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Easy Eggnog Panna Cotta with Pistachio Toffee Crunch

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If you love eggnog, this creamy Eggnog Panna Cotta with Homemade Pistachio Toffee is going to be a fun recipe for you to try! Lots of fresh spicy eggnog flavors, combined into one smooth and creamy dessert!

You can also see ALL of the delicious Gluten Free Eggnog Desserts on my blog. I can’t wait to hear which you try!

Eggnog panna cotta in a jar topped with toffee and pistachios

With this homemade panna cotta recipe, I am closing out my eggnog cravings for the season! I was happy to tempt you with my favorite eggnog desserts like this Gluten Free Eggnog Bread Pudding and these Gluten Free Eggnog Skinny Cheesecakes…but I am ready to just sit back and enjoy now :-).

What is Panna Cotta?

Panna Cotta is a dessert that my kids love. It is thick and creamy, and you can make it in all sorts of fun flavors!

Panna cotta is an Italian favorite. It is made with cream, sugar, and gelatin to set it. It is a dessert that is so easy to make, my kids frequently make it. I have been encouraging their kitchen explorations, even if they seem to only want to make desserts because they really need to learn how to cook.

Hopefully, you will love this easy eggnog panna cotta recipe as much as we did!

Top view of a glass with eggnog panna cotta. Pieces of toffee and pistachios top this dessert

Homemade Toffee Crunch Topping

In order to make this recipe, you are going to want to see how to make the Homemade Toffee that tops this dessert. It adds the perfect little “crunch” factor to this panna cotta recipe.

(*Tip, make sure you read through the whole toffee recipe before starting. There is even a video to show you all of the steps! I had some horrible “bloopers” along the way. I talk about each recipe fail, and how to fix them!)

Two jars of eggnog panna cotta. Each is topped with homemade toffee pieces.

More Delicious Flavors of Panna Cotta to Try:

  • Add fresh berries and a little whipped cream.
  • Flavor with rum as the Italians do.
  • Add cocoa powder and a little more sugar to make chocolate panna cotta
  • Flavor with some espresso!

Types of Gelatin:

For this recipe, you will want to use unflavored gelatin.

I know a lot of people don’t like to use gelatin for various healthy/quality reasons. I did find this brand of gelatin which is non-GMO, certified gluten free, dairy free, Kosher, and Halal.

Gelatin is important in this recipe because it is what causes the cream (or eggnog in this case) to firm up.

How to make Panna Cotta:

Dissolving gelatin in eggog in a small bowl.

The first step to making this easy panna cotta recipe is to dissolve the gelatin with some of the eggnog. Let it sit and thicken for 15 minutes.

Eggnog cooking over a stove

Can you cook Panna Cotta Stovetop?

You definitely want to cook this panna cotta recipe stovetop. You can use a pot or even a double boiler.

Cook the eggnog on low heat. Don’t bring it to a boil. Add the gelatin eggnog combination. Slowly cook to thicken. TIP: use a whisk to stir your panna cotta so it turns out creamy.

Gently pour the mixture into small glasses or ramekins and chill in the refrigerator.

Top view of a jar of eggnog panna cotta topped with pistachios and toffee

Shopping List for this Eggnog Panna Cotta Recipe:

  • Eggnog
  • Gelatin
  • Sugar
  • Heavy Cream
  • Vanilla

Can you make this eggnog panna cotta ahead?

You can make this panna cotta recipe a day or two ahead. It should keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

How long does it take for the panna cotta to set?

I would recommend refrigerating the panna cotta for a minimum of two hours to set. Note, if you plan to use a mold to shape your panna cotta, you will want to chill it for at least 5 hours.

More Delicious Gluten Free Holiday Desserts to Try:

Things You Need To Make This Easy Panna Cotta Recipe:

  1. Ramekins to make single servings of this dessert.
  2. Small Mason Jars also are great. You can close the lids to keep them fresh longer.

recipe love

Eggnog Panna Cotta Recipe

Eggnog Panna Cotta Recipe

Yield: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

An easy eggnog panna cotta with pistachio toffee.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup eggnog
  • 1 teaspoon gelatin
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

  1. In a small dish, combine 1/3 cup heavy cream and 1 teaspoon gelatin. Whisk to blend and allow to sit 10 minutes.
  2. In a saucepan, combine the rest of the heavy cream and sugar.
  3. Cook on medium-low heat until the sugar dissolves. 
  4. Add eggnog and gelatin mixture to the pan. Whisk and allow to heat just until it boils.
  5. Remove from the heat and pour into ramekins or glass mason jars.
  6. Cover each dish with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator.
  7. Optional top with toffee.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 343 Total Fat: 30g Saturated Fat: 19g Trans Fat: 1g Unsaturated Fat: 9g Cholesterol: 115mg Sodium: 45mg Carbohydrates: 14g Fiber: 0g Sugar: 14g Protein: 5g
Please note this nutrition information is calculated by a recipe plugin and is an estimate based on the ingredients used in this recipe.
© Sandi Gaertner
Cuisine: American / Category: Gluten Free Dessert Recipes

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Robert K.

    This recipe is wonderful! I love both Panna Cotta and Egg Nog and it never struck me to combine them. I was wondering if you could share the brand of cup you used? I have searched and searched and cannot find that shape 🙂

    Reply

    • Sandi Gaertner

      Thank you so much Robert and I am glad you like it. I found these glass jars at a store called Cost Plus…they are importers and I believe they are on the West Coast.

      Reply

  8. Alisa Fleming

    As if the panna cotta isn’t decadent enough, you added toffee too! I love it. It would be a stretch, but I’m curious to try this dairy free.

    Reply

  12. Sarah

    …you had me at egg nog! What a delicious sounding treat using one of my favorite flavors this time of the year!! Can’t wait to try this!

    Reply

  13. Kristina

    these are gorgeous, and sound so so good! I love the pistachio toffee crunch, too – I’d want mine to have DOUBLE. 😉

    Reply

  14. Lisa

    These look absolutely delightful, Sandi! I was never a fan of panna cotta — until I had a good one. My previous experiences felt more like jell-o, not the silky, melt-in-your-mouth experience a good panna cotta gives. This is lovely.

    Reply

  15. Ginny McMeans

    What a great recipe. They have all of those ingredients in vegan products now and I am excited to try this recipe. Thanks!

    Reply

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