This chocolate Panna Cotta is a creamy, chocolaty, and delicious twist on the classic Italian Panna Cotta that will make you want more!
Chocolate Panna Cotta is a delicious and indulgent dessert that combines the smoothness of panna cotta with the rich flavor of chocolate.
Made with a mixture of cream, sugar, and gelatin, this Italian dessert is known for its velvety texture and creamy consistency.
The addition of chocolate adds a decadent twist to the classic recipe, making it a favorite among chocolate lovers.
Whether served on its own or garnished with fresh berries or whipped cream, Chocolate Panna Cotta is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth and leave you craving for more.
For more Italian desserts, check out my tiramisu cheesecake, lemon tiramisu, torta caprese, and tiramisu cookies.
Jump to:
Why this recipe works
- Texture- the texture of this Panna Cotta is creamy and silky smooth texture that melts in your mouth in every bite. You won't be able to stop at one bite!
- Chocolate flavor- this dessert is the perfect twist for chocolate lovers and Panna Cotta lovers. This recipe uses dark chocolate for a rich and chocolaty flavor.
- Ease- this might be hard to make but its actually super simple and easy to make and uses simple ingredients!
- Great for entertainment- this Panna Cotta is perfect for any occasion from holidays, to parties, and get-togethers!
- Prepare in advance- This recipe is great to make in advance. You can store it in the fridge for up to 4 days which is great for parties and gatherings.
What is Panna Cotta?
Panna cotta is a creamy Italian dessert made from sweetened cream, gelatin, and flavorings such as vanilla or fruit. It has a smooth and silky texture.
The name "panna cotta" translates to "cooked cream" in Italian, perfectly describing its main ingredient.
Panna cotta is often served chilled and can be enjoyed on its own or paired with various toppings such as fresh berries, caramel sauce, or chocolate shavings.
Its smooth and velvety consistency, combined with its subtle sweetness, makes panna cotta a beloved dessert for those seeking a luxurious treat.
Ingredients
Before you start to make this recipe, measure and prepare your ingredients so the cooking process will go smoothly and easily.
Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
Dark chocolate- use the best quality dark chocolate for the best flavor. I used 65% dark chocolate for this.
Heavy cream- use full fat heavy cream. This can not be substituted. Use your favorite brand of heavy cream for this.
Milk- use your favorite brand of whole milk for this. Use unflavored milk.
Vanilla extract- vanilla extract adds extra flavor. For extra vanilla flavor, use vanilla bean extract or an actual vanilla bean!
Salt– We used kosher salt for this recipe. Salt doesn’t give the dessert a salty taste, it helps to enhance the flavor.
Granulated sugar– we like to use granulated sugar, also the most common sugar used in baking. Caster sugar will work great as well.
Gelatin powder- we use gelatin powder to stabilize the cake and the mango topping.
Cold water- we mix the gelatin powder with cold water in order to activate the gelatin.
Instructions
Into a small bowl, add the gelatin powder and water, and stir it with a spoon until the gelatin powder is covered with water evenly, and let it soak for 10 minutes. Set aside.
Chop the dark chocolate into small pieces to help them melt more easily in the hot cream mixture. Use a sharp knife to do so.
Pour the heavy cream, milk, granulated sugar, and salt into a saucepan over medium-low heat until the sugar dissolves mixing constantly. Heat the mixture until it reaches a light steam (bubbles around the edges of the pan) and turn off the heat.
Do not let it reach a simmer!
Pour the chopped chocolate into the warm milk and cream mixture and let it sit for 5 minutes. Stir it with a wooden spoon until it's mixed and well combined and the chocolate is completely melted.
Melt the bloomed gelatin in 5-second pulses in the microwave until it's melted. Pour the gelatin into the mixture and add the vanilla extract. Mix with a wooden spoon until it's well combined.
Pass the mixture through a mesh sieve and pour it into cups using a pouring cup. Divide the mixture into 7-8 cups, depending on the size of the cups that you are using.
