Creamy Coconut Panna Cotta That Will Impress Your Guests Recipe
Introduction
Creamy Coconut Panna Cotta is a silky, luscious dessert that combines tropical flavors with a delicate texture. This recipe is simple yet elegant, perfect for impressing guests with minimal effort.

Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Gelatin (Ensure proper blooming for best results)
- 1 cup Coconut Milk (Substitute with full-fat coconut cream for richer taste)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (Low-fat alternatives are not recommended)
- 1/3 cup Sugar (Use coconut sugar for a unique twist)
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt (A pinch is sufficient)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (Adjust quantity to taste)
- 1/2 cup Toasted Coconut (Sprinkle generously before serving)
- 1 cup Fresh Fruit (Berries or tropical fruits like mango)
- 1/4 cup Drizzle of Chocolate (Choose dark chocolate for a rich contrast)
Instructions
- Step 1: Sprinkle the gelatin over cold water in a small bowl. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it blooms and becomes spongy.
- Step 2: In a medium saucepan, gently heat the coconut milk, heavy cream, sugar, and salt over medium heat, stirring consistently until the mixture is just simmering.
- Step 3: Remove the saucepan from heat and add the bloomed gelatin. Stir until fully dissolved.
- Step 4: Stir in the vanilla extract and strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl.
- Step 5: Distribute the smooth mixture evenly into your serving dishes. Allow them to cool slightly before covering and refrigerating for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Step 6: Once set, carefully unmold or serve directly in dishes. Garnish with toasted coconut, fresh fruit, or a drizzle of chocolate.
Tips & Variations
- For a richer panna cotta, use full-fat coconut cream instead of coconut milk.
- Substitute coconut sugar with regular granulated sugar if unavailable, but coconut sugar adds a deeper flavor.
- If you prefer a vegan version, try using agar-agar instead of gelatin, but note the setting times differ.
- Serve with tropical fruits like mango or passion fruit to enhance the coconut flavor.
Storage
Store panna cotta covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, allow it to come to room temperature as it is best served chilled. Avoid microwaving to maintain texture.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make panna cotta ahead of time?
Yes, panna cotta can be prepared the day before and refrigerated overnight to set fully, making it a convenient make-ahead dessert.
What if I don’t have gelatin?
You can substitute gelatin with agar-agar for a vegetarian option, but the texture will be slightly different and you’ll need to adjust the setting time and method accordingly.
PrintCreamy Coconut Panna Cotta That Will Impress Your Guests Recipe
This creamy coconut panna cotta is a luscious and elegant dessert that combines the tropical richness of coconut milk and heavy cream with a delicate vanilla flavor. Perfect for impressing guests, it’s smooth, silky, and topped with toasted coconut, fresh fruit, and a drizzle of dark chocolate for a stunning presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired tropical fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Gelatin (Ensure proper blooming for best results)
- 1 cup Coconut Milk (Substitute with full-fat coconut cream for richer taste)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (Low-fat alternatives are not recommended)
- 1/3 cup Sugar (Use coconut sugar for a unique twist)
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt (A pinch is sufficient)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (Adjust quantity to taste)
Garnish
- 1/2 cup Toasted Coconut (Sprinkle generously before serving)
- 1 cup Fresh Fruit (Berries or tropical fruits like mango)
- 1/4 cup Drizzle of Chocolate (Choose dark chocolate for a rich contrast)
Instructions
- Bloom the Gelatin: Sprinkle the gelatin over cold water in a small bowl. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it blooms and becomes spongy, which ensures proper dissolving later.
- Heat the Cream Mixture: In a medium saucepan, gently heat the coconut milk, heavy cream, sugar, and salt over medium heat. Stir consistently until the mixture just reaches a simmer, ensuring the sugar fully dissolves without boiling.
- Dissolve the Gelatin: Remove the saucepan from heat and add the bloomed gelatin. Stir thoroughly until the gelatin has completely dissolved into the warm mixture, ensuring a smooth texture.
- Add Vanilla and Strain: Stir in the vanilla extract, then strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl to remove any lumps or undissolved gelatin particles for a silky finish.
- Pour into Serving Dishes: Distribute the smooth mixture evenly into your desired serving dishes. Allow them to cool slightly at room temperature before covering with plastic wrap or lids.
- Refrigerate to Set: Refrigerate the panna cotta for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight to allow it to fully set into a creamy, firm texture.
- Serve with Garnishes: Once set, unmold the panna cotta carefully or serve directly in dishes. Garnish generously with toasted coconut, fresh fruit such as berries or mango, and finish with a drizzle of dark chocolate for an elegant presentation.
Notes
- Use full-fat coconut cream instead of coconut milk for a richer panna cotta.
- Bloom gelatin properly to avoid lumps and ensure smooth texture.
- Do not boil the cream mixture to prevent splitting.
- For a vegan version, substitute gelatin with agar-agar and adjust setting times accordingly.
- Fresh tropical fruits like mango or passion fruit pair exceptionally well as garnish.
Keywords: coconut panna cotta, creamy dessert, gelatin dessert, tropical dessert, coconut milk panna cotta, elegant dessert, vanilla panna cotta, coconut cream dessert

