Hamdi Saidani Christmas Panna Cotta is a creamy, silky dessert made with heavy cream, vanilla, and sugar, perfect for festive gatherings this recipe serves 8 and takes about 30 minutes to prepare, with chilling time included for best results.
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💜 🎄Why You’ll Love This Christmas Panna Cotta Recipe:
- Elegant yet Simple: This dessert looks sophisticated but is easy to make with just a few ingredients.
- Perfect for Make-Ahead: Prepare Christmas Panna Cotta ahead of time and chill for a stress-free holiday dessert.
- Customizable: You can play with flavors and toppings to suit your guests’ preferences.
- Crowd Pleaser: Its creamy texture and subtle sweetness make it a favorite for both kids and adults.
- Festive Presentation: Garnish with red berries or mint for a holiday-inspired look.
❓ 🎅 What Is Christmas Panna Cotta Recipe?
Christmas Panna Cotta is a creamy Italian dessert made of heavy cream, milk, sugar, and gelatin, typically flavored with vanilla. It’s a light, chilled dessert perfect for Christmas celebrations, served with festive garnishes like berries or mint.
🍇 Christmas Panna Cotta Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 vanilla bean (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
- 1 packet gelatin (unflavored)
- Fresh berries or mint leaves (for garnish)
🍧 How To Make Christmas Panna Cotta
- In a small bowl, combine gelatin and 2 tablespoons of cold water. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the gelatin softens.
- In a saucepan, heat heavy cream, milk, and sugar over medium heat. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean and add both the seeds and the pod to the pan. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Remove the vanilla pod from the cream mixture. Stir the softened gelatin into the warm cream until fully dissolved.
- Divide the mixture into six ramekins or small glasses. Let them cool slightly before placing them in the fridge to set for at least 4 hours.
- Once set, unmold the panna cotta by running a knife around the edges. Serve chilled, garnished with fresh berries or mint leaves.
⛄ Recipe Tips ⛄:
- Use Full-Fat Ingredients: Full-fat cream and milk give the panna cotta its signature rich texture. Don’t substitute with low-fat versions.
- Ensure Gelatin is Fully Dissolved: If the gelatin isn’t fully dissolved, the panna cotta may not set properly, leaving a grainy texture.
- Avoid Boiling the Cream: Keep the cream mixture at a simmer to avoid curdling. Boiling can affect the texture of the dessert.
- Serve with Toppings: Fresh berries, a drizzle of caramel, or a dusting of powdered sugar can add a festive touch to your Christmas Panna Cotta.
🍡 What To Serve With Christmas Panna Cotta?
Serve Christmas Panna Cotta with fresh berries, biscotti, or a drizzle of fruit coulis for a festive presentationpair it with holiday beverages like mulled wine or eggnog to complete the dessert experience.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers Christmas Panna Cotta?
- In The Fridge: Store leftovers christmas panna cotta covered in plastic wrap or airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep it chilled until ready to serve.
- In the Freezer (Short-Term): Freeze leftovers christmas panna cotta for up to a week by wrapping it tightly with plastic wrap. Thaw in the fridge for several hours before serving. Note that the texture may change slightly.
FAQ’S
What makes Christmas Panna Cotta different from regular panna cotta?
Christmas Panna Cotta is typically garnished with festive toppings like berries, mint, or holiday spices, making it a perfect dessert for the holiday season. You can also add a hint of cinnamon or nutmeg for a seasonal touch.
Can I make Christmas Panna Cotta without gelatin?
While gelatin is a traditional ingredient in Christmas Panna Cotta, you can use agar-agar as a vegetarian substitute. However, the texture will be slightly different since agar-agar sets more firmly than gelatin.
What type of molds can I use for Christmas Panna Cotta?
You can use any small molds or ramekins for Christmas Panna Cotta. Silicone molds are ideal as they make it easy to unmold the dessert. Alternatively, you can serve it directly in glasses or cups for a simple yet elegant presentation.
How can I prevent lumps in Christmas Panna Cotta?
To avoid lumps in Christmas Panna Cotta, ensure the gelatin is fully dissolved in the cream mixture. Straining the mixture before pouring it into molds also helps create a smooth, lump-free texture.
What should I do if my Christmas Panna Cotta doesn’t set properly?
If your Christmas Panna Cotta doesn’t set properly, it could be due to insufficient gelatin or the cream mixture being too hot when the gelatin was added. You can try reheating the mixture gently and adding more dissolved gelatin to help it set.
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Christmas Panna Cotta Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 308
- Total Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
- Sodium: 40mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 24g
- Sugars: 22g
- Protein: 3g
- Vitamin D: 2mcg
- Calcium: 100mg
Christmas Panna Cotta
Description
Christmas Panna Cotta is a creamy, silky dessert made with heavy cream, vanilla, and sugar, perfect for festive gatherings this recipe serves 8 and takes about 30 minutes to prepare, with chilling time included for best results.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine gelatin and 2 tablespoons of cold water. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the gelatin softens.
- In a saucepan, heat heavy cream, milk, and sugar over medium heat. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean and add both the seeds and the pod to the pan. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Remove the vanilla pod from the cream mixture. Stir the softened gelatin into the warm cream until fully dissolved.
- Divide the mixture into six ramekins or small glasses. Let them cool slightly before placing them in the fridge to set for at least 4 hours.
- Once set, unmold the panna cotta by running a knife around the edges. Serve chilled, garnished with fresh berries or mint leaves.
Notes
- Use Full-Fat Ingredients: Full-fat cream and milk give the panna cotta its signature rich texture. Don’t substitute with low-fat versions.
Ensure Gelatin is Fully Dissolved: If the gelatin isn’t fully dissolved, the panna cotta may not set properly, leaving a grainy texture.
Avoid Boiling the Cream: Keep the cream mixture at a simmer to avoid curdling. Boiling can affect the texture of the dessert.
Serve with Toppings: Fresh berries, a drizzle of caramel, or a dusting of powdered sugar can add a festive touch to your Christmas Panna Cotta.
