Layered Coffee Panna Cotta (Egg Free & Vegetarian)

an egg free and vegetarian Italian dessert, panna cotta with two layers of vanilla and coffee

Coffee, the roasted and ground seeds of the tropical evergreen coffee plant is one of the three most-popular ingredient used in beverages through out the world. When people think of coffee, they usually think of its ability to provide an energy boost. A cup of coffee is the most important thing in the morning for millions of people worldwide. Coffee is not just any beverage but almost like a part of daily routine and yes, there is a considerable amount of skills required to master the perfect cup of coffee. Coffee is the base for an endless array of beverages like espresso, mocha coolers, cold brew coffee, cappuccino, frappe etc. Apart from the beverages, there are also some other food dishes like cookies, ice-creams, jellies like varieties of desserts where coffee can be used. 

Today’s post is something like that means not a beverage using coffee, but is a dessert as Coffee Panna Cotta in layered form. Doesn’t it sounds delicious and in the same time looking gorgeous ? Yes, do make sometime this absolutely amazing dessert in layers.

What is panna cotta ?

Panna cotta, an Italian dessert is a very basic pudding that is made of a simple mixture of cream, sugar and vanilla. Usually Gelatin is added to thicken the mixture and create a custard-like consistency. The final result is so rich and silky smooth. Literally the word Panna Cotta means ‘Cooked Cream’. The cream can be either heavy cream or light cream or simply with milk. I have used agar-agar to keep the dish vegetarian instead of gelatin here. Agar-agar can be used in powdered form or in strand form (if strands are to be used then just cut it into small strands before adding water)

Here I have two flavored panna cotta, one is vanilla and other is coffee. And then both are set to make a layered dessert.

What goes into making this layered panna cotta :

I have included both cream as well as cream (not the heavy cream) but higher amount of cream. But the proportion one can vary. I usually make this proportion and the panna cotta comes out so perfect. Apart from these, granulated sugar is used to sweeten the dessert. For the two layers, vanilla essence and coffee powder are used. Agar-agar (vegetarian  is used to set the panna cotta here and the amount of agar-agar can be slightly more to get the panna cotta in extra-foolproof scenario. 

Preparation process to make it :

I always prefer to bloom the agar-agar separately and then add into the cream mixture. It seems quite easy for me without making any lumps. (https://santacruzcore.com/) In a small bowl the agar-agar powder along with some water is allowed to bloom first. Then the milk and the sugar is mixed in a saucepan over low-medium heat till sugar melts. The cream and the agar-agar mixture are then added to the saucepan and everything is mixed well over low heat for 1-2 minutes. The mixture is kept aside to cool a bit. Next step is to make layers.

• For Vanilla layer, in a bowl half of the above mixture is strained and vanilla essence is added to that. This vanilla mixture is then poured into any mold or serving glass till half filled. The mold is kept in freezer for 30 mins to 1 hour or till perfectly set.

• For Coffee layer, in another bowl first the coffee powder is mixed along with 2 tbsp of milk. The rest agar-agar mixture is then strained into this bowl and everything is mixed well. When the vanilla layer is well set, this coffee mixture is poured over the vanilla layer. Now the mold is again kept in refrigerator for 4-5 hours (preferably overnight) and by then it will all set perfectly. 

What to do : unmold the panna cotta or serve as it is ?

One can serve the panna cotta in either way depending upon the container in which the panna cotta is kept to set. If using directly the serving glass to set, then it can be served as it is in the glass or just unmolding the panna cotta into a serving platter. If using any other molds, then simply unmold and serve. I prefer to use silicon molds which is quite easy while unmolding the dessert. If using any other molds / serving glass, then first try to flip the mold onto a serving platter. If it comes out then it is perfectly fine, else keep the molds in warm water for few seconds which makes the panna cotta to demold quickly. For easy unmolding, I will recommend to grease the mold with little oil before pouring the liquid agar-agar mixture.

Can this dessert prepare ahead of time and store to serve later ?

The main thing here is the panna cotta takes time to set perfectly. So this dessert has to be prepared before hand and keep in refrigerator. It can be stored in refrigerator up to 2-3 days. One can also refrigerate this in an air-tight container. So this is a perfect Make-Ahead type dessert.

