Panna Cotta Recipe
Have you ever thought about making a delicate and sweet dessert at home? Today, I’m excited to share a recipe for a delightful treat—Panna Cotta. It’s simple and quick, with no complicated steps involved, making it easy for even beginners to master.
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Many people think that making Panna Cotta is difficult, but it’s actually easier than making jelly from a box. Most people are pleasantly surprised by how simple it is when they try making Panna Cotta for the first time. Here are some tips and things to keep in mind when making this dessert.
1. What is Panna Cotta?
Panna Cotta is a classic Italian dessert, which translates to "cooked cream" in English. It’s made from key ingredients like gelatin sheets, sugar, and milk, with optional additions like blueberries or chocolate sticks, and is set through chilling. This dessert is known for its irresistibly smooth texture that melts in your mouth, offering a truly delightful taste experience. Panna Cotta is beloved worldwide and has become a favorite among dessert lovers.
2. Ingredients and Substitutions
The key to making a delicious Panna Cotta is achieving the perfect balance between creaminess and firmness. To ensure the recipe sets correctly, it’s important to use the listed ingredients and avoid low-fat or fat-free substitutes.
Heavy Cream: Provides a rich, creamy base.
Granulated Sugar (for Panna Cotta): Adds sweetness and texture, helping to stabilize the ingredients.
Gelatin Sheets: Used as a setting agent, giving the Panna Cotta its firm yet delicate structure.
Milk: Using whole milk helps lighten the texture of the cream mixture.
Mango: For making mango puree.
Granulated Sugar: For sweetening the mango puree.
Lemon Juice: Adds a tangy balance to the mango puree, enhancing the flavor of the Panna Cotta.
Diced Mango: For garnishing the Panna Cotta.
3. Topping Variations
Panna Cotta is incredibly versatile and can be paired with a variety of toppings to enhance its flavor and presentation. Its simplicity and adaptability have made it a beloved dessert around the world. I’ve used mango puree and fresh mango, but you can also top your Panna Cotta with:
Fresh fruit (berries, sliced cherries, peaches)
Caramel sauce
Chocolate ganache or chocolate shavings
Citrus zest (lemon, lime, orange)
Nuts (sliced almonds, chopped hazelnuts, or pecans)
4. How to Ensure a Smooth Panna Cotta Texture
To achieve a smooth and silky Panna Cotta, you can strain the mixture through a fine sieve before pouring it into the molds. This step helps remove any bubbles, lumps, or undissolved particles (such as vanilla seeds or gelatin). While optional, using a fine sieve can help you create a more refined and flawless dessert.
5. How to Make Berry Sauce
A detailed tutorial will follow, but here’s a quick overview: In a small saucepan, combine half of the fresh diced mango, lemon juice, and sugar. Simmer over low heat until the mixture becomes syrupy. Stir well, then remove from heat. Spoon the mixture over the chilled Panna Cotta before serving.
6. Can You Prepare It in Advance?
Yes, you can make Panna Cotta a few days ahead, which is perfect for entertaining!
Refrigeration: Cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Add the berry sauce or decorations just before serving.
Freezing: Freezing is not recommended, as it can alter the texture and consistency of the cream.
7. More Simple Dessert Recipes
If you enjoyed this quick and easy Panna Cotta recipe, you’ll definitely want to check out these other simple dessert recipes. These delicious and easy-to-make treats are perfect for your next gathering!
Homemade Hong Kong-style Egg Tarts
Now, let’s make some delicious Panna Cotta together!
INGREDIENTS
MAIN INGREDIENTS
- 120g heavy cream
- 42g granulated sugar (for the Panna Cotta)
- 2 sheets (about 10g) gelatin
- 200ml milk
ACCESSORIES
- 100g mango
- 20g granulated sugar
- 7-8 drops lemon juice
- 1 mango, diced (for garnish)
DIRECTIONS
STEP 1
Prepare all the ingredients.
Soak the 2 sheets of gelatin in cold water until softened.
STEP 2
Heat 200ml of milk and 42g of granulated sugar in a saucepan until it reaches around 80°C. Remove from heat.
STEP 3
Add the softened and drained gelatin sheets to the mixture, stirring until completely dissolved.
STEP 4
Stir in 120g of heavy cream until well combined.
STEP 5
Strain the mixture through a fine sieve.
Tip:
This step ensures a smooth and silky texture for the Panna Cotta. You can find fine sieves at kitchen supply stores.
STEP 6
Pour the mixture into prepared molds and refrigerate for 4 hours.
Tip:
Don’t fill the molds too full; leave some space for the mango sauce. This recipe makes about 4 cups of Panna Cotta.
STEP 7
For the Mango Sauce:
In a saucepan, combine 1 diced fresh mango and 20g of granulated sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens. Add 7-8 drops of lemon juice.
STEP 8
Simmer the mango sauce until it thickens, then remove from heat and let it cool.
STEP 9
After about 4 hours, remove the set Panna Cotta from the molds and add the cooled mango sauce.
STEP 10
Top with fresh mango cubes.
STEP 11
Your delicious Panna Cotta is ready to enjoy!
Recipe analyzer
- Recipes: Panna Cotta Recipe
- Main Ingredients:8
- Servings per recipe:1
- Servings size:1 kg
-
Energy (calories)：794 kcal
-
Protein：4.54 g
-
Fat：45.64 g
Why gray?
-
Carbohydrates：105.03 g
-
Protein: 2%17 kcal
-
Fat: 51%401 kcal
-
Carbohydrates: 47%375 kcal
The ratio shows whether the proportion of both fatty acids in your diet is optimal. Red color means too much of Omega 6 or too little of Omega 3. The data are rounded off and approximate.
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