Mocha Panna Cotta

What is Panna Cotta?

Panna cotta is an Italian dessert that uses sweetened cream thickened with gelatin. The cream usually features coffee, vanilla, or other flavors. "Panna cotta" means "cooked cream" in Italian. This dessert boasts a smooth, creamy texture. Traditionally, you mold it, but you can also serve it in mini dessert cups. Often, you serve it with fruit coulis, caramel, or chocolate sauce. This simple yet elegant dessert can be made in advance and chilled until set.

What does Mocha Taste Like?

Mocha is a flavor that combines the strong taste of coffee with the sweetness of chocolate. This blend creates a rich, creamy flavor. It can also be more subtle, with a slight coffee undertone and a sweet chocolate taste. This balanced flavor is perfect for anyone who loves both coffee and chocolate.

Ingredients in Mocha Panna Cotta

Panna Cotta:

• 2 teaspoons gelatine: This is the thickening agent that helps the panna cotta set.
• 2 tablespoons water: Used to bloom the gelatine, which means hydrating it so it can dissolve properly.
• 200 mL milk (6.8 fl oz): Adds creaminess and helps dissolve the coffee and sugar.
• ½ cup sugar (100g): Sweetens the panna cotta.
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules (or to taste): Provides the mocha flavor with a coffee undertone.
• 160 g chopped dark chocolate (5.6 oz): Adds rich chocolate flavor and creaminess.
• 1-2 teaspoons vanilla (or to taste): Enhances the overall flavor with a hint of vanilla.
• 600 mL heavy cream, cold (2 ½ Cups ): Adds richness and helps cool the mixture quickly to set properly.

Chocolate Truffle Topping:

• 200 g dark chocolate (7 oz): Used to make a rich and smooth chocolate truffle topping.
• 150 g heavy cream (5.3 oz): When combined with chocolate, it creates a creamy truffle texture.
• ½ tablespoon cocoa powder: Used to dust the top of the panna cotta for an extra chocolatey touch.

How To Make Mocha Panna Cotta

Prepare the Gelatine

Mix the gelatine and cold water in a small bowl. Stir well and let it sit to bloom. This process hydrates the gelatine, ensuring it dissolves properly later.

Cook the Panna Cotta Base

In a saucepan, combine the milk, instant coffee, and sugar. Stir constantly while bringing the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it reaches a boil, remove the saucepan from the heat.

Combine Ingredients

Add the chopped dark chocolate and bloomed gelatine to the hot milk mixture. Stir until the chocolate and gelatine fully dissolve. Strain the mixture through a mesh strainer into a heatproof jug to remove any lumps.

Add Cream and Cool

Stir in the vanilla and cold heavy cream. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes to cool slightly, then stir again. Pour the mixture into mini dessert cups.

Set the Mocha Panna Cotta

Place the dessert cups in the refrigerator. Allow the panna cotta to set for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.

Prepare the Chocolate Truffle Topping

Heat the heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat. Remove the cream from the heat just before it boils. Add the dark chocolate to the hot cream and stir until melted and smooth. Pour the mixture into a bowl and refrigerate until firm.

Assemble the Dessert

Remove the mocha panna cotta from the refrigerator. Dust the tops lightly with cocoa powder. Take the set chocolate truffle out of the refrigerator. Dip a spoon into hot water, then scrape along the surface of the truffle to form curls. Place a chocolate truffle curl on top of each panna cotta. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Fay's Top Tip

The most important tip for making Mocha Panna Cotta is to ensure that the gelatine blooms properly. Blooming the gelatine in cold water allows it to hydrate and dissolve evenly when mixed with the hot ingredients. This step is crucial for achieving a smooth and creamy panna cotta texture without any lumps or graininess.

Recipe Variations

White Chocolate Mocha Panna Cotta

Replace the dark chocolate with white chocolate for a sweeter, creamier version of the dessert. The coffee flavor will stand out more against the white chocolate.

Caramel Mocha Panna Cotta

Add a tablespoon of caramel sauce to the milk mixture while heating. This adds a rich, buttery flavor that complements the coffee and chocolate.

Mocha Panna Cotta with Berry Compote

Top the panna cotta with a fresh berry compote instead of the chocolate truffle topping. The tartness of the berries pairs beautifully with the mocha flavor.

Vegan Mocha Panna Cotta

Use coconut milk or almond milk instead of dairy milk and cream. Substitute agar-agar for the gelatine to make it vegan-friendly. Adjust the quantities according to the agar-agar package instructions.

More Panna Cotta Recipes

• Turkish Delight Panna Cotta
• Caramel Panna Cotta
• Blueberry Panna Cotta

See more mini desserts served in cups including cheesecake and chocolate mousse.

Video Tutorials for Panna Cotta

• White Chocolate Panna Cotta with Berry Compote
• Turkish Delight Panna Cotta