Cafe au Lait Panna Cotta — Culinary Seasons

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Brew a cup of espresso or strong brewed coffee and make this Cafe au Lait Panna Cotta. You will enjoy the smooth sweet coffee flavor just like drinking a cup of coffee. Top with some chocolate covered espresso beans and Enjoy!

Treasured Italian Dessert

Panna Cotta is one of the most famous Italian desserts, get your spoon ready for this delicious treat.

The Origin of Panna Cotta show it was created in the Piedmont region of northern Italy bordering Switzerland and France. Panna Cotta, literally meaning cooked cream, was not seen in cookbooks prior to the 1960s. There is an unverified tale that states the dessert was made by a Hungarian woman as far back as the 1900s.

Other Possible Influences

As Culinary history shows, England and France had influential desserts that may have influenced the creation of Italian Panna Cotta.

The English Trifle, made with sponge cake, a custard and whipped cream might have influenced the Italian dessert Zuppa Inglese. Translated means, English Soup. Italian Trifle, is a similar dish to the English Trifle that uses a cooked custard as well. This could have also inspired the Tiramisu, just by the ingredients and assembly but let’s not start a feud over that. 😎

Check Out this Recipe for Bourbon Tiramisu

French influence may have come from the recipe Fromage Bavaroise, created by the early 19th century chef Marie-Antoine Careme. His recipe used the same ingredients as Panna Cotta with the addition of egg yolks. Whipping the cream prior to folding with the other ingredients gives a lighter texture.

It is possible that the origins of this unbaked dessert, goes back to the early 1800s. But Italian origin of Panna cotta is steadfast in its creation in the Piedmont region. Whether or not it had influence from a Hungarian woman, the English Trifle or the French Fromage Bavaroise.

Recipe Variations

Panna Cotta flavors additions have been classic flavors include vanilla bean, coffee or different spirits. You can make this recipe with Irish Cream!

Irish Cream is a great flavoring for the Panna Cotta, Irish Cream itself has different layers of flavor ingredients. Cream, Coffee, Chocolate or Cocoa, Irish Whiskey, and Vanilla extract blend together to make the rounded flavor of this beverage. Usually added to coffee straight or added to coffee along with Irish whiskey to make an Irish Coffee; adding it to Panna Cotta is wonderful.

Simply substitute the Irish Cream for the coffee and follow the instructions for assembly. You will have a twist on Panna Cotta for your guests.

Try this Recipe for Irish Coffee Panna Cotta here.

Enjoy this Cafe au Lait Panna Cotta with a cup of coffee to round out your meal!