Coffee and Chocolate Panna Cotta Cake

17/11/2023

Here’s the recipe for a delicious Coffee and Chocolate Panna Cotta Cake. This cake combines the creaminess of panna cotta with the intense flavors of coffee and chocolate.

Ingredients

500 ml of fresh cream
100 g of granulated sugar
3 sheets of gelatin (or 6 g of powdered gelatin)
2 cups of strong espresso coffee
200 g of dark chocolate
24 dry biscuits (like Digestives)
80 g of melted butter
Cocoa powder for finishing

Preparation

Begin by preparing the biscuit base. Grind the biscuits until you get a sandy consistency and mix them with the melted butter. Press the mixture evenly into a springform pan (22-24 cm in diameter) creating a compact layer and refrigerate to set for about 30 minutes.
For the coffee panna cotta, soak the gelatin sheets in cold water for 10 minutes. If using powdered gelatin, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.
In a saucepan, heat the cream with the sugar without bringing it to a boil. Drain and squeeze the gelatin and add it to the hot cream, stirring until completely dissolved.
Divide the cream mixture into two equal parts. Add the espresso coffee to one half and mix well.
Gently pour the coffee cream over the biscuit base, then put the cake in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until the coffee panna cotta is well set.
Once the coffee panna cotta is ready, melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave, being careful not to burn it. For the microwave, heat the chocolate in 30-second intervals, stirring each time.
Mix the melted chocolate into the second half of the cream and pour over the set coffee panna cotta layer. Level the surface and return to the fridge for another 4 hours, or until this layer has also set.
Before serving, dust the cake with cocoa powder for a touch of refinement and aesthetics.

Remember to take the cake out of the refrigerator about 10-15 minutes before serving, to fully appreciate its creaminess.

Curiosity

Although panna cotta is a traditional Piedmontese dessert, this variation that combines chocolate and coffee makes for a modern and richly flavored version. The espresso coffee, in particular, adds a note of bitterness that contrasts with the sweetness of the panna cotta, making the dessert not too cloying.