Grapefruit season is in full swing; the latest fruit I sampled was at its prime, practically bursting with juicy sweetness! The tangy citrus flavors pair perfectly with coconut panna cotta in this healthy gelatin dessert.
For a middle of winter pick-me-up, fresh citrus fruit is an optimum choice. The scent of citrus may improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety. So save the rind and inhale deeply as you make this cheerful dessert!
Last year I noticed a recipe for Blood Orange Panna Cotta at Simple Bites that inspired me to try my own spin on this creamy dessert. I have also made red and white panna cotta parfaits, coconut panna cotta, and tricolor gelatin parfaits. I think it is accurate to say that gelatin desserts are making a comeback here.
This time I wanted to see how it would look to have one pastel layer of tangy grapefruit atop the coconut panna cotta. Thanks to this strikingly beautiful pomegranate panna cotta post, I also discovered how to tilt the serving glasses. The secret: use an egg carton! Aren’t the results pretty?
The array of pastel cups makes a lovely addition to the dessert table and would be an appealing selection for Valentine’s day, Easter, showers, and other special occasions.
Grapefruit Coconut Panna Cotta
Ingredients:
- 1 + 1/2 cup red or pink grapefruit juice
- scant 1/2 cup pineapple juice (for sweetness)
- 1 Tablespoon pomegranate juice (for color)
- 3 Tablespoons + 1 to 2 teaspoons raw honey or equivalent sweetener, divided
- 1 cup + 3 Tablespoons light coconut milk
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 packets unflavored gelatin
Directions:
- Into a medium non-reactive bowl, pour 1/2 cup grapefruit juice and sprinkle with 1 packet of gelatin powder. Let the gelatin soften for several minutes.
- In a medium sauce pan, stir together pineapple juice, pomegranate juice and 1 cup grapefruit juice. Bring to a boil, stir, and then reduce heat. Transfer the hot juice mixture to the bowl with the gelatin, add 1 to 2 teaspoons honey, and whisk together for several minute to dissolve gelatin thoroughly. Let cool to room temperature.
- Meanwhile, soften the other packet of gelatin by pouring it over 1/4 cup water in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, pour the coconut milk and almond milk and bring to a simmer. Stir in 3 Tablespoons honey until dissolved. Turn off heat and stir in moist gelatin until dissolved. Let the white mixture cool to room temperature.
- Fill glasses almost half-way with the white layer and place them at a tilted angle in an empty egg carton. Chill until almost set (1 to 2 hours). Add a layer of pink fruit sauce and chill again until set (1 to 2 hours). Wrap the top of each glass with plastic wrap after they are completely cool. Can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Serve the parfaits chilled, garnishing with additional fresh fruit, whipped coconut cream, and/or ribbons of grapefruit rind if desired.
I’m bringing this to Fiesta Friday, Savoring Saturdays,
and sharing at Allergy Free Wednesday and here as well.
Swirls and Spice 
Oh yum. Inspiring. Love grapefruit too with the coconut contrast.
I had the concept and ingredients picked out months ago, but finally got around to making them this month. 🙂
I’m crazy about panda cotta so this seems a wonderful variation.
Yes, if you like grapefruit and coconut, you will enjoy these!
I’ve only made Panna cotta a few times and always love it. You have inspired me to try this one I LOVE GRAPEFRUIT!
These should be right up your alley then! Enjoy! 🙂
Such beautiful colours! How gorgeous! 😀
Thanks! They turned out as lovely as I was hoping. The only thing I wish is that I was an expert photographer. But I have accepted my limitations for now. How they taste is what matters most to me. 🙂
You are just so talented! This looks uber tasty 🙂
Thanks, Angela! The bright flavour of the grapefruit was very timely too. I can always use a bit of cheering up in January.
These are very pretty! I love Panna Cotta. Looks great!
Thanks very much. They are fun to make.
These are gorgeous.
Thanks, Bethany!
Your photos are gorgeous! I definitely want to try this recipe, very creative!
Thanks so much! I think you’ll enjoy it. You can sweeten the grapefruit as much or as little as you like.
Looks absolutely gorgeous! 🙂
Merci beaucoup! Mid-winter is a time I when could do with some extra loveliness.
Panna Cotta’s are awesome and I totally love grapefruit so this really does sounds like a bit of me!
Thanks! It really is a nice balance of flavors.
I love a good panna cotta recipe. This looks perfect. 🙂
I hope you get to enjoy it some time. Thanks for stopping by again this weekend!
This really is a lovely dessert!! It looks like so much effort was put into it, but I love that it’s just a few simple steps to make.
Exactly. It just takes a bit of planning ahead to chill it, but otherwise the hands-on time is fairly minimal. 🙂
Interesting combination of flavors!
Thanks! I was glad that the colors and flavors worked out so well together.
Beautiful colors and I love the idea of the tangy citrus with the mellow panna cotta. – Kat
Thanks, Kat. It’s nice to have a little treat waiting in the refrigerator. 🙂
What an inspiring delicious recipe there! Loved your tip on tilting the glasses by putting them in egg carton..
Thanks for sharing with FF!!
Yes, these were fun and fairly easy to make with the egg cartons. Thanks for stopping by this weekend!
Pleasure is mine 😀
Wonderful presentation! The grapefruit-combination sounds really yummy! Thanks for bring it to Fiesta Friday! 🙂
I love everything about this, and it looks absolutely delicious! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
These are so pretty, I love panna cotta, and grapefruit and coconut sounds like a delicious combination! Thanks for sharing at What’d You Do This Weekend?!
Wow these are beautiful and the colour is stunning.
Thank you, Eva! I was hoping they’d turn out to be a pretty pink, and they were, with a little help from the pomegranate juice. 🙂
This is such a smart and pretty dessert! Love how elegant it is with simple ingredients.