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Chocolate Panna Cotta

Here’s a Chocolate Panna Cotta Recipe That Is Sure To Please!

Love classic panna cotta but looking for a chocolate twist? Our chocolate panna cotta is definitely for you! This easy chocolate panna cotta recipe creates the most velvety smooth dessert.

Topped however you like – with berries, chocolate shavings, or whipped cream – chocolate panna cotta is a fancy-looking dessert that’ll impress guests… or make date night extra special.

chocolate panna cotta in glass on wood with raspberries and chocolate on top
Our chocolate panna cotta with berries, chocolate shavings, and a drizzle of chocolate syrup!

Recipe Tips/Substitutions

Before you head off to make this tasty choco panna cotta recipe, have a read through our recipe tips so that you know what to expect!

  • We use 35% whipping cream. You can also use heavy cream with a fat content of 36%. Just try to keep it around the 35% fat mark.
  • Depending on which kind of gelatin you have, you may have to prepare it before you start the first step of the recipe. We use powdered gelatine that just has to be dissolved in water and takes little time to prepare. If you use gelatine that has to be soaked first, it might make sense to do that first.
  • Make sure to give the panna cotta enough time to cool down to room temperature before pouring it into serving glasses. Otherwise, it might separate.
  • If you want to flip the chocolate panna cotta, we recommend using molds instead of glasses. Also, make sure to give the chocolate panna cotta time to set in the fridge overnight. This will ensure it’s as solid as can be and will display nicely when flipped!
  • There are lots of different toppings from berries to chocolate shavings. We even like to add some fresh mint leaves!
glass of chocolate panna cotta with raspberries on top sitting on wooden board
Chocolate panna cotta serves nicely in a glass – but you can flip if you like!

How to Make Chocolate Panna Cotta – Step by Step Instructions

To make this delicious dark chocolate panna cotta, you can follow the step-by-step process photos in this section.

This way if you are new to the recipe, you can see exactly how we made ours at each and every step. For those who just want to get started, you can find the detailed recipe card at the bottom of this post!

silver pot with milk and cream boiling on stove top
Add ingredients to a pot.

First, add the cream, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and to a medium-sized pot. Heat up these ingredients on the stove top on medium-high heat while whisking regularly.

chocolate floating in milk in silver pot on stove top
Add the chocolate.

Break up the dark chocolate into small pieces and add it to the pot. Keep whisking regularly.

chocolate panna cotta ingredients boiling in silver pot on stove top
Remove the pot from the heat when the cream is just boiling.

When the ingredients in the pot are well mixed and just starting to boiling, remove the pot from the heat. Placing it on a cooler burner on the stove will do for now.

gelatin being stirred with silver spoon in grey bowl
Prepare the gelatine.

Grab the gelatin and prepare it according to packaging directions (for gelatin that needs to be soaked first, prepare this gelatin before boiling the cream/milk/chocolate mixture).

We use powdered gelatin that only needed to be dissolved in water while stirring.

mixing gelatin into melted chocolate ingredients in pot on stove top
Add the gelatine.

Add in the gelatin to the hot cream/milk/chocolate mixture while whisking everything constantly.

whisk stirring chocolate panna cotta in metal bowl on counter
Let the mixture cool down.

Once combined, the mixture has to cool down to room temperature. This step is very important – otherwise, the chocolate panna cotta might separate after pouring it into serving bowls.

To cool down the mixture, you can move it into another bowl and let it sit on the counter for 30-45 minutes. Come back regularly to give it a stir.

To speed up this cooling process, you can also transfer the mixture to a metal bowl that you then place into a larger bowl or the sink that is filled with ice-cold water.

If you choose this method, stir the mixture constantly until it is at room temperature.

chocolate panna cotta in serving glasses on white counter top
Transfer the mixture to serving bowls or glasses.

When the mixture has cooled, you can transfer the chocolate panna cotta to serving bowls or into special molds (if you plan on turning the dessert over to serve later).

Cover the serving bowls with cling film and place them in the fridge for at least 4 hours. Ideally you leave the chocolate panna cotta to set overnight.

This is especially recommended if you plan on flipping the panna cotta onto a plate or bowl to serve it.

chocolate panna cotta in glasses with raspberries and mint leaves on top on wooden board
These chocolate panna cotta were so good!

Serve the chocolate panna cotta with berries, mint leaves, chocolate shavings, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, or other toppings of your choice. you should prepare the toppings.

Storage Tips

Store your Italian chocolate panna cotta in the fridge until consumption.

Since there’s no egg on the ingredient list, the panna cotta lasts a little bit longer in the fridge. We’d recommend eating it within 3-4 days.

It’s also a good idea to keep the dessert wrapped in cling film to avoid fridge smells from entering the mixture. The cling film might help introduce moisture onto the top of the dessert but it doesn’t affect the taste or texture.

We would recommend leaving the panna cotta “plain” with no toppings in the fridge. Just top them with berries, whipping cream, or more chocolate when you go to serve them.

Related Recipes

If you’re searching for more great creamy desserts, have a look at these recipes from across Europe!

chocolate panna cotta in glasses with raspberries and mint leaves on top on wooden board

Chocolate Panna Cotta

Chocolate Panna Cotta is the perfect twist on the classic Italian dessert. Made the same way – just with the addition of dark chocolate – this creamy dessert is served chilled and topped with berries or more chocolate!
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 2 cups whipping cream, approximately 35% fat
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3.5 oounces dark chocolate, at least 70% cocoa
  • 1 pouch powdered gelatine, equals 1 tablespoon
  • raspberries, chocolate shavings, etc. for topping

Instructions

  • First, add the cream, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and to a medium-sized pot. Heat up these ingredients on the stove top on medium-high heat while whisking regularly.
  • Break up the dark chocolate into small pieces and add it to the pot. Keep whisking regularly.
  • When the ingredients in the pot are well mixed and just starting to boiling, remove the pot from the heat. Placing it on a cooler burner on the stove will do for now.
  • Grab the gelatin and prepare it according to packaging directions (for gelatin that needs to be soaked first, prepare this gelatin before boiling the cream/milk/chocolate mixture). We use powdered gelatin that only needed to be dissolved in water while stirring.
  • Add in the gelatin to the hot cream/milk/chocolate mixture while whisking everything constantly.
  • Once combined, the mixture has to cool down to room temperature. This step is very important – otherwise, the chocolate panna cotta might separate after pouring it into serving bowls. To cool down the mixture, you can move it into another bowl and let it sit on the counter for 30-45 minutes. Come back regularly to give it a stir. To speed up this cooling process, you can also transfer the mixture to a metal bowl that you then place into a larger bowl or the sink that is filled with ice-cold water. If you choose this method, stir the mixture constantly until it is at room temperature.
  • When the mixture has cooled, you can transfer the chocolate panna cotta to serving bowls or into special molds (if you plan on turning the dessert over to serve later).
  • Cover the serving bowls with cling film and place them in the fridge for at least 4 hours. Ideally you leave the chocolate panna cotta to set overnight. This is especially recommended if you plan on flipping the panna cotta onto a plate or bowl to serve it.
  • Serve the chocolate panna cotta with berries, mint leaves, chocolate shavings, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, or other toppings of your choice. you should prepare the toppings.

Notes

  • Once again, if you plan on flipping the chocolate panna cotta out of its mold upside down to serve, let it set overnight since it will need to be completely firm to flip and present properly.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 610kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 52g | Saturated Fat: 33g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 138mg | Sodium: 50mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 29g

This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.

Course Dessert
Cuisine Italian
Author Recipes From Europe
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