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    Home > Dessert

    Published: May 10, 2021 · Modified: Apr 14, 2023 by Helen S Fletcher · This post may contain affiliate links · 9 Comments

    Effortless Tiramasu Inspired Panna Cotta

    Panna Cotta

    The Italian pudding-like dessert served cold, Panna Cotta, was never my first choice for dessert. When I originally tried it, I thought it tasted like vanilla flavored milk.  Probably because it was, just set with gelatin.  That does not get my taste buds going.

    David Lebovitz recently posted an intriguing Coffee Caramel Panna Cotta that made me think perhaps I was missing something.  So, I revisited this Italian specialty. David made caramel using the dry method where the sugar is just melted in a wide pan and brought to a deeply browned color.  That is where we parted ways.  With no shame at all, I have to tell you I have never been able to do this.  I make my caramel pastry this way but it isn’t a good fit for panna cotta.  I suppose I could go through the beginning and then just add cream, but this is supposed to be effortless.

    So, I opted for using Golden Syrup as my sweetener. As you all know if you have followed the blog for a while, I fell in love with it the first time I used it.  It has a caramel like taste that lingers.  I also use pure vanilla for this and in fact, I use Tahitian Vanilla just as I do in the Tiramasu that is so loved at the restaurant.  But any good vanilla will do.  Dark rum, for its intensity of flavor, is a must.  If  you don't have Golden Syrup sweeten with sugar to taste.

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    I noticed a lot of recipes use both milk and heavy cream.  I opted for half and half to make my life easier.

    Make it as you Please

    You will notice there is some variance in the measurements for a few ingredients.  It depends totally on your taste.  Do you like your coffee strong?  Weak?  In between?  How sweet do you prefer?  Just follow the basics and make as you wish.

    One of the best things about this Panna Cotta is that it can go from elegant to BBQ in a blink of an eye and it’s the perfect easy, cold summer dessert.

    Effortless Panna Cotta

    1 tablespoon pure vanilla*
    1 tablespoon dark rum**
    1 to 2 tablespoons instant coffee or espresso powder
    1 tablespoon powdered gelatin* (10 grams or a scant ⅓ ounce)
    ½ cup half and half from the measured amount
    ⅓ to ½ cup golden syrup*** or sugar to taste
    3 cups half and half

    *I used Tahitian vanilla
    ** I used Meyer’s Dark Rum
    *** I used Lyle’s Golden Syrup

    Combine the vanilla, rum and ½ cup half and half from the measured amount.  Sprinkle the gelatin on top and stir it in.  Allow it to sit for 5 or 10 minutes.  It takes longer to bloom in milk and in water.

    In the meantime, combine the golden syrup and remaining half and half.  Heat it to take the  chill off the cream.

    Once the gelatin has softened, microwave or heat it briefly to liquify it.  Add it to the half and  half and warm the mixture to make sure it is completely combined.

    Pour it into serving bowls or cups and let it set up overnight in the refrigerator.

    This should be served very cold.  It will be softly set but will not keep it’s shape if unmolded.

    Finishing the Panna Cotta

    ½ cup cream
    1 to 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
    ½ teaspoon vanilla
    ½ teaspoon dark rum, optional
    Shaved chocolate

    Combine in the bowl of a mixer.  Beat until soft to medium peak stage.  Spoon a bit of whipped cream onto each of the panna cotta and sprinkle with shaved chocolate.

    Refrigerate Panna Cotta.  It will keep 3 or 4 days in the refrigerator.  Serve cold.

    Yield:  It depends upon the dishes, but 6 half cup servings are good.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lily says

      May 11, 2021 at 9:47 am

      Hi Helen, another question related to a past post here. Your painted cookies, do you know how many approximately cookies one can get from the recipe? Thanks

      Reply
      • hfletcher says

        May 11, 2021 at 9:57 am

        Hi Lily - there is no way of knowing. It depends upon the size of the cutters you use - small, medium, large or a combnination. It also depends upon how thick the dough is rolled, generally thinner for small cookies, thicker for larger ones.

        Reply
        • Lily says

          May 11, 2021 at 10:43 am

          Thank you.

          Reply
    2. Diane Perris says

      May 10, 2021 at 4:24 pm

      Regarding the caffeine, I have used those little Via packets from Starbucks for any recipe that calls for espresso powder or instant coffee. You can get it in decaf. One packet equals about a tsp. and the flavoring is deep and rich without the caffeine.

      Reply
      • hfletcher says

        May 10, 2021 at 5:13 pm

        Thanks Diane for the information. Sounds like a really good way to make this recipe without the caffeine.

        Reply
    3. Maria Silverio says

      May 10, 2021 at 9:39 am

      I would love to do this but am confused about the 1/2 cup half and half rom the measured amount? Can you clarify please? Thanks. It looks good.

      Reply
      • hfletcher says

        May 10, 2021 at 12:46 pm

        Remove 1/2 cup of half and half from the 3 cups called for in the recipe.

        Reply
    4. Patty says

      May 10, 2021 at 6:54 am

      I love tiramisu but cannot sleep because of the coffee. What other flavors do you recommend?

      Reply
      • hfletcher says

        May 10, 2021 at 12:47 pm

        Hi Patty, this is the only one I've done. I have been decaffinated for years because of a problem but decaf coffee and tea don't bother me.

        Reply

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