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Calling all matcha lovers! Introducing Vegan Matcha Panna Cotta!
Matcha meets white chocolate and vanilla in this silky smooth and creamy flan! It’s fresh, naturally sweetened, and very easy to make. Let’s do it!
HOW TO MAKE MATCHA FLAN
Making this matcha dessert is easy and requires just 20 minutes and 8 ingredients!
We start by dissolving matcha powder in a couple of tablespoons of water. You can use a matcha whisk or a milk frother for this step.
Obviously, the higher the quality of your matcha, the better the flavor. Here, I used ceremonial grade matcha, bringing a brighter green color and almost no bitterness, as opposed to cooking grade matcha.
Next, combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan and whisk to dissolve.
We are using:
- Almond milk: I recommend going with the unsweetened kind. You can definitely use your favorite plant-based milk here: cashew milk, soy milk, or even oat milk will work.
- Maple syrup: To naturally sweeten the flans. Avoid using coconut sugar; it would overpower the matcha flavor and give the flan a darker color.
- Cacao butter: It adds a subtle white chocolate flavor that goes very well with the matcha! Plus, it gives the flan a richer mouthfeel.
- Coconut cream: For texture and to add richness. If you are not a fan of coconut, do not worry, you can’t really taste it.
- Vanilla extract: Combined with the cacao butter, it helps give that white chocolate flavor.
- Cornstarch and agar agar: Both help the flan set once chilled.
Heat over medium heat until it comes to a boil and slightly thickens. Next, transfer to ramekins and let cool completely!
The flans will be set after a few hours in the refrigerator. To serve, flip the flan over a plate, top with a dollop of coconut cream, some shaved chocolate, and a pinch of matcha powder!
Note: For this vegan matcha panna cotta recipe, I chose not to add any caramel. After testing, it seemed to add caramel, like in this Vegan Creme Caramel was overpowering the subtle matcha and white chocolate flavor. I think this flan shines better on its own. However, if you really want to serve it with caramel, feel free to do so! You can check the caramel recipe in my creme caramel recipe.
Looking for more fresh desserts? Check out this Vegan Île Flottante, Mango & Passion Fruit Flan, or these No-Bake Mini Key Lime Pies!
Let me know in the comments if you try this recipe!
Vegan Matcha Panna Cotta
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 3 tbsp melted cacao butter
- 2 tsp matcha powder diluted in 2 tbsp warm water
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 3/4 tsp agar agar powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup coconut cream
Instructions
- To a saucepan, add the almond milk, maple syrup, melted cacao butter, diluted matcha, cornstarch, agar agar powder, and vanilla extract. Whisk to dissolve the cornstarch and agar.
- Add the coconut cream. Heat over medium heat and bring to a boil, whisking constantly until the mixture slightly thickens.
- Transfer to 4 ramekins (or 3 larger ones) and let cool at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before transferring to the refrigerator. Refrigerate for another 4 hours or until set.
- Run a knife around each flan and flip over a plate. Garnish with a dollop of coconut cream and shaved chocolate. Serve chilled!
- Matcha white chocolate flans will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Video
Nutrition
About the Author
Thomas Pagot is the founder, photographer, and recipe developer behind Full of Plants. He created the blog in 2016 as a personal cookbook for vegan recipes. Through years of recipe development, Thomas has successfully grown Full of Plants into a trusted resource for plant-based recipes.
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Looks amazingly delicious.
Soooo creative.
Thank you Thomas 🙂
Thanks Sara 😉
Hi Thomas! How do you recommend measuring out the cacao butter in solid form to yield the liquid needed for this recipe?
Hi Kaitlyn,
I usually grate it and add it to a very warm saucepan so it melts almost immediately and then measure. You will need to eyeball it, once melted, let cool the excess until solid and keep for another recipe.
Creamy, delicious, and easy recipe! Mine weren’t as elegant as yours, but I had fun making them! Thank you, Thomas!
Thanks for your feedback Scott!
Made it and loved it! Thanks for lovely greatwell thought out recipes!
Thanks for your feedback Brian 😉