Mango Vanilla Panna Cotta Recipe (video)

My Panna Cotta Video Tutorial

Watch my YouTube video recipe for step-by-step instructions on how to make vanilla panna cotta! Want to receive new recipe emails in your inbox? Make sure to subscribe to my website emailing list and my YouTube channel and turn on notifications!

Ingredients for Mango Vanilla Panna Cotta

This tropical and fruity dessert is a breeze to make! Here are the main ingredients you’ll need to make this panna cotta recipe:

• Whole Milk, Cream & Coconut Milk: I use a combination of different milks and creams to make a rich and delicious panna cotta base. The coconut flavor goes so well with the mango and passion fruit!
• Vanilla Bean: using a vanilla bean is the best option for this recipe. If you don’t have a bean, replace it with a few teaspoons of vanilla extract.
• Sugar: use plain, white granulated sugar for the recipe.
• Gelatin: you’ll need unflavored gelatin to set the panna cotta and gelee layers. Powdered gelatin or sheets will both work well.
• Mango: use fresh mango for making the mango gelee layer.
• Lemon Juice: adding a little bit of lemon juice helps keep the mango layer looking bright and vibrant.
• Passion Fruit: for adding as a topping. This fruit can be hard to find sometimes so if you can’t find it, don’t worry! The panna cotta will still be delicious without it!

How to Make Mango Vanilla Panna Cotta

Making panna cotta is super easy and it’s timeless dessert that’s perfect for any occasion! For my video recipe, I used Tahitian vanilla beans I brought back from our trip but regular vanilla beans will work as well. If you’re in a pinch you can even use a few teaspoons of good quality vanilla extract.

1. To begin, I combine the liquids: whipping cream, whole milk and creamy coconut milk. Next, I add a bit of sugar and scrap out the vanilla seeds. To do this, simply cut the beans in half and use a knife to get all the little seeds out.
2. Once I have the liquids, sugar and vanilla combined, I bring the mixture up to a simmer over medium-low heat. You don’t want it to boil or scald! I also like to add the vanilla beans into the mixture to get every little bit of vanilla flavor!
3. While the mixture is coming to a simmer, I prepare my gelatin mixture. Once the gelatin is melted, I add it into the panna cotta mixture. Do not let the gelatin cool! Cold gelatin will clump and ruin the panna cotta.
4. This vanilla panna cotta looks so pretty in glass cups, parfait glasses, or even brandy sipping cups! You can also use disposable plastic cups if you’re bringing this dessert to a party. Once I my liquids have come up to simmer, I fill each cup using a measuring cup for a no-mess assembly. Fill the cups based on the cup size and how many servings you need. This recipe will make 9 to 10 small cups or 5 large servings.
5. The panna cotta needs to set in the refrigerator for a couple hours before adding the mango gelee. It doesn’t have to be completely set, just set enough so the mango puree doesn’t sink to the bottom.

Making the Mango Gelee

This vanilla panna cotta is topped with an equally simple and easy mango gelee layer. Gelee is a fancy word for gelatin dessert – it’s made with mango puree, sugar, water, gelatin and lemon juice to preserve the color. I love to use fresh mangos for this dessert recipe but frozen mangos will also work well, just let them thaw out first.

1. To make the mango gelee, simply puree the mangos in a food processor until smooth, along with sugar and lemon juice. I usually add about ½ to ¾ cups of water to thin out the puree.
2. Next, I add the gelatin and give it one last mix before pouring the mango puree over the panna cotta layer.
3. Pour the puree gently over the top so it doesn’t break the panna cotta and sink to the bottom! And it’s back to the fridge for the dessert for at least 6 to 8 hours, or overnight, until it sets more firmly.