Honey-Sesame Coffee Panna Cotta with Cardamom

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A silky panna cotta infused with Ethiopian coffee and cardamom, topped with a honey and toasted sesame seed glaze for a unique dessert. This ethiopian-inspired desserts ready in about 20 minutes layers heavy cream, whole milk, 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 320 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 6 Ethiopian cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, sprinkle 2 1/2 tsp unflavored gelatin powder over 3 tbsp cold water and let it bloom for 5 minutes.
  2. Step 2: In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup whole milk, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 2 tbsp instant coffee granules, and 1/2 tsp ground cardamom. Heat over medium heat, stirring until sugar and coffee dissolve and mixture is hot but not boiling (about 5 minutes).
  3. Step 3: Remove from heat and whisk in the bloomed gelatin until fully dissolved.
  4. Step 4: Pour the mixture into 6 ramekins or dessert glasses and refrigerate for at least 4 hours until set.
  5. Step 5: Before serving, gently warm 3 tbsp honey in a small pan with 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds until honey is fluid and seeds are fragrant, about 1 minute. Drizzle the honey-sesame glaze over each panna cotta.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey-Sesame Coffee Panna Cotta with Cardamom take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.

How do I store leftover Honey-Sesame Coffee Panna Cotta with Cardamom?

Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.

Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Sesame Coffee Panna Cotta with Cardamom?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Honey-Sesame Coffee Panna Cotta with Cardamom for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Honey-Sesame Coffee Panna Cotta with Cardamom?

Ethiopian desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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