Store the cups in the fridge and allow them to set for at least 4 hours until the Panna Cotta looks set and has a slight jiggle to it.
Top the panna cotta with whipped cream and chocolate shavings and serve!
Expert Tips
- Use high-quality ingredients. Since the flavor of chocolate is central to this dessert, it's important to use good quality chocolate. Opt for a dark or semi-sweet variety with at least 70% cocoa for a rich and intense flavor.
- Properly bloom the gelatin! Gelatin is an essential ingredient in panna cotta as it helps set the dessert. To ensure proper setting, bloom the gelatin by sprinkling it over cold water and allowing it to soften for a few minutes before adding it to the warm liquid mixture.
- Incorporate flavors. While chocolate is the star of this dessert, you can enhance its taste by adding complementary flavors such as vanilla extract or a hint of espresso powder. These additions will add depth and complexity to your panna cotta.
- Strain the mixture. To achieve a smooth and silky texture, strain the panna cotta mixture before pouring it into serving glasses or molds. This step helps remove any lumps or air bubbles that may have formed during preparation.
- Allow the panna cotta to set for at least 4 hours. Panna cotta needs time to set properly in the refrigerator, so be patient and give it at least four hours (or overnight) to chill and firm up before serving. This will ensure that your chocolate panna cotta has the perfect consistency when you indulge in each spoonful.
How to de-mold panna cotta?
To de-mold your panna cotta, gently run a knife along the edges of the mold to loosen it. Then, dip the bottom of the mold in hot water for a few seconds to help release the panna cotta.
Finally, place a serving plate on top of the mold and quickly invert it to transfer the panna cotta onto the plate.
Faq's
Chocolate panna cotta is a creamy and indulgent dessert made from a combination of ingredients such as chocolate, cream, sugar, gelatin, and sometimes vanilla extract.
Creme brulee is a rich and creamy custard dessert with a caramelized sugar topping, while panna cotta is a silky Italian dessert made with sweetened cream and gelatin, often served with fruit or sauce.
While both desserts are delicious, their textures and flavor profiles set them apart.
Yes! You can double or triple this recipe. There is an option to automatically double, half, or triple this recipe in the recipe card below.
This needs to be set in the fridge for at least 8 hours. We let it set overnight for the best results.
Use dark chocolate for this Panna Cotta recipe. I recommend using at least 70% dark chocolate for this.
If you don't like dark chocolate, don’t worry, when it's mixed into the cream mixture it feels more like a rich milk chocolate flavor if you use the lowest percentage of dark chocolate.
Storing
Store this dessert in the fridge (because it contains dairy) covered tightly with plastic wrap for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing
If you want to freeze these dessert cups, make these in plastic cups and wrap the top with plastic wrap. Then, transfer them into the freezer and freeze them for up to 2 months.
Thaw in the fridge overnight. You can eat it right out of the fridge for a frozen dessert!
Substitutions
Dairy-free- to make this dessert dairy-free, you can swap the heavy cream with vegan heavy cream or full-fat coconut cream.
Variations
Serving cups- instead of serving this in a glass, you can pour it into a shot glass, ramekins, espresso glass, or whatever works for you!
Chocolate- if you are not a fan of dark chocolate, you can use semisweet chocolate or milk chocolate for this. The highest percentage of chocolate will make this Panna Cotta thicker and more stable.
Dark chocolate Panna Cotta- make this with extremely dark chocolate for an intense dark chocolate flavor. If you want an intense dark chocolate flavor, use at least 85% dark chocolate.
Make It In Advance
You can make this dessert 3 days in advance. Follow the instructions as written, and cover the dessert cups with plastic wrap to prevent the refrigerator smells from soaking into the creamy Panna Cotta.
Serve with your favorite toppings like fresh fruit, chocolate shavings, or caramel sauce.