Dietary note :

✔  Vegetarian Panna cotta

✔  Summer cold sweet dish

✔  Gluten free

✔  Make-ahead dessert

✔  Egg free

Serving suggestion :

This layered Panna Cotta has a rich and creamy texture with both vanilla and coffee flavor. The texture is simply melt-in-mouth kind. The dessert has a luxurious look but, can you believe it is made with minimal and that too everyday ingredients ! In addition to that, just 15-20 minutes of efforts and then rest goes for setting time in refrigerator. It is a perfect party dessert option to impress the guests, also best suit for after dinner menu 😊 The creamy Italian pudding recipe is incredibly simple and super easy to make. (glasshousefarms.org) After unmolding, the panna cotta here can be served as it is, or little amount of coffee powder can be sprinkled on top of the serving glass or the unmolded panna cotta. No baking is involved, only few minutes of cooking followed by a setting time and the output is an unbelievably smooth and silky texture dessert. 

The event related to this post :

Monday is here again and the Foodie Monday Blog Hop team has decided the 245th theme as ‘Love for Coffee‘ which is suggested by me this time. Well, for the theme we all have to make coffee flavored any dishes, so this Layered Coffee Panna Cotta (Egg Free) is contributed for the theme.

Now let’s go through how to make “Layered Coffee Panna Cotta (Egg Free)” at home 👇

Video procedure of this “Layered Coffee Panna Cotta (Egg Free)” :

: Recipe Card :

Layered Coffee Panna Cotta (Egg Free and Vegetarian)

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Author: Sasmita

Prep time: 10 MCook time: 15 MSetting time: 4-5 HTotal time: 5 H

an egg free and vegetarian Itallian dessert, panna cotta with two layers of vanilla and coffee

Ingredients:

• Agar-agar 1.5 tsp
• Milk 2/3 cup + 2 tbsp
• Cream 1.5 cup
• Sugar 1/3 cup
• Vanilla essence 1/4 tsp
• Instant Coffee powder 1/2 tbsp
• Water 2 tbsp

Instructions:

1. First in a small bowl take agar-agar and 2 tbsp water.
2. Mix well and allow to bloom.
3. Meanwhile in a saucepan, take 2/3 cup milk and sugar.
4. Turn on heat and stir the milk till sugar melts over low-medium heat.
5. Then add the cream along with the agar-agar mixture, mix everything very well for 1-2 minutes over low heat.
6. Turn off heat and keep aside this mixture.

Vanilla layer :

1. Take a bowl and strain half of this mixture.
2. Add vanilla essence and mix well.
3. Pour this mixture into any mold or serving glass till half filled.
4. Now keep the mold in freezer for 30 mins to 1 hour or till perfectly set.

Coffee layer :

1. Take coffee powder in another bowl along with 2 tbsp of milk and mix well.
2. Strain rest liquid mixture into this bowl and mix again well.
3. Take out the molds / glasses from refrigerator and pour this mixture over the vanilla layer.
4. Now keep the mold again in refrigerator for 4-5 hours (preferably overnight) and by then it will all set perfectly.
5. Then just unmold the panna cotta over serving platter simply. If it is not coming out easily, then just place the molds in warm water for few seconds and then unmold. If using glass, then one can serve as it is or unmolding also.
6. After unmolding, immediately serve as it is or sprinkle some coffee powder on top and serve !

Notes:

For easy unmolding, before pouring the liquid mixture one can grease the mold with little oil. For glass, there is no need of greasing as there is no unmolding is required.
Either water / milk can be used to first bloom the agar-agar.
I have used silicon mold, so there is no need of greasing the mold before pouring the liquid mixture. The panna cotta comes out easily from the mold after completely setting down.
If using any other mold, then before unmolding just put the molds in warm water for few seconds. Then it becomes easy to unmold.
I always prefer to strain the liquid mixture to get the panna cotta extra smooth before pouring into the molds which helps to remove any lumps if present.
Either serving glasses or molds one can opt according to own preference.
Overnight is ideal choice to keep the panna cotta in refrigerator before serving, else for at least 4-5 hours.

Coffee, Vanilla, Layered panna cotta, egg free dessert, Italian Dessert

Vegetarian, Panna Cotta, Egg free, Dessert, Coffee Panna Cotta

Italian

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