Keto Panne Cotta with Mascarpone

Panna Cotta Low Carb Recipe
This keto-friendly panna cotta recipe is enriched with mascarpone cheese, making it silky smooth and decadently rich.

Panna Cotta has always been one of those recipes that has intimidated me. So it wasn't until recently that I tried making a low carb version with mascarpone cheese.

What I discovered was that making delicious panna cottas is far easier than I had anticipated. Furthermore, traditional Italian panna cotta desserts are naturally low in carbs, with this recipe containing only 2.2 grams of net carbs per serve.

Mascarpone Cheese Keto Panna Cotta Recipe

Keto panna cotta recipe
Panna Cotta translates to "cooked cream" in Italian, so a traditional panna cotta involves cooking cream that is then set with a gelatin mixture to create a superb dessert of creamy richness.

Mascarpone can easily be substituted for the traditional heavy whipping cream. Furthermore, the finished dessert is creamier and richer than one made with cream. (For more easy keto recipes with mascarpone, check out these ten.)

To make the low carb panna cotta, begin by blooming the gelatin or agar agar in a small bowl or jug by mixing it with water and leaving it for a few minutes to thicken.

I tried both and it just depends on which one you prefer. (As well as whether you want the dessert to be vegetarian-friendly.)

Then, in a saucepan over medium heat, combine the mascarpone cheese, milk, vanilla, and stevia until warmed but not bubbling.

Stevia is my preferred sweetener, but you can use monk fruit sweetener, erythritol, or any other low carb and keto friendly sweetener of your choice in this recipe.

For a strong vanilla flavor, use vanilla extract, essence, or even vanilla beans or paste.

Make sure the mascarpone mixture is warm enough for the gelatin to easily dissolve.

When the mascarpone is warm, add the bloomed gelatin, remove from the heat, and whisk until completely smooth.

Then, simply allow the mixture to cool before transferring to lightly greased individual glasses, ramekins, molds, or bowls for serving.

Fresh berries, whole, mashed, or pureed, can be used to top your panna cotta. I like to top mine with homemade strawberry chia jam, which cuts through the richness of the panna cotta perfectly.

It is entirely up to you how many panna cotta portions you make. This is a very rich dessert that would comfortably serve four people.

I, on the other hand, pour mine into two glasses, store them in the fridge, and my Husband and I each consume a glass of panna cotta slowly over the weekend – by the teaspoon full when we crave something sweet.

Mascarpone Panna Cotta Low Carb Recipe

2 tsp gelatin (or agar agar powder)
1/3 cup water 250g/0.55lb Mascarpone
Almond Milk, 1/2 cup
Stevia, 1/4 cup
1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Preparation 

In a small bowl, combine the gelatin or agar agar and the water until the gelatin has dissolved.
Allow the gelatin to bloom for 5-10 minutes.
Mascarpone, milk, stevia, and vanilla should all be combined in a small saucepan.
Cook over medium heat until warmed but not bubbling.
Remove from the heat and stir in the bloomed gelatin until thoroughly combined.
Pour into 2-4 glasses and place in the refrigerator.

This panna cotta is a rich and heavenly creamy dessert that can be enjoyed all year. From a romantic Valentine's Day dessert to a no-bake summer sweet treat topped with in-season berries, there's something for everyone.

You can even make panna cottas ahead of time as a festive Christmas no bake dessert to free up your oven for other festive favorites and have dessert ready well ahead of time.