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Home ยป Dessert Recipes

Espresso Panna Cotta ~ 5 Ingredients TONS of Flavor!

Published: May 1, 2020 ยท Modified: May 9, 2020 by Madalaine ยท This post may contain affiliate links ยท

โ†“ Jump to Recipe
A few years ago I held a cooking class with my girlfriend, Deb.ย  She shared this Espresso Panna Cotta with me and it's been a favorite ever since.ย  It's the best recipe I've found for a creamy light coffee treat that's perfect for an any time snack or a dinner party. espresso panna cotta at an angle with whip topping and chocolate shavings

Before we jump into this creamy treat, take a quick second to sign up for this month's $50 Giveaway!ย  This giveaway is open to everyone.ย  It doesn't matter if you're new to my blog or if you've been a subscriber since I started.ย 

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Back to Espresso Panna Cotta

This is one of my favorite dessert recipes to make in the summer because there's no baking!ย  With only 5 ingredients and a little time to let it set up, it's the perfect recipe to highlight for this month's Giveaway! (Plus, Jerry's been begging me to make it! ๐Ÿ˜ƒ) panna cotta in a champagne flute with coffee on the table

How to Make Espresso Panna Cotta

You can makes this dessert up to 2 days before you're ready to serve it up.ย  But they need at least 4 hours to set up. 5 ingredients for espresso panna cotta: milk, cream, gelatin, sugar and powdered espresso
  1. Pour ยฝ cup of whole milk into a small saucepan and sprinkle 1 ยฝ teaspoons of unflavored gelatin over the top.ย  Let this rest for 5 minutes to soften the gelatin.
  2. Stir over medium heat until it starts to steam and the gelatin is completely dissolved.ย  DO NOT LET IT BOIL.pouring cream into milk mixture
  3. Turn off the heat and add 1 ยฝ cups heavy cream, 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder, and ยผ cup sugar and ยฝ teaspoon salt.ย  stirring espresso powder into milk mixture
  4. Stir the cream mixture until the sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat and let it cool until it's only warm to the touch.ย  Divide it evenly between 4 glasses.ย  pouring panna cotta mixture into glasses
  6. Cover and refrigerate until they are set,ย  about 4-6 hours.
  7. Serve with a flourish of whip cream (like Redi Whip) and decorate with white chocolate and dark chocolate shavings.
close up of espresso panna cotta with whip topping, shavings and a raspberry

Create a beautiful presentation

Putting it in a pretty martini glass makes an elegant presentation. And it's sooooo easy!!!ย  It's a must if you're having people over, because making it the day before allows all the flavors to come together.ย  tilt a glass and pour mixture to set at an angle The more you can do the day before a party, the better!ย  Until the doorbell rings, I am literally running around the house like a crazy person. setting the panna cotta at an angle It drives my husband nuts, but I have no idea how there are suddenly 73 things that have to be done right before our friends come over. ย Go figure.ย  espresso panna cotta at an angle with whip topping and chocolate shavings

Espresso Panna Cotta Variations

Panna cotta is one of the most versatile desserts I know.ย  It's very forgiving and it never disappoints!
  • If dairy is an issue, no problem. ย Use coconut or almond milk in place of the milk and cream. ย 
  • Low carb option - Replace milk for heavy cream for a total of 2 cups heavy cream.ย  Substitute ยผ cup Truvia and 4 drops Stevia for sugar.
  • Low fat option - Replace whole milk and heavy cream with 2 cups skim milk.
  • Caffeine Free - Switch out instant espresso with either decaf espresso or ยผ cup instant decaf coffee
  • Mocha - Add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder and drizzle a little chocolate sauce on top before you serve it. ๐Ÿ˜‹
If gluten is something you like to avoid, no big deal. ย It's always gluten free. ย  If you don't care for coffee, no worries! ย Replace the powdered espresso with 1 tablespoon vanilla or 1 teaspoon of your favorite extract. ย  If you try this recipe and create your own flavor creation, please let me know! ย  2 espresso panna cotta in champagne glasses with coffee Top off this smooth creamy delight with a "whoooooosh" of Reddi-wip, some chocolate shavings, and voila. ย So good!ย 
Lakeside ladle cook class
Thanks Deb for a great foolproof recipe! โค๏ธ

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Espresso Panna Cotta - a fast and easy dessert fancy enough for a large dinner party, simple and satisfying enough for any time! | www.lakesidetable.com
4.6 from 10 votes
Print

Espresso Panna Cotta

This low carb dessert is so easy to make ahead and have at the ready.  It's fancy enough for a dinner party and simple enough to have any time! | www.lakesidetable.com
Course Dessert
Cuisine Spanish
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 326.52 kcal
Author Madalaine

Ingredients

  • ยฝ cup whole milk
  • 1 ยฝ teaspoons unflavored gelatin
  • 1 ยฝ cups heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
  • ยผ cup sugar or Truvia for lower carbs
  • pinch of salt
  • whip topping Reddi Whip
  • 1 small white chocolate bar for garnish
  • 1 small dark chocolate bar for garnish

Equipment

  • 4 pretty cups or glasses for serving
  • small saucepan and whisk
  • vegetable peeler

Instructions

  1. In the saucepan, sprinkle the gelatin over the milk and let stand for 5 minutes to soften the gelatin.

  2. Stir over medium heat until it steams.  Do NOT let it boil.

  3. Add cream, the espresso powder, sugar (Truvia), and salt.  Lower heat and stir until sugar dissolves about 3 minutes.

  4. Remove from heat and let cool.
  5. Pour cream mixture into serving glasses, cover, and refrigerate.
  6. Stir every 20 minutes for the first hour.
  7. Chill until set, at least 6 hours and up to 2 days.

Recipe Notes

Thank you for a wonderful dessert, Deb! ย This is Jerry's favorite! ๐Ÿ™‚

Nutrition Facts
Espresso Panna Cotta
Amount Per Serving
Calories 326.52 Calories from Fat 306
% Daily Value*
Fat 34.02g52%
Saturated Fat 21.13g132%
Cholesterol 125.32mg42%
Sodium 47.03mg2%
Potassium 107.2mg3%
Carbohydrates 3.96g1%
Sugar 1.64g2%
Protein 2.79g6%
Vitamin A 1361.38IU27%
Vitamin C 0.54mg1%
Calcium 92.48mg9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Looking for an easy dessert that rich, creamy and truly satisfying? Try my Espresso Panna Cotta! It's like your favorite jeans: dress it up or dress it down; perfect for a fancy dinner party or midnight snack! โค๏ธ| www.lakesidetabe.com #easydessert #5ingredients #easyrecipe #healthysnack #dinnerparty #coffeedessert #coffee #ketodessert #paleodessert #beautifulfood

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Comments

  1. Deb Hatfield says

    November 25, 2018 at 9:13 am

    5 stars
    This really is a crowd pleaser - and so simple.

  2. Deb says

    May 01, 2020 at 10:19 pm

    5 stars
    Now you know I have to make this soon! One of my favorites too!!

  3. Surya says

    June 28, 2020 at 9:20 pm

    5 stars
    This looks delicious i love espresso desserts!

  4. Victoria says

    July 27, 2020 at 2:54 am

    Coffee lovers rejoice! I love love love the creative presentation bravo
    With this blog I am on my way to becoming my householdโ€™s Michelin starred chef

    • Madalaine says

      August 02, 2020 at 9:41 am

      Yes you are!!! Keep having fun in your kitchen and every day will be filled with joy!

4.60 from 10 votes (7 ratings without comment)
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Hi Iโ€™m Madalaine and I love helping people have FUN in their kitchen. You'll find lots of easy-to-follow gluten-free recipes and tons of tips I learned in culinary school.ย  Most of my recipes are French-inspired butย allย of my recipes are family favorites.

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