Looking from the top, you view round glass dessert bowls revealing layers distinct in color. The bottom is the luscious, dark brown, coffee-infused panna cotta, followed by a middle layer of faint caramel-colored white chocolate ganache and topped with a velvety chocolate coffee creme. Dusted on top are roasted cocoa nibs and a couple of coffee beans adding a garnish touch that screams sophistication.

Dark Roast Coffee Chocolate Panna Cotta

Name: Dark Roast Coffee Chocolate Panna Cotta
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 240 min
Total time: 270 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Italian with an American twist
Ingredients: dark roast coffee, 2 cups freshly brewed; whole milk, 1 cup; heavy cream, 1 cup; white sugar, 1/2 cup; gelatin, 3 teaspoons; dark chocolate, 1 cup chopped; white chocolate, 1/2 cup chopped; roasted cocoa nibs, 2 tablespoons; sugar, to taste; coffee beans, a handful for garnish

Category Dessert

Prep 30 minutes

Cook 240 minutes

Style Italian with an American twist

Technique Stirring

Diet Friendly Vegetarian

Daily Recipe: October 01, 2025

Celebrate Coffee Day with a fresh and invigorating dessert. Using rich, dark roast coffee as the key ingredient, this recipe cleverly combines it with chocolate and cream for a sinfully indulgent treat. Our Dark Roast Coffee Chocolate Panna Cotta is an ode to every coffee lover out there while adding an elegant twist. The flavors of coffee and dark chocolate create a robust symphony that harmonizes wonderfully with the creamy nature of the panna cotta.

Ingredients (for 4)

Dark roast coffee - 2 cups - freshly brewed
Whole milk - 1 cup
Heavy cream - 1 cup
White sugar - 1/2 cup
Gelatin - 3 teaspoons
Dark chocolate - 1 cup - chopped
White chocolate - 1/2 cup - chopped
Roasted cocoa nibs - 2 tablespoons
Sugar - to taste
Coffee beans - a handful - for garnish

Preparation

Step 1 - ☕️🥛🥄

In a medium-sized saucepan, combine 2 cups of freshly brewed dark roast coffee with 1 cup whole milk and 1/2 cup white sugar. Sprinkle 3 teaspoons of gelatin over the mixture and let it sit for 5 minutes.
Step 2 - 🔥🥄🍫

Place the saucepan over medium heat, stirring until gelatin and sugar are dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of chopped dark chocolate until completely melted.
Step 3 - 🥣⏳❄️

Pour the mixture into dessert bowls and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Step 4 - 🔥🍶🍫

In another saucepan, heat 1 cup of heavy cream till it simmers. Remove from heat and add 1/2 cup of chopped white chocolate, stirring until melted. Allow it to cool.
Step 5 - 🍨🥶⏳

Once cooled, pour the white chocolate ganache over the set coffee panna cotta. Return to the fridge for another 2 hours or until set.
Step 6 - 🍨☕️🍫

Just before serving, sprinkle each panna cotta with a handful of crushed roasted cocoa nibs and a few coffee beans.

Additional

Fun Fact: Panna Cotta translates to 'cooked cream' in Italian. It's a dessert that's simple to make but wows in its creaminess and silkiness. For a vegan alternative, use plant-based milk and vegan-friendly chocolate, and replace gelatin with agar-agar. Kids can help in measuring and mixing the ingredients as well as layering the dessert.