Wondering how to make panna cotta? Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide

Panna cottas are a delightful dessert that are soft and creamy. They melt easily in the mouth when eaten and do not have an overpowering flavor or sweetness. You can add any flavor and toppings of your choice, making them highly customizable. It's an easy dessert to make and you should definitely try to do so yourself. And here's a detailed guide so you can make it too. Serve it alongside some gooey Mud Cake and Chocolate Mousse and you have a delicious treat on your hands.

Ingredients:

• 18 ml whole milk
• 18 ml light cream or low-fat cream (20 to 30% fat); swap easily with 2 cups of whipping or heavy cream
• 2 tbsp sugar or add as required
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 2 tablespoons agar agar strands – finely chopped
• 86 ml hot water 

Directions:

• In a pan on medium heat, add the finely chopped agar agar. Then add water and mix. The mixture should simmer but don't let it come to a boil. Keep stirring till all the agar agar dissolves.
• Then turn off the heat and set aside.
• In a pan on low heat, add the light cream and milk, stirring constantly. Then add the sugar and continue stirring. The sugar should dissolve completely and the mixture should come to a light boil. Once it does, turn off the heat.
• Then add the vanilla extract and mix well.
• Now add the agar agar liquid to the cream mixture and mix them well with a whisk.
• Pour the mixture into bowls, cups, glasses or ramekins. If you plan to unmould the panna cottas later, then grease the bowls with a neutral oil like sunflower oil.
• Place the panna cottas in the fridge for four to six hours, or overnight if possible, to set.
• Then remove from the fridge, add any toppings of your choice, and serve chilled.

Notes, tips and tricks:

• Both the agar agar solution and the cream mixture need to be hot when they are mixed in. if the agar agar has cooled, add some hot water and reheat, stirring constantly. If the cream mixture has gone cold, reheat on low flame till it's hot.
• Instead of light cream, you can also use whipping cream or heavy cream. That will make the panna cotta thick and creamier.
• Add more or less sugar as per your taste.
• For a vegan panna cotta, use coconut cream instead of normal cream and almond milk instead of regular milk.
• You can add any toppings of your choice to your panna cottas. One option is to add a dusting of cocoa powder, icing sugar or cinnamon powder. Or you can honey, maple syrup, some chocolate sauce, fresh caramel sauce or a jam or fruit compote on top. You can also sprinkle some brown sugar on top. Or add chocolate shavings, decorations like stars or silver balls, or even edible glitter. You can also just add a single sprig of mint. Another option is chopped nuts, fresh berries or sliced fruits like bananas or even crumble on some cookies or brownie bits. Or you can leave the panna cotta completely plain.
• It's best to use full-fat whole milk. But if you want to use another one, you can also use half and half, skimmed milk, 2%, or any other variation of your choice. You can also use a non-dairy alternative like almond milk, soy milk or oats milk. Keep in mind to use unsweetened milk or it will affect the flavor of the panna cottas. If you do want to use flavored milk like vanilla or chocolate, adjust the amount of sugar you're adding to the panna cotta mixture, or it might end up being too sweet.
• You can store leftover panna cottas in the fridge for a week. We do not recommend freezing since that weakens the texture of the panna cotttas, and they won't be as creamy and soft anymore.

You can also add flavors to the panna cotta mixture that you like. This could include a lime or orange zest and juice, some other fruit juice, an extract of any flavor you prefer, or even spices like cinnamon or star anise. If adding the latter, remember to run the mixture through a sieve before putting it in the ramekins.