Description
Silky eggnog panna cotta dances with holiday spirit, blending creamy Italian dessert techniques with festive American Christmas flavors. Rich custard adorned with spiked cranberry sauce offers sweet indulgence you’ll savor with each delightful spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (480 ml) eggnog
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 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
Liquid and Flavoring Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) bourbon, rum, or brandy (optional)
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) cold water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon orange zest (optional)
Spice and Thickening Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, for extra spice)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) unflavored gelatin
Instructions
- Gently dust gelatin powder over cold water, allowing it to hydrate and transform into a soft, jellylike consistency for approximately 5 minutes.
- Merge eggnog, cream, sugar, vanilla, and nutmeg in a saucepan, creating a luxurious base. Warm the mixture on moderate heat, stirring continuously until sugar dissolves completely, ensuring the liquid remains smooth and silky without reaching a boiling point.
- Eliminate the saucepan from heat source and incorporate the activated gelatin, whisking thoroughly to guarantee seamless integration and complete dissolution of the gelatin crystals.
- Delicately transfer the velvety liquid into individual serving vessels, distributing the mixture evenly to create elegant, trembling dessert portions.
- Carefully place the prepared ramekins into the refrigerator, allowing them to chill and set for a minimum of 4 hours, during which the panna cotta will develop its distinctive delicate, wobbly texture.
- Once fully set, the dessert can be adorned with the complementary spiked cranberry sauce, adding a vibrant and tangy counterpoint to the rich, creamy base.
Notes
- Gelatin Blooming Trick: Sprinkle gelatin evenly over cold water to ensure smooth, lump-free absorption, which prevents grainy texture in the final dessert.
- Heating Technique: Warm the mixture gently to dissolve sugar without boiling, preserving the delicate flavor and creamy consistency of the eggnog.
- Dairy Flexibility: Substitute lactose-free eggnog and cream for a lactose-intolerant friendly version, maintaining the rich, festive taste.
- Alcohol Options: Add a splash of rum or bourbon directly into the mixture for an extra boozy version, enhancing the traditional holiday flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Desserts, Drinks, Cocktails
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 45 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg