Description
This Eggnog Panna Cotta with Spiked Cranberry Sauce is a festive and creamy dessert perfect for holiday gatherings. The smooth, rich panna cotta is infused with classic eggnog flavors and vanilla, beautifully complemented by a tangy, spiced cranberry sauce laced with orange liqueur. It’s an elegant yet simple make-ahead treat that combines luxurious textures and seasonal tastes.
Ingredients
Scale
Panna Cotta
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups eggnog
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoons unflavored gelatin (1 packet)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Spiked Cranberry Sauce
- 2 cups cranberries (fresh or frozen)
- â…“ cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- â…“ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange liqueur (such as Grand Marnier)
Garnish (optional)
- Sugared cranberries
- Orange peel twists
Instructions
- Bloom the Gelatin: Sprinkle the unflavored gelatin over ¼ cup of cold water and let it sit for 5 minutes until it softens and blooms.
- Heat Cream Mixture: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the heavy cream, eggnog, and ½ cup granulated sugar. Stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is steaming but not boiling.
- Melt Gelatin: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the bloomed gelatin until it is completely dissolved into the warm mixture.
- Add Vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract to infuse flavor evenly throughout the panna cotta base.
- Pour and Chill: Pour the creamy mixture into serving glasses or ramekins. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until the panna cotta is fully set and firm.
- Prepare Cranberry Sauce: While the panna cotta chills, combine the cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, and â…“ cup sugar in a separate saucepan over medium heat.
- Simmer Sauce: Cook the cranberry mixture, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens slightly, about 10–12 minutes.
- Add Liqueur: Stir in the orange liqueur to add warmth and depth of flavor to the sauce.
- Cool Sauce: Remove the sauce from heat and let it cool completely to room temperature before serving.
- Assemble and Garnish: Spoon the spiked cranberry sauce generously over the chilled panna cotta. Garnish with sugared cranberries and orange peel twists if desired, for a festive touch.
Notes
- Ensure the gelatin is fully dissolved to avoid any lumps in the panna cotta.
- You can substitute the orange liqueur with a non-alcoholic orange extract if preferred.
- Allow the panna cotta to chill for at least 4 hours or overnight for the best texture.
- Fresh or frozen cranberries can be used interchangeably for the sauce.
- For a stronger eggnog flavor, consider reducing the cream by ¼ cup and increasing eggnog by the same amount.
