Espresso Con Panna – Espresso Whipped Cream

A glass of espresso and whipped cream

Espresso Con Panna stands out as one of my favorite espresso variations, alongside the classic Affogato drink. It’s a drink that proves sometimes the simplest combinations yield the most satisfying results.

Espresso Con Panna recipe

Espresso con Panna is a classic Italian coffee. Its name means “espresso with cream”. This drink consists of a shot of espresso topped with a dollop of whipped cream, creating a a rich and indulgent experience.

A glass of Double Espresso Con Panna with whipped cream
Homemade espresso and cream drink

What I love about Espresso Con Panna is its simplicity: espresso and whipped cream. The cold, unsweetened whipped cream slowly melts into the hot espresso. This creats a luxurious drinking experience with a perfect balance of bitter and creamy notes.

Here’s how to make a traditional Espresso Con Panna:

A glass of espresso and whipped cream

Espresso Con Panna – Espresso With Cream

A classic Italian coffee drink that pairs rich espresso with a dollop of lightly whipped cream. A perfect balance of bitter and creamy notes.
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Total Time 7 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine Italian, Mediterranean
Servings 1
Calories 50 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tsp instant espresso powder e.g., Cafe Bustelo or Nescafe
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 2 tbsp whipped cream
  • Sugar to taste Optional

Instructions
 

  • In a cup, add 2 teaspoons of instant espresso powder. Pour hot water over the espresso powder and stir until it's completely dissolved.
  • If you like your coffee on the sweeter side, you can add sugar to taste. Stir well to ensure it dissolves.
  • Gently spoon 2 tablespoons of whipped cream on top of the espresso. You can use ready-made whipped cream or make your own.
  • Your Espresso Con Panna is ready! Serve and enjoy.

Nutrition

Calories: 50kcal
Keyword coffee, drinks, homemade
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How to pair

You can pair this Espresso Con Panna with these dishes:

1. Dessert Pairings

  • Tiramisu: The creamy mascarpone and coffee flavors in tiramisu pair elegantly with espresso con panna for a classic Italian match.
  • Chocolate Desserts enhance the espresso’s chocolate notes, making for a deeply indulgent pairing.
  • Panna Cotta: coffee or vanilla flavor
  • Biscotti (especially almond or chocolate varieties)
  • Butter cookies or shortbread
  • Fresh croissants
  • Italian amaretti cookies

2. Savory Pairings

  • Cheese Plates:
    • Goat cheese or mascarpone
    • Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • Breakfast Dishes:
    • French toast or pancakes
    • Plain scones

3. Tips to Pair

The key is to choose foods that:

  • Won’t overwhelm the espresso’s flavor
  • Complement the contrast between the bitter coffee and sweet cream
  • Have a texture that works well with the smooth whipped cream

It’s best to avoid:

  • Very spicy foods
  • Heavy, greasy dishes
  • Strongly flavored pastries
  • Citrus-based desserts

Variations

Besides the classic recipe, you can try other versions:

1. Iced Espresso Con Panna: incorporates ice cubes along with the espresso and whipped cream for a refreshing twist.

2. Flavored Variants:

3. Coffee con Panna: Replace espresso with strong brewed coffee. This version typically uses a Moka pot or a strong drip-brew.

4. Double Con Panna

  • More intense coffee flavor
  • Uses a double shot of espresso
  • Same amount of whipped cream

5. Con Panna Macchiato

  • Espresso with a spot of steamed milk
  • Topped with whipped cream
  • Create three distinct layers

6. Viennese Coffee (Franzikaner): In Vienna, a similar drink known as Franzikaner combines coffee, milk, and whipped cream in equal parts. 

7. Triple Cream Con Panna

  • Single espresso shot
  • Extra generous portion of whipped cream
  • Layered with different cream textures

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