Making Cappuccino Panna Cotta at Home

Going to Starbucks on the regular to get your daily dose of caffeine through gourmet beverages can take a serious toll on your waistline and budget. Learning to make some of those gourmet coffee drinks at home is easier and less expensive than you might think at first. With a little bit of planning and some easily sourced ingredients, you can be on your way to enjoying a delicious cappuccino in the comfort of your own home in no time flat. Perhaps one of the best reasons to convince yourself to try making some of these coffee favorites at home is that the act of having to prepare them can slow down your urge to consume more calories than necessary to cure your sweet tooth.

If you really want to kick up your coffee based culinary skills a notch, you can try making cappuccino panna cotta at home. This delicious dessert is an Italian mainstay and is the perfect option to serve to guests or on a special occasion. It translates to "cooked cream" but is served cold. You can always add a few of your favorite berries to garnish the dish once ready to serve. However, the cappuccino panna cotta is actually served more as a dessert drink. All you need to get started is skim milk, a packet of gelatin, espresso powder, one can of sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract and chocolate sauce or syrup. You should also have several glasses, a whisk and some cling wrap handy for storage.

Measure about one cup of skim milk into a glass cup and pour the gelatin packet contents on top. Allow the mixture to sit still for about five minutes before beginning to stir it completely. Then microwave the mixture on high for about 5 minutes or until it is boiling. Carefully remove the cup and mix in two tablespoons of espresso powder, a teaspoon of vanilla extract and the can of sweetened condensed milk using a whisk. You can use any type of glass you'd like, but this dessert is particularly appealing in a martini glass. You should be able to fill about six glasses with the mixture. Use a sheet of cling wrap to cover each glass before placing them in the fridge to cool. It typically takes about two hours for the mixture to cool completely. You will know that the dessert is ready when the mixture appears firm. Use the chocolate sauce to garnish each serving for some extra sweetness. 

While this dessert is extremely delicious, it is best enjoyed in moderation, which is true of any sweet. If you are looking for a guilt-free way to indulge in this frozen delight, consider leaving enough time to take a walk after dinner to burn off some extra calories. You can also substitute fat-free milk so that you consume even fewer calories.