Coconut Panna Cotta

Creamy coconut panna cotta is easy to make. It’s a light, refreshing dessert that’s bursting with coconut flavor. Its beautiful presentation is sure to impress your friends and family!

When you are short on time but don’t want to skimp on delicious desserts, coconut panna cotta will become your best friend. It’s a super simple individual dessert packed with coconut flavor that comes together quickly.

As a pastry school grad, I’m showing you how easy it is to make panna cotta, yet your friends and family will think you spent hours creating this beautiful creamy recipe.

If you love coconut desserts, try making creamy coconut cheesecake, one-pot coconut rice pudding, and moist, fluffy coconut cupcakes.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• This coconut panna cotta recipe is creamy, refreshing, and bursting with coconut flavor.
• It takes only 20 minutes to make.
• Coconut milk panna cotta is made with 6 ingredients.
• A perfect recipe to prepare ahead of time for parties and gatherings.

What is Panna Cotta?

Panna cotta is a molded, chilled Italian dessert.  The name translates to "cooked cream."  Unlike a custard that's thickened with eggs, gelatin is the thickening agent for panna cotta.  Typically, it is served unmolded and drizzled with a sauce or garnished with fruit.

The essential ingredients of panna cotta include milk, cream, and gelatin.  The ideal panna cotta has a balance of dairy to gelatin to thicken and maintain a delicate and slightly jiggly texture.

Before you begin

Take out the following baking equipment:

Digital kitchen scale
1 small bowl
1 medium saucepan
1 whisk
6 ramekins or serving dishes

Read the recipe from start to finish.

Ingredients Needed

• Coconut milk: use good quality canned coconut milk, not refrigerated coconut milk.
• Heavy cream: adds richness and creaminess.
• Sugar: sweetens the coconut milk panna cotta.
• Vanilla: always use PURE vanilla extract for the best flavor.
• Salt: enhances the sweetness.
• Gelatin: thickens the panna cotta.
• Water: mixes with the gelatin to soften it before adding it to the milk mixture.

How to Make This Recipe

1. Heat the coconut milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, and salt in a medium saucepan until hot but not simmering.
2. Sprinkle the gelatin over water and allow it to sit for 2 minutes to soften.
3. Add the softened gelatin to the coconut milk mixture and whisk until dissolved.
4. Pour the coconut milk panna cotta into serving dishes or molds.

Note: If using molds, lightly grease with coconut oil or a mild oil to easily release the panna cotta.

5. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until set.

How to Serve

This coconut panna cotta recipe is versatile. You can serve it as a beautiful dessert or as a breakfast treat.

• Top with macerated strawberries or raspberries for a beautiful presentation.
• Serve with a passion fruit sauce or fresh mango and coconut chips for a fun tropical twist.
• Sprinkle your favorite granola with toasted shredded coconut for a delicious breakfast parfait. 

How to Store

Panna cotta will stay fresh for up to 3 days. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator.

FAQ

Baking Success Tips & Takeaways

• Once the coconut milk mixture is added, the gelatin works quickly. Have your serving containers ready so that the panna cotta does not begin to set in the saucepan.
• To remove panna cotta from a mold, dip the mold into a bowl filled halfway with hot water. Allow it to sit in the water for 15 seconds. Turn the mold onto a serving plate and shake slightly to loosen.
• It’s fun to dress up this dessert with fruit. Mango, berries, and passion fruit sauces and compotes look beautiful served over panna cotta with coconut milk.

Please leave a starred rating and comment below if you make this Coconut Panna Cotta. I love reading your feedback! And if you’d like to make this recipe later, don’t forget to pin it on Pinterest! Happy Baking!

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