Chocolate Coconut Panna Cotta

Chocolate Coconut Panna Cotta is great recipe for those wanting a gluten free/ dairy free or vegan sensational dessert. It's light, silky,and creamy and  is made with coconut milk. It has a mild flavor that is enhanced by almost any kind of topping.

I used amaretto liquor and chocolate chips. It was so enticing, my husband took a bite before I could snap the picture.

Substituted Coconut Milk for Heavy Cream

Panna Cotta is a rich creamy Italian dessert that is traditionally made with a lot of heavy cream. The coconut milk in this recipe seems to give the dessert the same creamy texture.

You can purchase coconut milk in cans in the supermarket or at Trader Joe's for about half  the price. Coconut milk also comes in the refrigerator case in cartons in some supermarkets 

In addition, since I am a vegetarian, I also substituted a vegan product that I purchased in the health for store for the gelatin. The results were fabulous and its not too sweet.

Author: Judee Algazi
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Chill Time: 4 hours to overnight
Serves: 6 ramekins

Ingredients
1/3 cup coconut milk
1 (.25 ounce) envelope of vegan gelatin substitute ( from health food store)
2 1/2 cups  coconut milk ( or regular heavy cream)
1/2  cup organic sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons real vanilla extract
3 T cocoa
1 t cinnamon
Amaretto liquor for topping ( optional)


Directions
1.Pour 1/3 cup coconut milk into a small bowl and stir in the gelatin powder. Set aside.
2. Pour 2 1/2 cups coconut milk and sugar into a small saucepan and bring to a boil while whisking continuously. Shut off the heat, and pour the gelatin and coconut milk mixture into the saucepan, stirring until completely dissolved. Put heat on low , cook for one minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla, cinnamon and cocoa and pour into six individual ramekins that have been sprayed with vegetable spray.
3.Allow to sit until they reach room temperature and then place in refrigerator for at least 4 hours or more. Can be left overnight.
This is a mild dessert so the toppings are what brings extra flavor.
Top with amaretto liquor, Kahlua, mini chocolate chips , chocolate syrup,  berries and syrup.. etc.

Scroll down for step by step pictures



Step by Step Pictures

Mix gelatin product with 1/3 cup coconut milk and set aside

Bring the other 2 and 1/2 cups coconut milk and sugar to a slow boil, whisking continuously

Pour gelatin mixture into the heated coconut milk and sugar mixture
 and cook additional minute stirring continuously,

Pour mixture into dessert dishes that have been sprayed with
vegetable oil spray  and chill for 4 hours or more
Turn upside down to unmold and top with
chocolate chips and amaretto liquor