Velvety Hazelnut Panna Cotta: A Dreamy Chocolate Ganache Recipe

Silky smooth hazelnut panna cotta with chocolate ganache dances between decadence and sophistication.

Rich Italian desserts often bewitch culinary enthusiasts with their elegant simplicity.

This creamy delicacy melts effortlessly on your tongue, promising a luxurious sensory experience.

Hazelnuts bring a nutty warmth that complements the velvety panna cotta perfectly.

The luscious chocolate ganache adds a dramatic layer of indulgence to each delicate spoonful.

Crafted with precision and passion, this dessert transforms an ordinary evening into a gourmet celebration.

Dive into this irresistible recipe and let your taste buds embark on a delightful Mediterranean-inspired journey.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 4 hours 35 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients for Hazelnut Panna Cotta Perfection

• Cold Water: Activates and dissolves gelatin for smooth, silky texture.
• Unflavored Gelatin: Creates perfect wobble and stabilizes the dessert's structure.
• Heavy Whipping Cream, Whole Milk: Delivers rich, luxurious creaminess with balanced dairy depth.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and balances the intense chocolate and hazelnut flavors.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall taste and brings out deeper flavor notes.
• Instant Espresso Powder: Adds sophisticated coffee undertone that complements chocolate.

• Chocolate Hazelnut Spread: Infuses decadent nutty chocolate essence with creamy consistency.
• Dark Chocolate: Provides deep, complex chocolate richness and smooth melting quality.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavors and adds subtle aromatic warmth.

• Heavy Cream: Creates silky, glossy chocolate coating with perfect pour-ability.
• Dark Chocolate: Delivers intense, deep chocolate flavor with smooth finishing texture.

• Whipped Cream: Adds light, airy contrast to dense dessert.
• Fresh Berries: Introduces bright, tangy freshness.
• Chopped Hazelnuts: Provides delightful crunch and nutty accent.

Tools You’ll Use for a Fancy Dessert Finish

• Saucepan: Medium-sized, perfect for gently heating cream and chocolate mixtures.
• Microwave-safe bowl: Small, ideal for dissolving gelatin quickly and safely.
• Whisk: Essential for smooth mixing and preventing lumps in the cream.
• Fine-mesh sieve: Crucial for straining the mixture and ensuring silky texture.
• Metal bowl: Used for cooling the mixture over an ice bath.
• Serving glasses: 6 glasses needed to portion the panna cotta evenly.
• Heatproof bowl: Necessary for creating smooth chocolate ganache.
• Measuring cups: Helps accurately measure ingredients like cream and water.
• Knife: Required for finely chopping chocolate and hazelnuts.
• Spatula: Helps scrape and mix ingredients thoroughly.

How to Craft Hazelnut Panna Cotta at Home

Hazelnut Panna Cotta Delight

• Gelatin Activation

Sprinkle gelatin over cold water and let it bloom quietly, transforming from powder to a soft, silky foundation for our creamy dessert.

• Cream Symphony

Gently warm cream with sugar, creating a luxurious base that whispers promises of delectable sweetness. Stir in hazelnut spread and chocolate, watching them melt into a velvety embrace.

• Magical Fusion

Dissolve the bloomed gelatin and blend it seamlessly into the warm cream mixture. Add a splash of milk and vanilla to elevate the flavor profile with delicate complexity.

• Chilling Transformation

Pour the smooth mixture into elegant serving glasses. Allow the panna cotta to rest in the refrigerator, where magic happens and texture becomes silky perfection.

• Chocolate Finale

Create a glossy ganache by gently melting dark chocolate with warm cream. Pour this liquid silk over the set panna cotta, creating a stunning contrast of textures and flavors.

• Elegant Presentation

Adorn your dessert with a sprinkle of chopped hazelnuts, a dollop of whipped cream, and a few fresh berries. Each spoonful becomes a moment of pure culinary joy.

Chocolate Ganache Tweaks That Go the Extra Mile

• Nutty Flavor Boosters: Experiment with toasting hazelnuts before chopping to intensify their rich, earthy flavor and add a delightful crunch to your dessert.
• Dairy-Free Twist: Swap heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk for a luscious vegan alternative that maintains the creamy texture and indulgent taste.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare these panna cottas up to 3 days in advance, keeping them covered in the refrigerator for stress-free entertaining and maximum flavor development.
• Ganache Genius: Play with different chocolate varieties like milk, white, or ruby chocolate to create unique flavor profiles that complement the hazelnut base.
• Texture Tricks: For an extra-smooth consistency, use an immersion blender to blend the cream mixture before chilling, ensuring a silky-soft panna cotta that melts in your mouth.

