Coconut Strawberry Panna Cotta

Smooth and creamy coconut milk panna cotta is layered with a fresh strawberry gelee for a simple but beautiful summer dessert. This coconut strawberry panna cotta is the perfect make-ahead dessert as well.

Panna cotta is one of those surprisingly effortless desserts that passes off as uber fancy and posh. Smooth, creamy, and perfectly set with the slightest jiggle, making panna cotta at home can seem daunting at first, but it is really quite simple. I am typically scared of anything that involves gelatin because if your proportions are off, gelatin desserts can be a huge flop. But with this easy panna  cotta recipe, you can make this beloved Italian dessert right at home!

Panna cotta (which literally means “cooked cream”) is made by simmering sweetened heavy cream and thickening it with gelatin. It is set in small bowls and unmolded just before serving, but you can serve it in pretty dessert glasses as well. An easy way to modify traditional panna cotta is by using coconut milk instead of dairy cream. I like this version better because the mild coconut flavor adds a lovely element of surprise as you take your first bite. And of course, in summer the best way to further jazz up panna cotta is by adding a layer of fresh berry sauce or gelee.

Since we live in Texas, berry season begins way earlier than anywhere else. We went strawberry picking in early April and soon peaches and plums will be making their appearance!

You can simply top your coconut panna cotta with farm fresh strawberries; it doesn’t get better than that. But if you have some time to spend, make a quick strawberry glee and layer it with the panna cotta to make a colorful and pretty layered dessert.

You need to set the first layer in the fridge before pouring the top layer to prevent running and mixing of layers. You can do the berry layer on top or the bottom, it’s totally up to you.

Now, let’s talk the science of making panna cotta. The golden ratio that worked for me best was one pack of unflavored gelatin (1/4 oz or a scant 2 1/4 tsp) per 3 cups of liquid. I used 2 cups of full-fat coconut milk and 1 cup of heavy cream. You can also replace coconut milk with whole milk for regular panna cotta. I have not tried this dessert with low-fat coconut milk and I do not believe it will work. Each portion of panna cotta is pretty small, so there’s really no need to skimp on flavor.

Panna cotta needs at least 4 hours to set perfectly in a cold refrigerator, but overnight is best. If you are in a  hurry, pour them in small shallow bowls which will set even faster. It is a great make-ahead dessert for parties and gatherings, just add the fresh garnishes right before serving.

Here’s how to make Coconut Strawberry Panna Cotta.

Coconut Strawberry Panna Cotta

 

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Prep time

1 hour

Cook time

15 mins

Total time

1 hour 15 mins

 

Smooth and creamy coconut milk panna cotta is layered with a fresh strawberry glee for a simple but beautiful summer dessert. This coconut strawberry panna cotta is the perfect make-ahead dessert as well.

Author: Anjana Devasahayam

Recipe type: Dessert

Cuisine: Italian

Serves: 6

You will need:

For Strawberry Gelee layer,

• Fresh strawberries - 1 cup, chopped
• Sugar - 2 tbsp
• Lemon juice - 1 tsp
• Cornstarch - 2 tsp
• Water - 2 tbsp

For Coconut Panna Cotta layer,

• Unflavored gelatin - ¼ oz or 2¼ tsp
• Full-fat coconut milk - 2 cups
• Heavy cream - 1 cup
• Sugar - ¼ cup
• Vanilla extract - 1 tsp

How to:

1. Strawberry Gelee: Puree the strawberries in a blender and sieve with a fine-mesh strainer for a smooth puree. (You can also use other berries like raspberries, blueberries or blackberries.)
2. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to make a smooth slurry.
3. Take the strawberry puree, sugar, lemon juice and cornstarch slurry in a saucepan and cook over medium heat. Allow to come to a gentle boil and whisk constantly for a couple more minutes until it begins to looks glossy.
4. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Pour into 6 small glasses or dessert cups and allow to set in the refrigerator, at least an hour. (You can speed up the process by placing them in the freezer but watch them carefully as you do not want to freeze the gelee.)
5. Coconut Panna Cotta: Take ¼ cup coconut milk in a shallow bowl and sprinkle gelatin over it. Allow gelatin to bloom, 2-3 minutes (the gelatin granules will absorb the liquid and expand). Set aside.
6. In a large saucepan, combine the rest of the coconut milk, heavy cream and sugar and cook on medium-high heat. The liquid should be heated just until it begins to boil, but does not actually do so. You want it to be hot but not boiling.
7. Remove promptly from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Add the bloomed gelatin and whisk well for a couple of minutes to completely dissolve the gelatin in the hot mixture. Whisk until a metal spoon dipped into the panna cotta does not have any grains of gelatin stuck on it or you can use your fingers to see if there are any grains in it.
8. Cool the smooth panna cotta slightly. Gently pour it over the chilled strawberry gelee layer in the cups. Cover with cling wrap and refrigerate until set, 4 hours or overnight.
9. Garnish with fresh strawberries and mint leaves just before serving.

Notes:

1. The prep time does not reflect the panna cotta chilling time, so plan accordingly.
2. You can use 1½ cups of whole milk instead of coconut milk for regular panna cotta. You can also sweeten panna cotta with honey or not sweeten it at all and simply serve it with fresh fruit for a low-sugar dessert.
3. For a completely dairy-free version, use 3 cups of full-fat coconut milk in this recipe and no heavy cream at all. You can also try other plant based milks like almond or soy milk as well. The gelatin allows any kind of liquid to set easily.
4. And of course, you can always chill the panna cotta layer at the bottom of the glasses and pour the gelee on top. If you have time, you can also make multiple layers of panna cotta and gelee.

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It is so simple to make and always a crowd favorite. Do let me know if you try any other flavor combinations or if you would like to see other variations of panna cotta on the blog.

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Have you tried making panna cotta at home? Do try this easy layered dessert recipe and let me know how you like it.

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