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Don’t be confused by this Panna Cotta, just be excited.
Like really, really, REALLY excited.
Plus, it’s Friday…excitement should already be in the air. I mean, I know it is for me.
It’s been a long three days back in the real world. Whoever said vacations make you feel revived was totally lying. Ok, well maybe not totally, I mean, I feel pretty excited to be back working, but at the same time I have been playing a mad game of catch up. UGH (help!) Plus, the trek home from Florida left me totally drained, and it’s not because of the late arrival home Tuesday night. On the longer of my two flights back home, I sat next to one of “those” people. And no, I am not talking about the lady on the last leg of my flight with the crying baby – that did not even phase me. No, no, on my first flight I sat next to one of those people who loves to talk, learn all about you, tell you about themselves and then talk some more. Yeah. On top of that I had my dad sitting behind me making jokes about how this kid was so “into” me (notice the word kid). Guys, he was fourteen. Fourteen. He also told me that one, he would have never thought I was twenty-one (he guessed fifteen…it’s getting old) and two, I was really short for being twenty-one. Really??? I am five-four, that’s not that short, is it?
So I can’t seem to stop dreaming about the Florida sunshine, 8o degree days and miles of sandy beaches. Ok, and maybe all the pineapples and mangos too…ah, and fruity drinks.
Yeah, it may take me a while to break out of my vacation funk. Slowly but surely I guess.
Ok, moving things right along, on to these crazy and awesome chocolate peanut butter bubble panna cotta. You may be a little confused, but don’t fear them. If you are into mousse and pudding-like things, peanut butter and chocolate than you are going to NEED these.
Really, you will. No joking around here.
The only thing semi odd about these panna cotta are the boba pearls. If you have never had boba, they’re basically just really large tapioca pearls. They add awesome texture and great flavor, AND they are super fun. They just sit at the bottom in a creamy, honey milk. Sort of like pudding, but maybe just a little thinner. It depends on how thick you let things get, but either way will be delicious.
And like I said, they add some really awesome texture to a fairly textureless dessert like panna cotta. Perfect!
Next comes the peanut butter layer. It’s like a super creamy mousse. Think of a buckeye filling, but just a little more whipped. Peanut butter lovers beware, this layer is a tad addicting.
Now the panna cotta. I made mine of the chocolate variety…of course. Would you expect anything else? I hope not. To be honest, I was a little scared of panna cotta because it always seemed so fancy and elegant to me. But you know, it’s actually a really easy dessert. It helped that I pretty much de-fancified this panna cotta with my layers of peanut butter and boba pearls. Figures, I just can’t leave anything as it.
Oh well, I like fun foods, what can I say.
Here’s the thing though. You can’t just stop with the panna cotta. You see, you absolutely must make some honey roasted peanuts for a little added crunch and sweetness. It’s a must.
And you clearly need to top each panna cotta with a rather large scoop of chocolate ice cream. See I have decided that we really need to go all out here, and a scoop of ice cream on top is just what these need. So don’t skip.
And if you could see me, you would see me saying all this in my most serious voice, with my serious face. It’d be super embarrassing, but I don’t care. The ice cream and peanuts are mandatory.
No question about it.
And since I am giving orders…
Chocolate Peanut Butter Bubble (Boba) Panna Cotta with Honey Roasted Peanuts.
Servings: 8 PANNA COTTA'S
Calories Per Serving: 801 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Boba
- 2 cups [Boba Topioca Pearls | http://www.amazon.com/BLACK-BUBBLE-TAPIOCA-PEARL-2-2LB/dp/B003IHC294/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405904680&sr=8-1&keywords=boba+tapioca+pearls]
- 2 cups canned coconut milk 2% or whole milk also work
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Panna Cotta
- 5 cups canned coconut milk or heavy cream divided, I like to use coconut milk
- 2 1/2 teaspoons plain gelatin
- 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese may sub cream cheese
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon instant coffee
- 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate chopped
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract divided
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- chocolate ice cream for serving (optional...but not really!)
Honey Roasted Peanuts
- 1 1/2 cup roasted salted peanuts
- 3-4 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Start by making the boba. In a sauce pot combine the coconut milk, 1/2 cup water and the honey. Bring the mixture to a boil, add the boba pearls and reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer 15 minutes, then taste one of the bobas to make sure it is soft in the middle. Once soft remove from the heat and add the vanilla extract. Allow the boba milk to sit for another 15 minutes.
