Grapefruit Panna Cotta

Creamy and tangy grapefruit panna cotta with whipped cream and pistachios makes for an easy and delightful refreshing treat

Every time I make panna cotta, I'm reminded of how easy they are to make. The longest part is just waiting impatiently for it to set in the fridge but within a couple of hours, you'll have a creamy and light dessert to dig into.

I've used ruby red grapefruit here for its beautiful bright colour. The whipping cream mellows out the tanginess of the grapefruit, resulting in a fruity custard with a smooth, vanilla aroma. A sprinkle of crushed pistachios gives it some texture and makes a great combination. The panna cotta is set with just enough gelatin so that it is jiggly, soft, and every spoonful melts away in your mouth.

How to make grapefruit panna cotta

Bloom gelatin: Squeeze grapefruit juice into a small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin powder over grapefruit juice and let it sit for 5 minutes until the gelatin has bloomed.

Heat whipping cream: In a small pot, add whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. Heat it on medium heat until it's warm and the sugar has dissolved but just before it starts to simmer.

Dissolve gelatin: Add in the grapefruit gelatin mixture and stir to mix well until the gelatin has dissolved.

Chill: Pour panna cotta into ramekins or glass jars and chill in the fridge for at least 2-3 hours or overnight until it has set. 

Decorate: Enjoy as-is or decorate your grapefruit panna cottas with whipped cream, grapefruit slices, and sprinkle with pistachios before enjoying.

Tips for success

• Use your favourite variety of grapefruit but be mindful of its bitterness or sourness and adjust the amount of sugar in the recipe accordingly. Always taste test before pouring the panna cotta into your ramekins to ensure its to your liking.
• Use the right ratio of gelatin. Too much gelatin and your panna cotta will be stiffer and jelly-like. The amount in this recipe is enough to set the panna cotta firmly but it is still soft and melts away in your mouth. If you change the amount of liquid (e.g. your grapefruit gives you less juice than specified in the recipe, you might have to decrease the amount of gelatin).
• Mix the gelatin into the whipping cream mixture thoroughly to ensure it doesn't separate into layers as it sets. Don't let the cream boil and don't pour the mixture into your ramekins or jars while it's too hot. Let it cool until lukewarm to the touch and give it a stir before dividing into ramekins and chilling.

How to store panna cotta

Panna cotta can be easily made ahead and chilled overnight. It can wrapped and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Add the whipped cream topping and garnishes right before serving.

Panna cotta should not be frozen as this changes the texture completely.

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Other citrus recipes to try

• Strawberry Lemon Curd Tartlets
• Mandarin Orange Macarons
• Tangerine Tanghulu
• Blood Orange Pavlovas