Coconut Vanilla Panna Cotta

Jun 22, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Custards puddings creams Origin: Tahitian Vanilla: Beans Easy

Coconut Vanilla Panna Cotta, unmolded on a plate with vanilla beans

Coconut panna cotta flavored with a whole vanilla bean. An easy recipe: 15 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cooking, plus setting; serves 6. Best vanilla for this: Tahitian (floral, cherry, anise), or Madagascar (rich, creamy, classic). Any pure vanilla works.

Prep 15 min

Cook 10 min

Set 4 hr

Total 4 hr 25 min

Servings 6

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

servings

3.0 cups (720.0 ml)heavy cream
½ cup (100.0 g)granulated sugar
2 ½ tsp (7.0 g)powdered gelatin
3.0 tbsp (45.0 ml)cold water
1.0vanilla bean, split and scraped
½ cup (40.0 g)toasted coconut flakes

Make it at home

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Instructions

Sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water in a small bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes, until it softens and looks wrinkled (this is called blooming).
Warm the cream, sugar, and vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring, just until the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture steams. Don't let it boil.
Remove from the heat and whisk in the bloomed gelatin until it melts completely and the mixture is smooth.
Pour into six molds or glasses and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, until set with a gentle wobble in the center.
To unmold, dip each mold briefly in warm water and invert onto a plate, or serve straight from the glass.
Sprinkle the toasted coconut over each serving.

Tips

Toast the coconut in a dry skillet, stirring constantly, until just golden; it burns quickly.
Don't toss the scraped pods: tuck them into a jar of sugar for homemade vanilla sugar.
No vanilla bean? Use 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste or 1 teaspoon vanilla powder instead. Add it where the recipe adds the seeds; if the bean is steeped in hot milk or cream, stir the swap in after cooking, off the heat.
Choosing vanilla: Tahitian vanilla (floral, cherry, anise) suits this recipe best; Madagascar (rich, creamy, classic) is a great alternative, and any pure vanilla works.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make panna cotta?

Plan on 15 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cooking, plus 4 hr set. The recipe makes 6 servings.

How should I store panna cotta?

Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Add any topping just before serving.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This version uses 1 split vanilla bean. You can swap in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon of vanilla bean paste, or 1 teaspoon of vanilla powder instead; they're interchangeable at these amounts. Beans give the most visible specks and the fullest aroma.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 6 servings this recipe makes.

511 Calories / serving

46.1g Fat

21.6g Carbs

4.7g Protein

20.4g Sugar

Whole recipe (6 servings): ~3066 cal · 277g fat · 130g carbs · 28g protein · 122g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 511 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 97 min·5.7 mi·~11350 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 69 min·3.5 mi·~6900 steps
Moderate cycling 52 min·10.4 mi
Swimming laps 72 min
Jogging 50 min·4.2 mi·~8000 steps
Stair climbing 47 min·~4250 steps
Dancing 83 min
Bodyweight circuit training 52 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 119 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.