Espresso Panna Cotta with Dark Chocolate Shavings
Silky panna cotta infused with robust espresso and topped with bittersweet dark chocolate shavings for a refined coffee dessert. This Italian-inspired recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, layers whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp instant espresso powder
- 2 1/4 tsp (1 envelope) unflavored gelatin powder
- 3 tbsp cold water
- 1 oz, shaved dark chocolate
Espresso machines worth buying → Best Espresso Machines for Home in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, sprinkle 2 1/4 tsp unflavored gelatin powder over 3 tbsp cold water and let bloom for 5 minutes.
- Step 2: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, and 2 tsp instant espresso powder. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves and mixture is hot but not boiling (about 5 minutes).
- Step 3: Remove saucepan from heat and stir in the bloomed gelatin until completely dissolved.
- Step 4: Pour mixture evenly into 6 small ramekins or cups. Let cool slightly, then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours until set.
- Step 5: Before serving, garnish each panna cotta with 1 oz shaved dark chocolate.
- Step 6: Serve chilled and enjoy the contrast of creamy espresso flavor with bittersweet chocolate.