- To make the panna cotta. Pour 1/2 cup of the coconut milk or heavy cream into a medium size bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over it and let stand until softened, about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium heat, bring 2 1/2 cups of coconut milk (or cream), the mascarpone, sugar, salt and coffee just to a boil, watch closely, you do not want the milk to boil over...trust me!). Remove the pan from the heat, add the chocolate and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, whisk until smooth.
- Add the gelatin mixture to the chocolate mixture and stir until well blended and smooth. If your mixture is not smooth (mine was) you may pour the mix through a fine mesh strainer.
- In a blender or food processor, add the remaining 2 cups coconut milk (or heavy cream), peanut butter, cream cheese and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Blend until smooth and creamy. The mixture should be thick, but pourable.
- Grab the reserved boba pearls (they should be plump and semi pudding like by now) and divide them evenly among 6-8 glass jars or glass serving dishes. Now evenly divide the peanut butter mixture over the pearls and then divide the chocolate panna cotta over the peanut butter. Cover the panna cotta loosely and refrigerate until set and chilled, at least 3 hours or up to 1 day.
- To serve, add a scoop of chocolate ice cream to each panna cotta. Top with honey roasted peanuts (below) and eat!
Honey Roasted Peanuts
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Add the peanut to the parchment lined baking sheet and drizzle with honey and butter. Toss well. Roast for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden and caramelized. Allow to cool before adding to the panna cotta.
Notes
*This recipe can easily be halved if desired. *I buy my boba pearls from Amazon - the link is in the ingredients list above
Go make these and have a beyond awesome weekend!
TIEGHAN!! This is genius! 🙂 I was basically screaming on the inside because I was so excited when I came across this on Pinterest! You’re amazing.
Thank you so much Joleen!! ?
This must be chocolate peanut butter heaven and I love the roasted peanut toppers!
You are so funny!! You should of pushed that 14-year old out of the window!! And it’s really good to be really young looking, you will be really happy about it when you are 55, and will look like 30 ( you do NOT look 15!! ) And 5.4 is not short… With the killer hills!!! I can’t wear killer hills because I am 5.8, and will look like a tower!! So, that guy was 14.. And since guys mature way later, he was probably 10.. You would not be mad at Asher for saying silly things, right?
This is the first time I see and here those boba pearls!! Where do you take this stuff!?? So glad I have not ordered those berries you had in smoothie another day, because now I need to buy order boba pears too! So trying this!
All I can say is you totally just made me smile!! 🙂
Very creative, I love the jar it’s being poured in.
WOAH this sounds and looks crazy delicious. sorry to hear that you had to sit beside “one of those” on the plane. it makes for good laughs tho!
Thank you so much! Hope you are having a great weekend!
The boba is so fun! Love this fun twist on panna cotta!
Thank you so much, Hayley! Hope all is good!
I just tried panna cotta for the first time a few weeks ago and loved it! I’ll have to try this recipe since I love chocolate and peanut butter, too!
This you will love then! 🙂
Thanks Kelly! Have a great weekend!
First, this look so delicious and so creative! Your recipes never stop inspiring me. Second, I feel your pain in the realest way. I am 22 and people constantly think I am like 15. It’s a little ridiculous.
UGH! Isn’t it the worst! Hang in there!
Thanks Chelsea! Have a fun weekend!
So this line in your post: “They add awesome texture and great flavor, AND they are super fun” reminded me of that line in the movie Election (circa 1999) where Chris Klein is talking about Tracy Flick with his teacher. Matthew Broderick: “Yeah, no, she’s a go-getter, all right.” Chris Klein “AND she’s super nice.” So obviously I need to try boba. Sadly, I just did the math and realized you were 5 years old when that movie came out. Dang I’m old. And as for your amazing recipe… super yum.
LOL! Yeah, I have never heard that one, but hey, you learn something new everyday! 🙂
Thanks Meggan!! Have a great weekend
Hehe, I’m twenty-two and I get mistaken for being SO much younger all the time. And I’m only 5’2. I feel you. 😉
These look awesome!
YA! I have a friend in my young (but not really that young), shortness!:)
Thanks Alexandra!!
Girl, I’m 5’0″, and almost 30. You’re a freaking giant compared to me! :). Also, bubble tea is my favorite… this looks amazing! Nice use of boba!
🙂
Thank you so very much, Amber! Have the best weekend!
Oh my goodness, this looks absolutely divine!
Thanks so much, Susan! Have a great weekend!
I’m always tired after vacation for the first two days, from catching up. But hey, you can totally refresh this awesome dessert!
Yes, dessert fixing everything! 🙂