Serving Suggestions
- Chocolate shavings- top these cups with chocolate shavings for a delicious flavor and beautiful look. You can use dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate!
- Chocolate curls- top this dessert with chocolate curls for a delicious texture and more chocolate flavor!
- Fresh fruit- top the cups with any fresh fruit that you have available like fresh berries, or freshly sliced mango.
- Fresh whipped cream- top each glass with freshly made whipped cream.
Equipment
- Dessert cups- these are perfect for events, entertaining, and this type of dessert!
- Pouring cup
- Wooden spoon
- Kitchen scale
- Saucepan
More individual desserts
Tiramisu cups- These individual tiramisu cups are an easy twist on the classic dessert, made with layers of creamy mascarpone, ladyfingers, and cocoa powder, this makes the perfect dessert!
Mini Fruit Tarts- These mini fruit tarts are made with easy and buttery tart shells, filled with homemade pastry cream, and topped with fresh fruit
Chocolate Parfait- This chocolate parfait is made with layers of rich chocolate mousse, velvety whipped cream, and crunchy chocolate cookie crumbs.
If you tried this recipe, don’t forget to leave a rating and a comment below. We love hearing from you.
If you liked this recipe
📖 Recipe
Creamy Chocolate Panna Cotta
Ingredients
- 0.21 oz Gelatin powder
- 0.42 oz Cold water
- 1 ½ cups Heavy cream
- 1 cup Milk
- ¼ cup Granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- ⅓ teaspoon Kosher salt
- 5.29 oz Dark chocolate
Instructions
- Into a small bowl, add the gelatin powder and water, and stir it with a spoon until the gelatin powder is covered with water evenly, and let it soak for 10 minutes. Set aside.
- Chop the dark chocolate into small pieces to help them melt more easily in the hot cream mixture. Use a sharp knife to do so.
- Pour the heavy cream, milk, granulated sugar, and salt into a saucepan over medium-low heat until the sugar dissolves mixing constantly. Heat the mixture until it reaches a light steam (bubbles around the edges of the pan) and turn off the heat. Do not let it reach a simmer!
- Pour the chopped chocolate into the warm milk and cream mixture and let it sit for 5 minutes. Stir it with a wooden spoon until it's mixed and well combined and the chocolate is completely melted.
- Melt the bloomed gelatin in 5-second pulses in the microwave until it's melted. Pour the gelatin into the mixture and add the vanilla extract. Mix with a wooden spoon until it's well combined.
- Pass the mixture through a mesh sieve and pour it into cups using a pouring cup. Divide the mixture into 7-8 cups, depending on the size of the cups that you are using.
- Store the cups in the fridge and allow them to set for at least 4 hours until the Panna Cotta looks set and has a slight jiggle to it.
- Top the panna cotta with whipped cream and chocolate shavings and serve!
Notes
- Use high-quality ingredients. Since the flavor of chocolate is central to this dessert, it's important to use good quality chocolate. Opt for a dark or semi-sweet variety with at least 70% cocoa for a rich and intense flavor.
- Properly bloom the gelatin! Gelatin is an essential ingredient in panna cotta as it helps set the dessert. To ensure proper setting, bloom the gelatin by sprinkling it over cold water and allowing it to soften for a few minutes before adding it to the warm liquid mixture.
- Incorporate flavors. While chocolate is the star of this dessert, you can enhance its taste by adding complementary flavors such as vanilla extract or a hint of espresso powder. These additions will add depth and complexity to your panna cotta.
- Strain the mixture. To achieve a smooth and silky texture, strain the panna cotta mixture before pouring it into serving glasses or molds. This step helps remove any lumps or air bubbles that may have formed during preparation.
- Allow the panna cotta to set for at least 4 hours. Panna cotta needs time to set properly in the refrigerator, so be patient and give it at least four hours (or overnight) to chill and firm up before serving. This will ensure that your chocolate panna cotta has the perfect consistency when you indulge in each spoonful.
Comments
No Comments