiccated coconut for an extra tropical flair.
15
This easy panna cotta recipe is smooth, creamy, and bursting with the dreamy flavors of coconut and mango.
16
Perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself, this recipe of easy panna cotta is as stunning as it is delicious.
17
Enjoy this elegant yet simple dessert for any occasion!

Shop Ingredients

Coconut Milk

122

108

153

125

147

115

250

Sugar (100 gms)

235

294

261

Ripe Mangoes (2)

FAQs

Can I make Panna Cotta ahead of time?

Yes, Panna Cotta is the perfect make-ahead dessert. It needs to chill for at least 4 hours but can be made up to 1-2 days in advance. Just prepare the panna cotta, pour it into moulds or serving cups and refrigerate it. It's one of those desserts that can be made ahead of time for dinner parties or when you need to prep ahead. Wrap it tightly in plastic so that it won't absorb any funny smells from the fridge.

Can gelatin be skipped in Panna Cotta?

Yes, gelatin can be replaced with agar-agar, a plant-based substitute for this. It is obtained from seaweed, just as gelatin sets the cream. To substitute, use about half the quantity of agar-agar you would gelatin. For every one teaspoon of gelatin, use about 1/2 teaspoon of agar-agar powder. Dissolve it in hot liquid as directed, then let it cool and set it like gelatin. Keep in mind that agar-agar may set firmer than gelatin, so adjust the texture to your liking.

How do I flavour Panna Cotta?

The possibilities for flavouring Panna Cotta are immense. You can steep the cream using vanilla beans, coffee, citrus peel zest, or herbs such as rosemary and lavender. For steeping, heat the cream with your chosen flavouring (such as a vanilla bean or citrus peel), then strain it before mixing with the gelatin. Add fruit purees or chocolate to your panna cotta base and liqueurs. Layering it over fresh fruits, caramel sauce, or chocolate ganache could add those extra layers of flavour and texture.