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Murielle Banackissa

Coconut Panna Cotta with Chocolate Mousse and Hazelnut Crunch

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1 hour 30 mins Prep: 25 mins Cook: 5 mins Refrigeration Time: 1 hour
Serves 4

Sweetened entirely with dates and dark chocolate, this layered dessert features a rich coconut panna cotta, a homemade hazelnut-chocolate crunch, as well as a creamy and decadent chocolate mouse made with silken tofu. It is a treat for the real chocolate lovers out there.

Ingredients

Coconut Panna Cotta

  • 1 cup full fat coconut milk
  • 2 pitted soft medjool dates
  • ½ tsp agar powder

Hazelnut & Chocolate Crunch

  • ½ cup toasted hazelnuts , chopped
  • 1 heaping tbsp dark chocolate , chopped
  • Pinch of fleur de sel , optional

Chocolate Mousse

  • 1 packed cup silken tofu
  • cup packed pitted soft medjool dates
  • ¼ cup cacao powder
  • ¼ tsp instant coffee
  • Pinch of sea salt

Coconut Panna Cotta

  1. Step 1

    Add coconut milk and dates to a blender and blend until completely smooth.

  2. Step 2

    Strain into a small saucepan.

  3. Step 3

    Add agar powder and whisk until homogeneous.

  4. Step 4

    Bring to a boil then decrease the heat and simmer for 3 minutes, whisking occasionally.

  5. Step 5

    Divide among 4 small glass cups.

  6. Step 6

    Cover and refrigerate for an hour.

Hazelnut & Chocolate Crunch

  1. Step 1

    Line a small plate with parchment paper.

  2. Step 2

    Evenly spread the hazelnuts onto the parchment-lined plate.

  3. Step 3

    Drizzle chocolate onto the hazelnuts and sprinkle some fleur de sel.

  4. Step 4

    Refrigerate until set.

 Chocolate Mousse

  1. Step 1

    Add all ingredients into a high speed blender and blend until smooth. Set aside.

Assemble

  1. Step 1

    Break apart the chocolate covered hazelnut chunks and sprinkle half of them onto the set panna cotta layer in each glass cup.

  2. Step 2

    Top with chocolate mousse.

  3. Step 3

    Garnish with the other half of the chocolate covered hazelnuts.

  4. Step 4

    Enjoy immediately or refrigerate until serving.

Common Questions & Swaps

  • Can I use another kind of milk instead of coconut? No, simply because other non dairy milks will not bring the richness coconut milk brings in this recipe, which will in turn affect the texture of the panna cotta. 
  • What if my dates are dry? Use them, but make sure to soak them in boiling water for 15-20 minutes to help them soften then drain them and use them in the recipe as indicated.
  • Can I use another nut instead of hazelnuts? Sure, I think pecans would be great here.
  • Can I use soft of medium tofu? No, you actually really need silken tofu for this recipe.
Coconut Panna Cotta with Chocolate Mousse and Hazelnut Crunch
Coconut Panna Cotta with Chocolate Mousse and Hazelnut Crunch with spoon taken out
Coconut Panna Cotta with Chocolate Mousse and Hazelnut Crunch

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

One of my philosophies regarding Valentine’s Day is: whether you are in a relationship or whether you are single, take advantage of this day of love to do something special.

I don’t mean to necessarily have a grandiose 6 course dinner with your loved one or binge on ice cream if you are single… 

If you are in a relationship, why not take this occasion to write each other a beautiful card? Maybe cook a nice meal together with all your favorite foods. You could try and replicate your first date together and reminisce how much you both have evolved and grown as individuals and as a couple. I truly don’t think that Valentine’s Day should be the only occasion you take time to tell your partner that you love them, but I do fall in the camp of people who think that it’s still a lovely day to tell your better half how you feel about them and to organize a little something memorable. 

On the other hand, if you are not in a relationship, view Valentine’s Day as the perfect day to practice self-love and self-care. Start your day with a gratitude list, take time to go outside, admire the beauty around you, maybe make yourself your favorite meal, light some candles and blast some music from your favorite artist – I think Sabrina Claudio would be PER-FECT for a solo Vday celebration!

In any case, whether you are in a relationship or single, I think Valentine’s Day is also the ideal occasion to indulge in some chocolate… And I am not just talking any chocolate…

I am talking a next level-type chocolate dessert: Coconut Panna Cotta with Chocolate Mousse & Hazelnut Crunch.

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Coconut Panna Cotta with Chocolate Mousse and Hazelnut Crunch
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We are talking layers of textures and flavours, all with ZERO guilt. Not only should you never experience guilt on Valentine’s Day but also, these little parfaits are entirely made with whole foods and are sweetened with dates! Yes dates, not white sugar, not milk chocolate. Plain, simple, juicy dates.

So what else exactly is in these parfaits?

Quite simple:

LAYER #1: Coconut panna cotta:

  • Coconut milk, for its rich and creamy texture
  • Dates, for their natural sweetness
  • Agar powder, which is a natural vegetable substitute for gelatine

LAYER #2: Hazelnut & chocolate crunch:

  • All recipes in my opinion should have a crunchy element and for this specific recipe, because we are going all decadent and a little fancy, hazelnuts were just the perfect touch – paired with the chocolate, you just feel like you’re eating some elevated Ferrero Rocher!

LAYER #3: Creamy, decadent chocolate mousse:

  • Made with silken tofu, cacao powder, dates, a pinch of salt and instant coffee to really bring to life that chocolate flavour.

These Coconut Panna Cotta with Chocolate Mousse & Hazelnut Crunch are truly little cups of goodness! I mean who does not love layered desserts that are not only healthy for you but also combine chocolate AND coconut AND hazelnuts?!

If you guys do end up making these parfaits (which I really hope you do!), I’d love it if you shared your thoughts on Instagram by tagging me (@muriellebanackissa).

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