Classy Serving Ideas for This Silky Dessert

• Dessert Drama Stage
• Create a stunning visual feast by carefully pouring the ganache over the chilled panna cotta, letting it cascade elegantly down the smooth white surface. The chocolate's glossy texture will contrast beautifully with the creamy base.
• Nutty Crunch Corner
• Sprinkle freshly chopped hazelnuts around the edges of the dessert for a delightful textural surprise. Their toasted, earthy crunch will complement the silky panna cotta and rich chocolate ganache, adding a professional touch to your homemade treat.
• Berries Burst Accent
• Scatter a handful of vibrant fresh raspberries or strawberries alongside the panna cotta. Their bright red color and tart flavor will cut through the dessert's richness, creating a balanced and Instagram-worthy presentation that looks as incredible as it tastes.
• Cream Cloud Finale
• Top the dessert with a delicate dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream. This airy finishing touch will provide a soft, cloud-like contrast to the dense chocolate and creamy panna cotta, elevating the entire dessert experience with a touch of elegance.

Dessert Storage Tips for Panna Cotta Fans

• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this decadent dessert up to 3 days before serving, keeping it tightly covered in the refrigerator to maintain its silky texture and prevent absorbing other food odors.
• Chilling Strategy: Allow panna cotta to set completely for at least 4 hours, but overnight refrigeration produces the most luxurious, smooth consistency that will wow your guests.
• Smart Portioning: Store individual servings in sealed glass containers to keep the delicate dessert fresh and prevent any flavor contamination from other refrigerated items.
• Freezing Option: While best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze the ganache-topped panna cotta for up to 2 weeks by wrapping each serving carefully in plastic wrap and placing in an airtight freezer container – just thaw in the refrigerator overnight before enjoying.

Creamy Hazelnut Panna Cotta with Chocolate Ganache

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4.8 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 35 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Silky hazelnut panna cotta delights dessert enthusiasts with its creamy Italian-inspired elegance. Rich chocolate ganache crowns this luxurious treat, providing a perfect balance of nutty smoothness and intense cocoa richness you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup chocolate hazelnut spread
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream (480 ml)
• 1 cup whole milk (240 ml)
• 2 oz dark chocolate (for panna cotta) (57 g)
• 8 oz dark chocolate (for ganache) (226 g)
• 3 tbsps granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup cold water (60 ml)
• 1 packet (7 grams) unflavored gelatin
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp instant espresso powder
• Whipped cream
• Fresh berries
• Chopped hazelnuts

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Instructions

1. Gelatin Activation: Sprinkle gelatin over cold water in a microwave-safe bowl, allowing it to bloom until soft and transparent.
2. Cream Base Preparation: In a saucepan, combine cream, sugar, salt, and espresso powder, heating gently until steaming and aromatic while stirring to prevent scorching.
3. Chocolate Integration: Incorporate hazelnut spread and finely chopped chocolate into the warm cream mixture, stirring until completely melted and creating a silky, uniform texture.
4. Gelatin Incorporation: Liquefy the bloomed gelatin in short microwave bursts, then carefully blend into the cream mixture, ensuring smooth and consistent incorporation.
5. Mixture Refinement: Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, then rapidly cool by placing the bowl over an ice bath, stirring continuously to prevent separation and lower temperature.
6. Setting and Chilling: Pour the cooled cream into serving glasses, refrigerate for a minimum of four hours or preferably overnight, allowing the panna cotta to set firmly.
7. Chocolate Ganache and Garnish: Bring cream to a gentle simmer, pour over dark chocolate, and whisk to a glossy finish. Drizzle warm ganache over chilled panna cotta, then top with whipped cream, fresh berries, and chopped hazelnuts for a luxurious finish.

Notes

• Bloom Gelatin Carefully: Sprinkle gelatin over cold water and let sit for exact minutes to ensure smooth, lump-free absorption without premature hardening.
• Prevent Scorching Technique: Stir cream mixture constantly on low heat to maintain even temperature and prevent burning or sticking to pan bottom.
• Smooth Chocolate Integration: Melt chocolate and hazelnut spread slowly, stirring consistently to create a perfectly uniform, silky chocolate base without separation.
• Chill for Perfect Set: Refrigerate panna cotta for minimum 4 hours, preferably overnight, to achieve ideal firm yet creamy texture that holds shape when served.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 170 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg