Panna Cotta With Luxardo Maraschino Cherries
Creamy and velvety smooth Almond Panna Cotta turns into a decadently delicious finale for your holiday meal when topped with Luxardo Maraschino Cherries. The amazing marasca sour cherries from the Veneto region of Italy are candied and then steeped in a syrup made from cherry juice and sugar. The panna cotta, which means “cooked cream” in Italian, is a special treat your guests will enjoy but they will never imagine how easy and quick this chilled dessert is to prepare…there is only about five minutes of cooking involved in the recipe.
Even if you aren’t familiar with their name, you may have had the Luxardo maraschino cherries if you have been to an upscale bar or restaurant and ordered a Manhattan, Rob Roy or Old Fashioned. The delicious dark burgundy, almost black, cherries were probably stuck on the swizzle stick in your cocktail.
My husband discovered the cherries when he ordered a special “New Old Fashioned” at the bar in the Pillars Hotel in Fort Lauderdale. Needless to say he loved them and went in search of the cherries when we returned home. I must confess that we were surprised that the imported cherries were pricy but considering that they are not the artificially colored neon red supermarket cherries, my husband decided to splurge. You only need one or two to top each almond panna cotta so I knew my husband wouldn’t mind sharing his special cocktail cherries for this wonderful chilled dessert that we served to our friends.
Almond Panna Cotta Topped With Luxardo Maraschino Cherries
Serves 4 – 6, depending on the size of the molds.
- 1 packet (1/4oz.) of Knox unflavored gelatin powder*
- 2 Tbsp. milk or cold water
- 2 c. (1 pint) heavy cream
- 1 c. half and half
- 1/3 – 1/2 c. powdered (icing) sugar
- 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp. almond extract
- Luxardo Maraschino Cherries, 1 or 2 cherries and a little syrup to drizzle on each individual serving
*If you are using bulk powdered gelatin, a packet is slightly less than 2 1/2 tsp.
Place milk into a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over it and let sit (do not stir) until the gelatin becomes soft and spongy. Place the cream, half and half and sugar into a pot over medium low heat and stir to dissolve the sugar. Taste for sweetness. Simmer over low heat until small bubbles appear around the edge. Add the gelatin and stir until it dissolves. (Do not let the cream boil.) Remove from heat and strain through a fine sieve into a container with a pouring spout. Stir in the vanilla and almond extract and let cool.
Pour into serving containers or molds and refrigerate for 4 – 5 hours, depending on their size. (If making the day before, once the mixture has gotten firm, place a piece of plastic wrap on top of each panna cotta so that a thick skin doesn’t form.)
To serve, let the molds sit out about 5 to 10 minutes. Wipe the dessert plates with a damp paper towel. This makes it easier to reposition the panna cotta if you haven’t placed it in the right spot on the plate. Loosen the top edge of the molds with the tip of a thin knife then warm each mold in your hands or dip into warm water for just a second or two. Place a dessert plate on top, turn over and gently tap to unmold.
Tips:
- Sweetness level of the panna cotta can be adjusted depending on your tastes and whether or not you are adding a sweet topping.
- If you plan to unmold the panna cotta, you can run cold water on the inside of the molds, then pour out but do not dry before filling.
- A thin film of non flavored oil can be lightly wiped on the inside of the molds instead of using water, which will also help when unmolding.
- It is important that the mixture should never boil or the panna cotta will not set properly.
- If you plan to not unmold the panna cotta, you can serve when firm, about 2 hours. If umolding, refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- To unmold, dip the container into hot water for a few seconds and run a knife around the edge.
- If you don’t have molds, you can use small disposable Dixie bathroom cups, they are flexible for easy removal.
- If you are worried about having problems unmolding the panna cotta, you can pour the cream mixture into pretty small glasses or cups, chill until firm and serve in the glasses.
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Luxardo cherries imported from Italy are quite a bit more expensive than their American counterparts but they will add a special touch to your holiday meal. The panna cotta is easy to make and looks beautiful when presented with its topping of the deep burgundy colored cherries. I’m sure you will get raves from your guests when they have had a taste of this luscious, remarkably creamy dessert.
What delicious dessert ! I love panacotta !
Thank you Gloria, If you love panna cotta, I think you would really enjoy this one.
I’m not a big pudding fan, but that looks delicious!
Hi Mad Dog, I believe this very light panna cotta might well change your mind…it is definitely as good as it looks.
I’m already sold – I like panna cotta 😉
Panna Cotta is something I’ve never made. This looks beautiful Karen. And I’m with the husband. Splurging on quality food items is something one shouldn’t hesitate to do.
Hi Lea Ann, I love making panna cotta…it is one of the simplest desserts you could possibly make. I believe you and my husband are correct about quality. 😊
That looks like a dessert from a fine gourmet restaurant!
I appreciate your very kind words Angie, thank you for your lovely compliment about the panna cotta.
Someone gave me some Luxardo maraschino cherries and I avoided them for the longest time, just assuming they were going to be similar to the grocery store variety. What a mistake! Once I opened them, I was hooked. I love the idea of using them on an almond flavored panna cotta. Very nice!
Hi David, weren’t you surprised when you finally tasted the Luxardo cherries. They worked so well with the almond panna cotta…I thought they were the perfect topping.
Panna Cotta is a wonderful dessert and your recipe looks special.
Thank you Jovina, I believe the cherries do make the almond panna cotta special.
Looks elegant
Thank you Larry, panna cotta does indeed look elegant when you serve it unmolded but it is one of the easiest desserts to make.
Luxado cherries ARE pricey but SO good! They’re wonderful in drinks. Haven’t tried them in a dessert — great idea. And this would be a neat dish in which to use them. Really nice recipe — thanks.
Thank you John, I knew my expert cocktail authority would approve of the topping of Luxardo cherries for the panna cotta. 😘
So pretty and sounds divine!
Jenna
Thank you Jenna, I believe the almond panna cotta with the cherry topping is as good as it looks.
This is such a wonderful dessert! I’ve had the cherries and they are indeed as good as you’ve described them.
Hi Ronit, I’m glad that you agree about the Luxardo cherries being a special topping for the panna cotta. Thank you for your nice compliment.
What a beautiful dessert and great idea. Merry Christmas Karen.
Thank you for your nice compliment and wish Penny. I’m glad you like the panna cotta, it is as good as it is pretty. 😘
Oh my gosh, your panna cotta takes me back to enjoying it in Bologna (with strawberries in the version that I had). I love cherries more than any fruit and would LOVE to try your recipe with them! Buon Natale!!!!
I appreciate your lovely compliment and wish Roz. I believe you would enjoy this version of panna cotta with the delicious cherry topping. Thank you and Buon Natale to you.
Go big or go home is what we always say and this dessert certainly pulls out the red carpet effect for your guests. Gorgeous!
You gave me a chuckle Bobbi, I tend to agree when it comes to entertaining your guests. I appreciate your nice compliment about the panna cotta, thank you.
Oh – what a dreamy dessert!
Thank you Ladyfi, I’m happy that you like the panna cotta dessert.
Looks classy and easy.Thanks!
Hi Darlene, I think you are right on both counts, thank you. 😊
this looks so pretty karen. i am not a fan of gelatine so i don’t usually eat or make anything with it in it. but sometimes a panna cotta can be superb if done just right – all wobbly and tender. i’m sure your is delicious. cheers sherry
Sherry I think you would probably enjoy this panna cotta. I made panna cotta the other night for friends and one described it as “light as angel’s wings”.
Karen, the panna cotta looks delicious. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Thank you Pam, it is always my pleasure to share my recipes. This really was a delicious dessert.
I wasn’t familiar with these luxurious cherries but I’d be happy to make their acquaintance. 😉 This truly tempts me, Karen.
Hi Debra, I’m happy to be able to introduce you to Luxardo cherries, they are absolutely delicious and make a wonderful topping for the almond panna cotta. Thank you!
This looks absolutely divine!!
Thank you Lisa for your nice compliment, I would say that the panna cotta is as good as it looks.
Karen, what a perfect dessert for the Christmas season. I love panna cotta!
Hi Pam, I agree with you about the panna cotta being a nice dessert to serve during the Christmas season. It is a light yet delicious ending to a meal. I appreciate your nice compliment.
I had the privilege of having panna cotta for the first time in Italy. I searched far and wide for it stateside, or a recipe, for years. The trouble was I had no earthly idea what it was called. I remember looking for it as what it wasn’t (“not a custard, not flan, not crème brulee, not cheesecake, with berry sauce.”)
It wasn’t until more than 10 years later on a cooking show from Australia that I had a eureka moment. My excitement sure surprised my husband and MIL who were watching the show, until I explained the backstory (and then was redoubled when my MIL made panna cotta for me!)
Thank you for sharing this recipe and rekindling the fond memories for me to boot. I hope you are having a fulfilling and peaceful holiday season.
Not only am I happy that you like the recipe Plumdirt, I’m glad that the post reminded you of the first time you had panna cotta during your travels in Italy. Thank you for your lovely compliment and wish.
What a wonderful way to honor those fantastic Luxardo Maraschino Cherries. We always have the cherries on our Julegrot (sweet rice and cream pudding). Humm, in a Manhatten, brilliant I say.
Ron, having those cherries on your Julegrot must be absolutely delicious. Thank you as always for your nice compliment.
I absolutely love Luxardo cherries! I actually heard the other day that Trader Joe’s stocks them as a holiday item – just FYI. I also love panna cotta, but I’ve never actually made it here at home. I’m thinking I should try that now. This would be a gorgeous dessert to serve for Christmas or even New Year’s!
David, once you try making panna cotta at home there will be no stopping you with all the variations you can make. I think serving this particular one during this holiday season would be perfect. Oh I wish we had a Trader Joe’s by us, the closest one is 2 hours away.
Ohh I have a jar of these cherries (as currently not making any cocktails with them!) so this would be perfect – thank you, Karen!
It sounds like I’ve given you a good idea of what to do with some of your Luxardo cherries Ksenia. Enjoy!
Oh my goodness, that looks amazing! I have everything but the cherries, but it’s on my list now!
Hi Jan, I’m glad you have almost everything you need to make the panna cotta. The cherries will be the “icing on the cake” so to speak. Enjoy!
Beautiful photo! Yes, these cherries are the best. (Although I still like the weirdly red ones on ice cream and in some retro cocktails.)
Thank you Debra for your nice compliment about the photo, it is much appreciated.
This is such a lovely presentation and I’m sure quite delicious, too! Happy Holidays, Karen!
Thank you Amy for both your nice compliment as well as your wish.
That looks so luscious, Karen! A showstopper for a holiday table.
Thank you Susan for your lovely compliment. I agree about the panna cotta being a nice dessert to end a holiday meal.
Ooo, panna cotta is a perfect holiday dessert after a giant meal. May make my Christmas Eve this year…
Thank you Inger, I agree with you about the lightness of panna cotta. It does make the perfect ending to a big meal.
My husband is a panna cotta fanatic! He would absolutely love this one!!! And so would I. 🙂 Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season!
Your husband sounds like mine MJ, he loves panna cotta. Thank you for your nice compliment and wish, it is much appreciated.
This looks silky and luxurious! There are many desserts that are delicious but I can’t eat a large portion at one sitting. I would want devour the entire batch of this panna cotta!
Thao, this sounds like the perfect little dessert for you…especially if you make it in the little plastic bathroom cups. Everyone would get a small but delicious portion.
Looks amazing, I love panna cotta. Happy holidays!
Amalia
xo
Thank you so much Amalia for your wish and compliment on the panna cotta.
I just love the inclusion of the maraschino cherries! Hubby’s fathers makes an amazing panna cotta 🙂
Thank you for your nice compliment Julie and yes, the cherries really make the dessert. I do know that Mr. Bonner is a very talented cook so I can imagine that he makes a wonderful panna cotta. ☺️
I was a little surprised when I read the title but in reading on, I was happy to see the imported cherries, they are gorgeous! And speaking of gorgeous, that dessert is spectacular! A perfect ending for any holiday meal!
Sorry I’ve bee AWOL but we just returned from a month-plus in Arizona! We had three sets of friends join us for 5-6 days each! It was definitely whirlwind but super fun! Now I need a vacation! Merry Christmas, hope you have a wonderful new year that’s filled with good health and much happiness!
I know what you mean about needing a vacation after a vacation Eva. I appreciate your nice wish and compliment about the panna cotta…and yes, the cherry topping are the imported Italian ones.
I’ve had these cherries before in drinks and they are wonderful! Never thought about buying them for home use, but may have to now 🙂 Hope you and the family had a wonderful Christmas and have a very Happy New Year!
Hi Karrie, Thank you for your nice wish and comment. Yes, the cherries are delicious.