Picture this, you’ve just finished a delicious meal at a great restaurant and shortly after, your server comes to the table and hands you the dessert menu for you to peruse. After a quick look, you find yourself reaching for your phone because it’s time to do some research. Panna cotta? What the heck is that? Maybe you’ve heard of panna cotta, but you don’t actually know what panna cotta is. Right? Am I right? Don’t worry about it! I’m here to save the day!
What Is Panna Cotta?
I’m so glad that you asked! It’s Italy’s answer to pudding or custard. Except this one is made without any eggs! Cool, right? Instead, panna cotta is made using gelatin. No, not the flavored kind that’s neon green…that’s JELL-O guys! Which, is made from gelatin. So actually, you’re not too far off. But this gelatin is flavorless and doesn’t contain any sugar. It’s used to help turn the liquid ingredients into semi-soft-solid-ish state (huh?). Still with me? Usually panna cotta is made with some combination of cream, milk, or half and half along with gelatin and flavorings of your choice.
Why Do I Want to Eat That?
Right? I’m really not “selling” it, am I? But here’s the deal, panna cotta actually delicious. And not only that, it’s super easy to make. Which I prove to you in the recipe below. You can literally make it before your guests arrive for dinner, pop it in the fridge and then take it out right when the kids start asking “where’s dessert?” And I really love that you can flavor it in so many ways. I’ve used vanilla in this recipe, but you could use all kinds of extracts and spices to make it your own.
Um, Skyr, Sara?
Oh right, I almost forgot to tell you that you can also make this with yogurt or Icelandic skyr, which is kind of like Greek yogurt. It adds a fun tang to balance the sweetness. And it’s divine. So, I’ve used it in the recipe below. And FYI – you can also swap in non-dairy milks too for the cream and milk, so no worries if you’ve got a milk intolerance or allergy. You’re a believer now, right? Excellent. Now it’s time for you to go make some!
Vanilla Skyr Panna Cotta
Description
Who knew making panna cotta was so easy? Well it is and you should try this Vanilla Skyr Panna Cotta because it’s a fun twist on this delicious dessert.
Ingredients
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 ½ teaspoons unflavored powdered gelatin
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 rounded tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup plain skyr or Greek yogurt
- 5 ounces frozen raspberries, chopped
- shaved dark chocolate, garnish
- confectioner’s sugar, garnish
Instructions
- Place milk in small mixing bowl. Sprinkle the gelatin over the top. Let sit for about 5 minutes to soften (bloom).
- In a small saucepan, combine the cream, sugar and vanilla. Set over medium heat and stir to dissolve sugar, about 3-5 minutes. Do not let it boil.
- Take the pan off of the heat and whisk in the gelatin mixture, stirring until dissolved. Check to see if gelatin is fully dissolved by rubbing the mixture between your fingers. If you feel any grittiness, set the pan back on the heat and cook a few minutes longer. Whisk in skyr.
- Pour into four 4-ounce ramekins and refrigerate until set, about 1 hour.
- For serving: Top with raspberries and chocolate shavings and sprinkle of confectioner’s sugar.
