Want to feel like a kid again?
One of my favorite treats from childhood was chocolate pudding. Not the snack pack pudding…actually, I’m not even sure they made those back then, but the one Mom cooked on the stove top by adding milk to a chocolate mix and stirring with a large tablespoon until a rich cocoa color appeared.
It smelled so good – like the most luxurious hot chocolate. I always wanted to drink it at that exact juncture – before it had the chance to firm up in the fridge. Secret revealed.
Today’s luscious and oh-so-creamy dessert takes me back. It’s not the chocolate pudding of my childhood – though that’s still the best(!) – but this Panna Cotta with Orange and a touch of Chili is pret-ty special.
Confession time – woe – I’m just realizing that this post is riddled with secrets revealed. I guess chocolate will do that to a person.
So, I made Panna Cotta with Orange and Chili Wednesday morning. Nick popped home that night and I brought it out for some taste-testing. Let’s just say, it landed in his mouth and he wasn’t quite sure what to do from there.
Then Dom took a spoonful and promptly shared in his boy’s discovery. And although they were trying to be very kind, Dom said to Nick, “Just imagine it’s a chocolate gummy bear.” Hahahaha! So with that frame in mind, Nick could ingest. But let’s just say, no-one was going in for seconds.
Any guesses where I went wrong?
If you deduced too much gelatin – you’d be correct.
So I went back to the drawing board and got it all worked out.
For those of you who are new to the Panna Cotta game, listen up. It’s as simple as the simplest homemade dessert you’ve ever made – though it screams elegance and labor. Exactly what I go for. Food with weekend flavors that are weeknight easy. I think that should become my new tagline.
Panna Cotta is a pudding thickened with gelatin that is remarkably creamy and welcoming to all sorts of flavor profiles. It originated in Italy and its name literally means ‘cooked cream’.
I wanted to be a little adventurous with my flavors. So I thought about what complements chocolate but is a little unexpected. Orange came to mind as did chili. So, I went for both. If you’re not one for heat, you can adjust the measure or not include it at all – but I promise you, it comes across as just a whisper, whereas the orange was probably a cheerleader back in the day, offering a little more volume.
This is one dessert I’m going to have a lot of fun with. I hope you do too!
Have a lovely weekend, my friends!
Buon Appetito
Print
Chocolate Panna Cotta
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 tsp. unflavored gelatin
- 1 1/3 cups half-and-half
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp. orange extract
- 1/8 – 1/4 tsp chili powder
- 1/8 tsp. salt
- Orange Marmalade (optional)
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine milk and gelatin; let stand for 5 minutes.
- Cook and stir over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes or just until gelatin dissolves (do not let milk boil).
- Add half-and-half, sugar, chocolate, orange, chili powder and salt to milk mixture.
- Cook, whisking constantly, over medium-high heat for 4 to 5 minutes until sugar dissolves and chocolate is melted.
- Remove from heat.
- Let the chocolate mixture stand until cooled slightly.
- Pour mixture into four coffee or dessert cups.
- Cover and chill for 8 to 24 hours.
- When serving, add a dollop of store bought orange marmalade on the pudding.
Not finished yet…
Panna Cotta from around the web…
Pumpkin Panna Cotta with Salted Caramel Sauce – Hapa Nom Nom
Vanilla Panna Cotta with Mixed Berry Compote – Ichogo Shortcake
Layered Green Tea Panna Cotta – Christine’s Recipes
Yogurt Panna Cotta with Blueberry Sauce – Glorious Treats
Ciao!
LOVE panna cotta. Yes, yes and yes again.
Food with weekend flavors that are weeknight easy. Perfect tagline – and YES, you should use it.
This is yet again another reason why I love coming to your site. Beautiful photos and I laughed at the chocolate gummy bear story. perfect.
I will be making this. Pinned.
Ahhh – thanks – hmmmm, now I’m thinking that tagline needs to stay! And thank you so much for your kind words…I appreciate them…always! 🙂
I love chocolate puddings, and this looks incredibly delicious!
Thank you, Marsha!
oh Annie, this looks just gorgeous! i want to lick all those bowls in front of me right now!! Pinning to try later!
It is pretty irresistible! Thanks, friend! 🙂
I am a huge fan of homemade chocolate pudding over snack pack puddings too!
And WoW – what a fantastic panna cotta this is! I adore your combination of chili and orange and chocolate!
Thanks so much, dear! 🙂
OMG, I can’t stop looking at this panna cotta! Pictures are gorgeous and the orange chili is such a great idea! Will try it soon!
Thanks, Mira!! Enjoy! 🙂
I have a secret to reveal too – I’ve never actually had panna cotta before! Shame on me! That needs to change with your chocolate chili business now that you’ve perfected the recipe! No more chocolate gummy bears! 🙂
Shame on you! Now get to it!! I know you’ll like it, my friend! 🙂
Boy loves chocolate pudding, even that crap snack pack stuff, but he especially loves chocolate panna cotta! I am willing to bet he would go crazy for your version with orange and chili, Annie! This just looks beyond fabulous! Pinned! P.S. You NEED to copy-write “Food with weekend flavors that are weeknight easy”. Love it! Cheers, girlfriend!
It’s too delish to pass up…I am willing to bet that Boy would like this, too, if he he likes the snack pack stuff! Thanks for your kind words, my friend! Happy Monday! xo
Now I want to make panna cotta! I’ve always seen it at restaurants and never tried it. You totally convinced me to give it a shot. It looks so much cooler than pudding!
Yes! I would say panna cotta is pudding’s cooler older cousin…You are correct! Thanks, friend!
It’s always a warm feeling when we have memories attached to dishes. I love panna cotta and that light spice is perfect. My little one can eat at least 2 of those, he loves them. Sounds and looks amazing. Perfect for FALL.
xoxo
Awh! I love that your little one loves panna cotta! I can only imagine the wonderful dishes he’s come to enjoy! Lucky little guy! Thanks, my dear! xoxo
You may not believe me, but I’ve never made panna cotta! It’s always sounded like rocket science for me, ha-ha. But chocolate dessert with the orange and chili twists? Count me on, please! Well done, Annie!
I do find that very difficult to believe, Ben! Now you know – no rocket science involved!! Go for it! Thanks, friend!
Ha! A chocolate gummy bear – I love it! I’ve been guilty of adding too much gelatin… and too little 😉
These look fantastic and I just love the chocolate, orange, chili combo! Molto delizioso la mia amica!
Thanks, dear! If anyone knows a good panna cotta, it’s you! xo
Love love love this! The addition of chili is just genius. Pinning to try!
Thanks, my dear!! 🙂
Mmmmm. I’m glad your guys helped you work this out. (My guys don’t hold back either, lol!) You know I love chocolate and orange, and if you added a little kick to it, that must be incredibly good. And I love your potential tagline!
Hahah! They definitely did! They know I rely on them for that! 🙂 So glad it worked out – it’s quite delish! Thanks, hon!
One of my favorite desserts in the world is chocolate pudding, and love a good panna cotta too! This sounds so delicious with the orange and chili flavors! Pinning this to try!
Thanks, Marcie! I am with you, my friend! 🙂
Homemade pudding is so different and so much better than pre-made stuff. You pretty much have all of my favorite flavors going on in here. I love orange and chocolate and I’m crazy about chocolate and spice!
You really can’t compare them, can you?! That little bit of heat plays well off the brightness of the orange! It’s quite yummy! 🙂
I love panna cotta – so cool and creamy. I’ve never tried a chocolate version let alone with orange and chili – looking forward to trying this recipe, Annie!
Fabulous! Enjoy, my friend! Hope you’re having a lovely weekend! 🙂
I love panna cotta and love that this reminds you of the chocolate pudding your mom used to make! It looks amazing – so creamy & luscious! The hint of orange and heat from the chili sound so cozy and wonderful!
It’s a perfect chocolaty dessert for fall! Thanks, Kelly! 🙂
Oh Dear!!! This is magnificent!!! So glad Nagi pointed you out to us readers 🙂 What a fantastic blog you have! With such gorgeous photos!!! I am in love!!! Consider me sold 🙂 You got yourself another regular reader darling 🙂
I so appreciate Nagi! And what kind words for you to say! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I’m rushing right over to your blog, now! Have a lovely weekend, my friend! 🙂
Homemade chocolate pudding was one of my favorites, too. I remember my Grandma used to make it with homemade whipped cream, yum! This panna cotta looks delicious, Annie! I don’t think I’ve ever had a chocolate kind before!
Those are some cozy memories, right there! If you like chocolate pudding – you will love this! Thanks, my dear!
The name ‘Chocolate Panna Cotta with Orange and Chili’ itself is making me drool. I can imagine the most delicious flavors. And that orange marmalade on top is just to die for.
The flavor combination is quite delish! Thank you, my friend! Have a lovely weekend! 🙂