Description
Creamy eggnog panna cotta dazzles holiday dessert tables with its luxurious Italian-inspired custard. Rich cranberry sauce adds festive tang, creating a perfect seasonal finale you won’t want to miss.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (480 ml) eggnog
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 2 ¼ tsps (1 packet) unflavored gelatin
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) bourbon, rum, or brandy (optional)
- 1 cup (100 g) fresh or frozen cranberries
- ½ cup (120 ml) water
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) cold water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp orange zest (optional)
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg (optional, for extra spice)
Instructions
- Gelatin Preparation: Sprinkle gelatin over cold water, allowing it to bloom and soften for 5 minutes, creating a gelatinous foundation for the dessert.
- Base Creation: Combine eggnog, cream, sugar, vanilla, and nutmeg in a saucepan. Gently heat and stir until sugar dissolves completely, maintaining a smooth consistency without boiling.
- Gelatin Integration: Remove from heat and whisk in the activated gelatin until fully incorporated, ensuring a uniform mixture with no visible gelatin crystals.
- Molding and Chilling: Pour the creamy liquid into individual serving vessels, distributing evenly. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours until the panna cotta sets with a delicate, trembling texture.
- Final Presentation: Top the chilled panna cotta with spiked cranberry sauce, creating a vibrant and tangy contrast to the rich, creamy dessert base.
Notes
- Gelatin Hydration Technique: Sprinkle gelatin powder evenly over cold water, ensuring no clumps form and allowing complete absorption for a smooth, consistent texture.
- Temperature Control: Warm the mixture gently without boiling to preserve the delicate flavor profile and prevent protein separation in the cream and eggnog.
- Chilling Precision: Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but not more than 8 hours, to achieve the perfect silky, trembling consistency without becoming too firm.
- Dietary Adaptation: Substitute dairy milk with coconut milk or almond milk for a lactose-free version, and use vegetarian gelatin alternatives like agar-agar for plant-based diets.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Desserts, Drinks, Cocktails
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 292
- Sugar: 29 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg