Orange and Chocolate Panna Cotta Cake

The Orange and Chocolate Panna Cotta Cake is a rich and sophisticated dessert that combines the freshness of orange with the intense flavor of chocolate. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 500 ml of cream for desserts
• 120 g of sugar
• Zest of 1 untreated or organic orange
• 3 sheets of gelatin (or 6 g of gelatin powder)
• 200 g of dark chocolate
• 200 ml of orange juice (preferably fresh)
• 130 g of dry biscuits (like Digestive)
• 80 g of melted butter
• A pinch of salt

Preparation

1. Start by preparing the biscuit base: blend the biscuits until they are reduced to a powder, mix with the melted butter and press the mixture into a springform pan previously lined with parchment paper, creating an even layer. Place in the refrigerator to set.
2. Soak the gelatin sheets in cold water for 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a small pot, bring the cream, sugar, and orange zest to a boil. As soon as it starts to boil, turn off the heat and let it infuse for about 10 minutes.
4. Squeeze the soaked gelatin and add it to the hot cream, stirring well to completely dissolve it.
5. Strain the obtained mixture with a sieve to remove the orange zest and let it cool down.
6. Pour the panna cotta onto the now solid biscuit base and put back in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, even better if overnight.
7. For the chocolate ganache, melt the 200 g of dark chocolate in a double boiler with a pinch of salt and combine it with the orange juice. Work the mixture until it becomes a smooth and homogeneous cream.
8. When the panna cotta has solidified, pour the orange chocolate ganache over the surface and level gently.
9. Put the cake back in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving, so that the ganache also sets.

For a final touch, you can decorate the cake with candied orange peel or chopped pistachios before serving.

Curiosity

Panna cotta is a Piedmontese spoon dessert highly appreciated for its soft and velvety consistency. The combination with chocolate and orange is a variation that unites the classic flavor of the dessert with the freshness and acidity of the citrus, creating a pleasant contrast on the palate.