Yummy Panna Cotta with 3 Toppings and a Sweet Surprise Filling | A Fun, Kid-Friendly Creamy Dessert!

PANNA COTTA WITH 3 TOPPINGS & 

A SWEET SURPRISE

About Panna Cotta

Panna Cotta is a classic Italian dessert made from cream, sugar, and gelatin, with vanilla being the predominant flavor. The name 'Panna Cotta' means 'Cooked Cream' in Italian, which describes the simple preparation process where cream is gently heated with sugar and vanilla, then set with gelatin to form a smooth, creamy texture. Its silky, melt-in-your-mouth consistency makes it a favorite among dessert lovers worldwide.

I thought of giving this traditional recipe a twist. While many panna cotta recipes feature fruit compotes or purees as fillings, I decided to get creative and use Gems chocolate as a filling. The rich, velvety colorful chocolate adds a delightful surprise and a satisfying crunch with each bite, perfectly balancing the creamy sweetness of the panna cotta. This combination not only elevates the flavor but also adds an unexpected texture that takes this dessert to a whole new level. It’s a fun, indulgent treat that’s sure to impress guests and satisfy any sweet tooth

Recipe by: cooktwirl

Photography by: cooktwirl

 

3 Reason You’ll Love Panna Cotta

Perfect for Any Season: Panna Cotta can be enjoyed year-round. In summer, it’s refreshing when topped with berries, while in winter, it pairs wonderfully with spiced syrups, warm fruit compotes or even caramelized nuts.

Surprise Element: Panna cotta has an exciting and playful element hidden inside, offering an unexpected twist that will surprise and delight children or guests as they cut into it. As the spoon glides through the silky exterior, a vibrant burst of colors from the ‘Gems’ chocolate is revealed, captivating the eyes and a mouthwatering moment.

Light Yet Satisfying: While Panna Cotta is rich in flavor, it is not overly heavy, making it a delightful end to any meal without feeling too indulgent.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons of Water 

Gelatin 1 teaspoon

1 teaspoon Vanilla Essence

Sugar 2 tablespoons

4 tablespoons of Cream Cheese

Cream 1 cup

Ingredients 

For Toppings:

Chocolate Chips

Caramel Sauce

For Filling:

Gems Chocolate 2 packets (17 grams each)

 

Recipe Step-by-Step
 

Step-1

In a small bowl, place the gelatin and pour 2 tablespoons of cold water. Allow it to sit for about 5 minutes to bloom letting the gelatin absorb the water and soften.

Pour water on gelatin

 

Allow gelatin to bloom

Step-2

In a medium saucepan, combine the cream, sugar and cream cheese and vanilla essence.

 

Add cream, sugar and cream cheese and vanilla essence

Step-3

 

Whisk thoroughly until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth and uniform in texture.

 

Whisk all ingredients

Smooth and uniform in texture

Step-4

Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it is hot but not boiling (about 5-7 minutes). Boiling can cause the cream to curdle.

 

Heat the mixture over medium heat

Step-5

Once the cream mixture is hot, remove it from the heat.

Remove it from the heat

Step-6

Stir in the bloomed gelatin.

Add bloomed gelatin

Step-7

Make sure to whisk well so that the gelatin dissolves completely.

Whisk the gelatin well

Step-8

Let the mixture cool for a few minutes.

Let mixture cool 

Step-9

After the mixture has cooled, pour it into individual serving molds, ensuring to set aside some for later.

Pour in individual serving molds

Pour in individual serving molds

Step-10

Refrigerate for 2 hours, or until the panna cotta is slightly set.

Refrigerate for 2 hours

Step-11

After 2 hours, use a small spoon to carefully remove a small amount from the center of each panna cotta, making sure not to scoop all the way to the bottom, leaving a border of panna cotta around the edges.

Scoop in the center

Scoop in the center

Step-12

Next, add the ‘Gems’ chocolate into the hollowed-out center of the panna cotta.

Fill with chocolate

Step-13

After filling the center, use the scooped-out panna cotta to cover the filling.

Step-14

Carefully pour the reserved panna cotta back into the mold, ensuring it fills the space evenly and completely covers the filling. Let it settle gently to avoid any air bubbles.

Pour the reserved panna cotta

Let panna cotta settle gently

Step-15

Repeat the same process for the remaining 2 panna cottas.

Repeat the process

Step-16

Next, place all 3 panna cotta molds back in the refrigerator to set completely for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Set in refrigerator for 4 hours

Step-17

To demold the panna cotta, carefully immerse the bottom half of the molds in warm water for 10 seconds. This will loosen the panna cotta from the sides, making it easier to remove.

Demold the Panna Cotta

Step-18

Next, place a small plate on top of the mold and carefully turn it upside down to release the panna cotta, gently flipping it onto the plate.

Gently flip the Panna Cotta

Step-19

Repeat the same process for the remaining 2 panna cottas.

Repeat the process

Step-20

For the toppings, one panna cotta can be topped with warm caramel sauce, while the other can be garnished with chocolate chips and the third can be left plain with just vanilla.

Warm caramel sauce

Step-21

Now it's time to serve the panna cotta with its surprise filling, ready to delight and surprise the guest with a delicious hidden treat.

Panna Cotta ready to serve

Watch the Recipe Video for Panna Cotta 3 Toppings👇

Tips

Unflavored gelatin is the best choice for panna cotta because it allows you to control the texture, while giving you the flexibility to add different flavors and colors to the panna cotta later without altering its consistency.

Allow sufficient time for the gelatin to bloom properly; this ensures it dissolves evenly when heated, preventing any clumps from forming in the panna cotta.

When demolding the panna cotta, be careful not to dip it for too long, as this may cause the panna cotta to melt.

Infuse the cream with flavors like coffee,🍊 citrus zest, a dash of cinnamon or 🌿herbs (such as lavender or basil). To enhance the taste, top the panna cotta with fresh 🫐berries, fruit compote, or chocolate sauce.

To make it vegan, substitute the cream with 🥥coconut cream or almond milk, cashew milk, soy milk or oat milk🥛 and use agar-agar instead of gelatin to set the mixture.

Some delicious filling options for panna cotta include 🍫chocolate ganache, berry coulis, vanilla custard, nut butter, and mascarpone cheese🧀, creating a delightful surprise for anyone who takes a bite!

Panna cotta can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days, making it a convenient dessert for dinner parties or special occasions. This allows you to plan ahead, leaving you with more time to enjoy your event without the stress of last-minute preparation.

Equipment's Used for the Recipe

Saucepan

Whisk

Measuring Cup or jug

Spoons

Small Bowls

Molds or Ramekins

Refrigerator

Conclusion

Panna cotta is a delightful and sophisticated dessert that offers limitless options for customization, making it ideal for any occasion. Its rich, creamy texture and smooth consistency create the perfect base to infuse a wide range of flavors, from traditional vanilla to whatever creative flavor you desire. Simple to prepare yet impressive to serve, panna cotta is sure to leave a lasting impression on your guests and provide a memorable conclusion to any meal. Plus, it can be made in advance, allowing you to relax and enjoy your event without the pressure of last-minute preparations.