Root Beer-Infused Panna Cotta with Wintergreen Crème

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

A refined dessert capturing Dad's Root Beer's premium essence, featuring silky panna cotta infused with herbal notes and a crisp wintergreen crème topping. This Italian-inspired recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, layers heavy cream, whole milk, root beer extract 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 4, 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: 25 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bloom 2 1/2 tsp gelatin powder in 2 tbsp cold water for 5 minutes until gelatin softens.
  2. Step 2: Gently heat 2 cups heavy cream and 1 cup whole milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat until steaming but not boiling, about 5 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Stir 1 tsp root beer extract and 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste into the hot cream mixture, then whisk in 1/4 cup granulated sugar until dissolved.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and whisk in the bloomed gelatin until fully dissolved, about 1 minute.
  5. Step 5: Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into 4 ramekins, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours until set.
  6. Step 6: Just before serving, gently place 2 candied wintergreen leaves on each panna cotta and garnish with 2 fresh mint leaves.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Root Beer-Infused Panna Cotta with Wintergreen Crème take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (25 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 Root Beer-Infused Panna Cotta with Wintergreen Crème?

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 Root Beer-Infused Panna Cotta with Wintergreen Crème?

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 Root Beer-Infused Panna Cotta with Wintergreen Crème for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Root Beer-Infused Panna Cotta with Wintergreen Crème?

Italian 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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