Vegan Panna Cotta with Black Sugar Syrup

A silky dome of vanilla-specked vegan panna cotta draped with glossy black sugar syrup, artfully served on a slate plate.

Creamy, silky, and deeply satisfying—this vegan panna cotta proves you don't need dairy to make an unforgettable dessert. If you've struggled to find vegan dessert recipes that deliver on texture and taste, this will be your new go-to favorite!

Course Dessert

Cuisine Best, Japanese

Level Beginner

Diet Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Low-Fat, Pescatarian, Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time 2

Cook Time 5

Chilling Time 2

Total Time 2 7

Servings serving

Calories 70kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

for panna cotta

2 cups unsweetened soy milk
2 grams agar agar (* see note)
2 tablespoons evaporated cane sugar
1 vanilla bean

for black syrup

25 grams kokutou (any dark sugar, like muscavado)
25 grams evaporated cane sugar
1 tablespoon water

Grams + US Cups - US Standard

Instructions

Add 2 cups unsweetened soy milk, 2 grams agar agar, and 2 tablespoons evaporated cane sugar to a pot. Split 1 vanilla bean and scrape out the seeds, putting the seeds and the pod in the pot.
2 cups unsweetened soy milk, 2 grams agar agar, 2 tablespoons evaporated cane sugar, 1 vanilla bean
Heat over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until the mixture comes to a rolling boil (this will take 3-4 minutes).
Divide the soy milk mixture into small ramekins or bowls, passing it through a tea strainer to remove any chunks of vanilla or coagulated soy proteins. Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
To make the black sugar syrup, add 25 grams kokutou, 25 grams evaporated cane sugar, and 1 tablespoon water into a small pot over medium heat. Cook until the mixture comes to a boil and the sugar has dissolved. If your sugar is not in powder form (i.e., it comes in chunks), you'll need to use more water and give it time to dissolve. Then you can boil it down to reduce it into a thick syrup. Let the syrup cool.
25 grams kokutou, 25 grams evaporated cane sugar, 1 tablespoon water
To serve, you can either pour the syrup straight into the ramekins or unmold the dairy-free panna cotta first and then drizzle the sauce on top. Garnish with fresh berries (like blackberries or strawberries) for a pop of color.

Notes

Please read the ingredients on your agar agar powder (it should only include agar agar). Some brands mix sugar and other ingredients into their powder which will make it set differently.

Nutrition