Description
Festive Holiday Eggnog Panna Cotta delights with creamy Italian dessert magic, blending classic Christmas flavors into a silky sweet finale. Spiced cranberry sauce adds a tangy punch, making guests swoon with each elegant spoonful you serve.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (480 ml) eggnog
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100 g) fresh or frozen cranberries
Supporting Ingredients:
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar (for panna cotta)
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar (for cranberry sauce)
- ½ cup (120 ml) water
Flavoring and Stabilizing Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) unflavored gelatin
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) cold water
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) bourbon, rum, or brandy (optional)
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- ½ teaspoon orange zest (optional)
Instructions
- Gently scatter gelatin powder over chilled water, allowing it to hydrate and soften for approximately 5 minutes, creating a smooth suspension.
- In a simmering saucepan, blend eggnog, rich cream, granulated sweetener, aromatic vanilla, and warm nutmeg, heating gently until sugar dissolves completely and mixture reaches a luxurious, uniform temperature without reaching a boiling point.
- Eliminate heat source and integrate bloomed gelatin thoroughly, whisking until gelatin particles melt seamlessly into the creamy liquid.
- Distribute the silky mixture evenly across individual serving vessels, ensuring consistent filling and smooth surfaces.
- Transfer ramekins to refrigeration unit, allowing the delicate dessert to stabilize and transform into a luxurious, trembling custard for a minimum of 4 hours.
- While panna cotta chills, prepare cranberry sauce by simmering tart berries with liqueur, creating a vibrant, boozy accompaniment that complements the creamy dessert.
- Prior to serving, briefly immerse ramekins in warm water to facilitate easy release, then invert onto elegant serving plates.
- Crown each panna cotta with a generous spoonful of spiked cranberry sauce, adding a festive and tangy contrast to the smooth, spiced cream.
Notes
- Bloom gelatin precisely to ensure smooth, lump-free texture in the panna cotta by sprinkling it evenly over cold water and letting it sit exactly 5 minutes.
- Warm the eggnog mixture gently to prevent scalding or curdling, stirring occasionally and removing from heat before it reaches a boil to maintain delicate flavor profile.
- Customize the dessert for different dietary needs by substituting dairy-free eggnog and using coconut cream for a vegan-friendly version that retains the rich, creamy consistency.
- Enhance presentation by garnishing with fresh cranberries, a sprinkle of nutmeg, or a small cinnamon stick to elevate the festive holiday aesthetic and add visual appeal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Desserts, Drinks, Cocktails
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 36 g
- Sodium: 65 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg