Toasted Almond Dream Panna Cotta
This post is sponsored by Dream. While I have been compensated for this post, all opinions are, as always, my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Garlic & Zest!
Panna Cotta is a silky, creamy, custardy revelation! Usually made from milk and cream with a little sugar and gelatin to give it that soft jiggly texture. It’s not as firm as regular gelatin desserts that you can swish and squish between your teeth (oh, is that just me?) No, panna cotta barely holds its shape until it hits your tongue, where it promptly dissolves into a barely-there-bliss. Am I overselling? Seriously, this stuff ROCKS!
When I was approached by the makers of Dream Ultimate Almond, to create a dish using one of their Dream Ultimate Almond products, I immediately thought of panna cotta. Well, I may have also thought of ice cream and curry — but I decided on panna cotta.
I received a selection of three types of Dream Ultimate Almond Beverages, Original , Vanilla, and Unsweetened. These beverages have 4x more California almonds which gives it 5 grams of plant based protein in every serving, making it much richer and thicker than its regular counterpart.
They sent me the shelf stable variety (but it’s also available in the refrigerated section) and when I poured it into my measuring cup, it was thick like buttermilk.
I whisked it and ran it through a fine mesh sieve, to make sure I’d have an ultra smooth custard.
Making the panna cotta took about 10 minutes (and that’s because I was taking pictures for 5 of those minutes). Just sprinkle the gelatin over the liquid and let it bloom. Then heat over a medium low heat, just until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
Add the sugar and stir over that same heat until the sugar is dissolved, then remove and add the amaretto and coffee liqueur. Pour the mixture into prepared ramekins and refrigerate until set. That’s it. Simple.
And the result, is sublime! Creamy, luscious, not overly sweet with a definite nod to that famous Toasted Almond Cocktail! I like mine with a sprinkle of crunchy toasted nuts, a drizzle of amaretto and fresh raspberries. Oh-ma-Gawd!
I used the Unsweetened variety of Dream Ultimate Almond for this panna cotta, but after tasting the Original and Vanilla, I think they would work well in this recipe too.
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Dairy Free Toasted Almond Panna Cotta
INGREDIENTS:
- 3 cups Dream Ultimate Almond Beverage unsweetened
- 2 ½ teaspoons gelatin – this is a little more than one envelope
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons DiSaranno or other amaretto flavored liquor
- 2 tablespoons Kahlua – or other coffee flavored liquor
Garnish
- ¼ cup almonds sliced, lightly toasted
- 6 tablespoons amaretto
- 1 pint fresh raspberries
DIRECTIONS:
- Shake the almond beverage well before opening. Pour into a medium bowl or measuring cup. If the liquid looks lumpy, whisk it smooth, then run it through a fine mesh sieve to remove any lumps. Transfer to a medium saucepan. Sprinkle the gelatin over the liquid and set aside for a few minutes until the gelatin starts to bloom.
- Place the saucepan over medium low heat and stir until the gelatin dissolves completely, but do not heat the beverage to the point where it starts to smoke or boil — that will de-activate the gelatin. To check that the gelatin is dissolved, dip your spoon into the liquid and look at the back of it for telltale clear grains — if they’re there, it’s not fully dissolved.
- After the gelatin has dissolved, add the sugar and stir until it’s completely dissolved.
- Stir in the amaretto and coffee liquors.
- Spray 4 ounce ramekins with vegetable spray. Use a paper towel to wipe the spray evenly around the ramekin removing any excess and just leaving a fine film.
- Divide the panna cotta mixture evenly among the ramekins and refrigerate until set — At least two hours and up to overnight.
- You can serve directly in the ramekins or for a more dramatic effect, add warm water to a bowl and hold the body of the ramekin in the water, not quite to the rim, for a few seconds. Run a very thin knife blade around the top edge of the panna cotta and place a plate upside down on top of the ramekin. Invert the panna cotta onto the plate.
- Drizzle about one teaspoon of amaretto over each panna cotta. Sprinkle with toasted almonds and raspberries. Serve.
Thanks for your review. I grabbed a couple of cartons of Dream Ultimate Almond lightly sweetened off of the shelf where I usually pick up other brands of almond and soy milk. When I opened it and started to pour it over my granola this morning I was startled to discover its thick, lumpy, texture. I thought at first it might have soured. But, being a jump first look after kind of guy I took the risk. The taste was delicious and the lumps disappeared on my tongue. Still, being a coward. After enjoying my breakfast I Googled Dream Ultimate Almond Texture and came upon your site. You have put my fears to rest, and given me ideas of other uses for the product. Thank you,
It is a delicious product, isn’t it? The panna cotta is really wonderful too. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Oh man! Almonds, amaretto, and kahlua in one dish!? This sounds amazing.
Hee hee, I know!
I had no idea panna cotta was this easy! I am also a huge fan of anything almond so your panna cotta sounds like something I would devour … thanks for sharing!
It’s even easier than creme br?l?e which requires cooking and a water bath. Enjoy!
Looks like an amazing way to make panna cotta. I certainly have a weakness for panna cotta and yours looks so perfect and tempting 🙂
Thanks Revi! I’m so glad you like it!
I love panna cotta and it’s so hard to find in restaurants! This looks delicious, I might need to try making it myself. I love that it uses Almond Milk.
Ooh it’s lovely to see a panna cotta made from almond milk! I wonder if it would work out as well with agar agar in place of gelatine, as I’d love to try it 🙂
I’ve never used agar agar before, but you could give it a shot. Let me know if it works or if you have to make any changes to it.
This looks so freaking amazing!
The video scared the crap out of me when it started playing and I couldn’t see anything.
I was like, oh they have a video showing how to do it, that’s smart. I should start doing that. I’m too lazy.
So kudos for not being lazy! 😛
Sorry for scaring the crap out of you! Wonder why the video didn’t load — by the way, it’s an ad, so I’m just as lazy as you!
This is wonderful , I had no idea this could be made with this product.
I’ve always wanted to try making this! Thanks for the recipe. 🙂
Enjoy, Christine!
Ahh, this looks so dreamy! So light and delicate. And the raspberries on top – perfect desert!
Yep, that’s what panna cotta should be! I’ve had versions that were too jell-o-y – but this is absolutely ethereal.
I recently had my first taste of pannecota and I love it. Your recipe looks to be on the healthy and looking forward to testing out in my kitchen.
Please let me know how you like it!
Yum Looks amazing! you always have amazing pictures and recipes makes me hungry! 🙂
LOL! It’s supposed to Brooke!
Holy cow! Or should I say holy almond tree! I love that a dairy free dessert can be this luscious! And it’s beautiful to boot! ?
Thank you VERY much! I appreciate that!
This looks a lot like flan – which is a dessert I see a lot here in Tucson since we are so close to Mexico. It looks fabulous! Now I just need to veganize it by switching out the gelatin…
I’m not vegan, so it only occurred to me after I’d made it, that gelatin wasn’t vegan. Do you have a good substitute for gelatin? Please let me know!
I love panna cotta, this is such a healthy version and a must try
Glad you like it!
Yum! Panna cotta is a favorite of mine and it’s nice that this recipe is dairy free. Great for people with allergies. 🙂
It’s a favorite of ours too!
So creamy! I love panna cotta and yours looks amazing. The almond sounds perfect.
Glad you like it, Tara!
Sounds delish!
You know who would like this, Katrina? Your Mom – she used to order a Toasted Almond every time at a restaurant!