How should I store panna cotta?

Always store panna cotta in the refrigerator. For best results, eat the panna cotta within 2 days of making it. It's also best to top with strawberry sauce right before serving.

What is agar agar powder?

Agar is a product derived from red algae. Similar to gelatin, it helps to set and thicken custards, but without any animal products.

Can I use soy milk instead of coconut milk?

I have not tested this recipe using any other plant-based milk or nut milks other than full fat coconut milk. You will not get as rich of a dessert or a creamy panna cotta using soy milk or almond milk.

Vegan Panna Cotta with Strawberry Sauce

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the panna cotta:
1 13.5–ounce can full-fat coconut milk
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons agar agar powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the strawberry sauce:
1 cup frozen strawberries
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice

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Instructions

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the coconut milk, ¼ cup of sugar, agar agar powder, and vanilla extract. Whisk the ingredients to ensure that the powder and sugar get completely dissolved.
Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer the mixture for at least 3 minutes. This ensures that the agar agar powder gets activated.
Then, remove the saucepan from the heat and pour the mixture into four small bowls, parfait glasses, or ramekins. Do your best to divide the mixture evenly between the containers.
Place the bowls into the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to set.
When you are ready to serve the panna cotta, make the strawberry sauce. In a small saucepan, combine the frozen strawberries, water, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and lemon juice.
While the mixture comes up to a simmer, use the back of a serving spoon to gently smash the frozen strawberries. Let the strawberries cook for a few minutes, or until they are completely soft. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
Serve the panna cotta in the bowls or molds, with a spoonful of the strawberry sauce on top of each one.
You can also remove the panna cotta from the molds to a plate for serving.
Enjoy immediately.

Notes

Be sure to use agar agar powder, not agar flakes.
You can use coconut sugar instead of white sugar, but it will turn your panna cotta a light tan color as opposed to white.
The total cook time includes 2 hours of set time in the refrigerator.
You can substitute the strawberries with frozen raspberries, if you prefer.

Author: Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Vegan

Nutrition

Serving Size:
Calories: 265
Sugar: 17.6 g
Sodium: 13.7 mg
Fat: 20.5 g
Saturated Fat: 18.1 g
Carbohydrates: 21.5 g
Fiber: 0.8 g
Protein: 2.2 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg