This apple panna cotta is a seasonal take on the traditional creamy Italian dessert, the subtle apple and cinnamon adding to an already delicious easy treat.

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Somehow or another, it is November already and it now feels like I can genuinely start thinking towards the holiday season a bit. I'm afraid any shop that has decorations etc before now (which is an increasing number) starts to be avoided by me as I can't and don't want to think that far ahead.

November, though, seems just about acceptable, especially if you are thinking about food since Thanksgiving comes into the extended holiday season at the end of the month. That's why this Sunday all involved in Sunday Supper have been putting on their thinking caps to create some easy holiday entertaining ideas (see links below), and I am bringing this delicious apple panna cotta recipe to the party.

A seasonal take on panna cotta

Panna cotta is an incredibly easy dessert to make. It's also made ahead and chilled so is great for entertaining as there is no work at the time (unless you want to take them out of the dishes, but that's still not much effort).

Here I have made a seasonal version using apple and a little cinnamon, sweetened with maple syrup rather than sugar, that creates a deliciously impressive dessert, that no one needs to know took you less than 10 minutes to make. Yes I did say less than 10 minutes, it's that quick and easy.

To be honest, this was the first panna cotta I made. I'm not quite sure how I had never got round to it before, as it is always a dessert I am drawn to if I see it on the menu when we are out. I guess as with a few things, I somehow thought it was a bit more complicated to make than it really is.

Having made it, though, it's a dessert I have turned to again and again with a number of variations over the years as it's both delicious and easy - coffee panna cotta and mango panna cotta were instant favorites. Plus this apple version was so tasty, I am already craving it again so need to get it back on the menu. The apple and cinnamon flavors are subtle but delicious, adding to the beautifully smooth creaminess of the base panna cotta.

How to make apple panna cotta

As I say, panna cotta is really quick and easy to make, and the apple, cinnamon and maple added in here while subtle, give a deliciously tasty twist to the lovely creaminess that's also fairly healthy (OK aside from the cream in there).

Put milk in a small pan, add the gelatin and leave to "bloom".
Warm the milk to dissolve the gelatin.
Remove from heat and add maple syrup, cream, applesauce, vanilla and cinnamon.
Pour into greased ramekins and chill until set.

I have topped it with a little caramel which goes really well with it and I would certainly recommend the tiny bit extra effort in putting it on. As after all, the rest is so easy, you may as well make it look properly impressive for another couple of minutes effort, right? The only thing is it's still quicker to eat than it is to make, but you can't win them all. Just make lots and enjoy it again soon - it will keep a couple days in the fridge, if you let it.

Try these other no bake desserts:

Lime mascarpone cheesecake shooters
Crema Catalana
No bake chocolate custard with ginger
Berry phyllo cups with lemon cheesecake cream
Plus get more dessert recipes in the archives.

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5 from 2 votes