Name: Apple panna cotta
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 4 min
Total time: 7 min
Ingredients: 1/3 cup milk (80ml); 1 tsp gelatin; 4 tsp maple syrup (20ml (1tbsp + 1tsp)); 1/3 cup cream (80ml, I used heavy/double but can use lighter); 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce (80ml); 1/4 tsp cinnamon; 1/2 tsp vanilla essence

This apple panna cotta is a seasonal take on the traditional creamy Italian dessert, the subtle apple and cinnamon adding to an already delicious easy treat.

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Somehow or another, it is November already and it now feels like I can genuinely start thinking towards the holiday season a bit. I'm afraid any shop that has decorations etc before now (which is an increasing number) starts to be avoided by me as I can't and don't want to think that far ahead.

November, though, seems just about acceptable, especially if you are thinking about food since Thanksgiving comes into the extended holiday season at the end of the month. That's why this Sunday all involved in Sunday Supper have been putting on their thinking caps to create some easy holiday entertaining ideas (see links below), and I am bringing this delicious apple panna cotta recipe to the party.

A seasonal take on panna cotta

Panna cotta is an incredibly easy dessert to make. It's also made ahead and chilled so is great for entertaining as there is no work at the time (unless you want to take them out of the dishes, but that's still not much effort).

Here I have made a seasonal version using apple and a little cinnamon, sweetened with maple syrup rather than sugar, that creates a deliciously impressive dessert, that no one needs to know took you less than 10 minutes to make. Yes I did say less than 10 minutes, it's that quick and easy.

To be honest, this was the first panna cotta I made. I'm not quite sure how I had never got round to it before, as it is always a dessert I am drawn to if I see it on the menu when we are out. I guess as with a few things, I somehow thought it was a bit more complicated to make than it really is.

Having made it, though, it's a dessert I have turned to again and again with a number of variations over the years as it's both delicious and easy - coffee panna cotta and mango panna cotta were instant favorites. Plus this apple version was so tasty, I am already craving it again so need to get it back on the menu. The apple and cinnamon flavors are subtle but delicious, adding to the beautifully smooth creaminess of the base panna cotta.

How to make apple panna cotta

As I say, panna cotta is really quick and easy to make, and the apple, cinnamon and maple added in here while subtle, give a deliciously tasty twist to the lovely creaminess that's also fairly healthy (OK aside from the cream in there).

Put milk in a small pan, add the gelatin and leave to "bloom".
Warm the milk to dissolve the gelatin.
Remove from heat and add maple syrup, cream, applesauce, vanilla and cinnamon.
Pour into greased ramekins and chill until set.

I have topped it with a little caramel which goes really well with it and I would certainly recommend the tiny bit extra effort in putting it on. As after all, the rest is so easy, you may as well make it look properly impressive for another couple of minutes effort, right? The only thing is it's still quicker to eat than it is to make, but you can't win them all. Just make lots and enjoy it again soon - it will keep a couple days in the fridge, if you let it.

Try these other no bake desserts:

Lime mascarpone cheesecake shooters
Crema Catalana
No bake chocolate custard with ginger
Berry phyllo cups with lemon cheesecake cream
Plus get more dessert recipes in the archives.

Print Recipe

5 from 4 votes

Apple panna cotta

A deliciously creamy, easy dessert is given a fall twist with apple and cinnamon.

Prep Time3 mins

Cook Time4 mins

Total Time7 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Italian

Servings:

Calories: 227kcal

Author: Caroline's Cooking

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Ingredients

⅓ cup milk 80ml
1 teaspoon gelatin
4 teaspoon maple syrup 20ml (1tbsp + 1tsp)
⅓ cup cream 80ml, I used heavy/double but can use lighter
⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce 80ml
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon vanilla essence

Instructions

Put milk in a small pan and add gelatin. Leave approx 5min to 'bloom' - you will see it form a layer on top then this thins out as it dissolves.
Meanwhile lightly oil 2 ramekins/custard dishes (4-6oz size).
Gently warm the milk and ensure the gelatin dissolves, around 3-4min - test by putting a spoon in and seeing if you can see any lumps, there should be none.
Remove from the heat and add the remaining ingredients and whisk to combine. The cinnamon may seem to float on the top - don't worry just try to combine as best you can.
Pour into the ramekins/custard dishes and chill for at least 2hrs, 4+ or overnight if you want to remove from dishes.
To remove from the dish, if you want to, sit the dish in a bowl of hot water for a minute then ease the top edge away with a knife before inverting on a plate (if the plate is damp, you can slide it to reposition if you need to).

Nutrition

See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store.

See all the easy holiday entertaining ideas being shared:

Beverages

European-Style Hot Chocolate by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
Peppermint Hot Chocolate by My San Francisco Kitchen
Pomegranate Sangria by The Redhead Baker

Appetizers

Festive Shrimp Bites by The Freshman Cook
Hot Crab Dip by Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
Krayl’s Easy Holiday Cheese Board by An Appealing Plan
Mini Cheese Balls by Books n’ Cooks
Shrimp Puffs by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Smoked Salmon Dip by Palatable Pastime
Smoked Salmon Shooters by Amee’s Savory Dish
Tuscan White Bean and Sausage Dip by The Complete Savorist

Main and Side Dishes

Fruited Wild Rice by Magnolia Days
Harvest Roast Chicken with Grapes, Olives, and Potatoes by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Holiday Seafood Fest (La Grande Zuppa del Costiera Amalfitana) by Monica’s Table
Make ahead Parmesan Mashed Potatoes by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Pasta With Duck Sugo by The Food Hunter’s Guide to Cuisine

Desserts and Baked Goods

Apple Brown Betty by Curious Cuisiniere
Banana Coconut Lime Bundt Cake by Desserts Required
Chocolate Sheet Cake by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Microwave Carob Fudge by Pies and Plots
Orange and Dark Chocolate Chunk Scones by The Texan New Yorker