Who’s ready for a Christmas dessert that tastes like the holidays?
This Eggnog Panna Cotta with Spiked Cranberry Sauce is rich, smooth, and full of the warm spices we all adore in eggnog.
With a bright, tart cranberry sauce on top that has just the right amount of kick, this is the perfect dessert to make ahead of time for a holiday meal or party.
Believe me, it’s easy to create than it seems, and your visitors will think you’re a dessert genius!
Let’s get started. 🎄✨
What You’ll Need
To make the Eggnog Panna Cotta:
- 2 cups of thick cream
- 1 cup of eggnog from the supermarket or cooked at home
- 1/2 cup of sugar in granules
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
- 2 1/4 tsp (one package) of gelatin that doesn’t taste like anything
- 3 tablespoons of water
For the Cranberry Sauce with a Kick:
- 1 1/2 cups of cranberries, fresh or frozen
- 1/2 cup of sugar in granules
- 1/2 cup of water
- 2 tablespoons of orange juice
- 1–2 tablespoons of bourbon or rum (optional; adjust to taste)
Optional garnishes:
- Cranberries with sugar
- Sprigs of fresh rosemary
Things You Will Need
- Pan
- A little basin for blooming gelatin
- Whisk
- Spoons and cups for measuring
- Dessert glasses or ramekins
- A little pot for making cranberry sauce
How to do it
- Let the gelatin bloom
Put the gelatin in a small bowl with 3 tablespoons of water. Let it “bloom” for 5 minutes. - Warm up the cream mixture
Put the heavy cream, eggnog, sugar, vanilla, and nutmeg in a medium saucepan. Stir the mixture gradually over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is hot but not boiling. Take it off the heat. - Add gelatin
Whisk the gelatin that has bloomed into the boiling cream liquid until it is completely dissolved. Put the mixture into dessert glasses or ramekins. Let it cool down for 10 minutes at room temperature, then put it in the fridge to set for at least 4 hours or overnight. - Prepare the cranberry sauce
Put the cranberries, sugar, water, and orange juice in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, or until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens. Add bourbon (if using) and let it cool. - Put together and serve
When the panna cotta is completely set, pour cranberry sauce over the top. If you choose, you can add sugared cranberries and rosemary sprigs as a garnish. Serve cold and enjoy!
Helpful Tips
- Bloom that gel! Don’t omit blooming the gelatin in water; it makes sure your panna cotta sets correctly and has the right creamy texture.
- Don’t boil the cream! If you heat the cream too much, it will lose its smooth quality. Just warm it enough to melt the sugar and gelatin.
- For the best set, chill overnight. If you can plan ahead, the panna cotta will set better if you leave it overnight.
- Change the sauce kick. Depending on who you’re serving, you can add more or less bourbon to the cranberry sauce. If you’re serving kids, leave it out completely.
- How you present things is important! For a fancy, easy dessert, serve the panna cotta in small glasses or ramekins.
Changes and Substitutions
- No eggnog? For a homemade eggnog flavor, use 3 cups of heavy cream and add another 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg and a touch of cinnamon.
- No booze? You don’t need to add bourbon; the cranberry sauce will still taste great!
- Is there a version without dairy? Instead of heavy cream and eggnog, use coconut milk with all the fat in it.
Tips for Making Ahead
- You can make panna cotta up to two days ahead of time. Just wrap it firmly in plastic and put it in the fridge.
- You may preserve cranberry sauce in the fridge for up to five days. You can make it ahead of time and reheat it up a little before serving if you want it warm.
Advice on how to store and use leftovers
- You may keep leftover panna cotta in the fridge for up to three days.
- You may keep cranberry sauce in the fridge for up to five days in an airtight container.
In conclusion
Eggnog Panna Cotta with Spiked Cranberry Sauce is what you have! It’s creamy, festive, and just the right mix of rich and fresh. I can’t wait to hear how yours turns out! Please tell me in the comments below how your family loved it or if you made any changes. Happy Christmas and happy cooking! 🎅🎁