Printable Recipe: Panna Cotta Recipe for a Gelatin Brain Mold

Panna Cotta Recipe for a Gelatin Brain Mold

Brain molds are a lot of fun, and Jello brains have become a Halloween party food classic. But outside of the year 1958, nobody really gets excited about eating stiff, shaped Jello... even if it is in the shape of a brain. So we've got an updated version here. While I don't think you can ever call a gelatin brain "elegant," this is definitely a tastier, more elegant version of the original. But since this is a relatively easy Halloween party food to make, you can make it both for a nice Halloween dinner party or a casual Halloween party.

Now, if you've never tried Italian panna cotta, you're missing out. Sort of like an ultra-creamy Italian version flan, it's a heck of a lot better than any gelatin brain recipe you've tried in the past, I promise. This recipe is based on one by Alton Brown (but with some changes to make it easier), and is good for a 6-cup capacity gelatin brain mold.

The whiskey is optional, but there's not much of it so I wouldn't suggest leaving it out-- it tastes wonderful in this. But if you really want to make this Halloween party food kid-friendly, it's also good whiskey-free.

Ingredients:
3 (12 oz.) cans evaporated milk, divided
4 (1/4 oz.) pkgs. unflavored powdered gelatin
1 1/2 C. whipping cream
1 C. sugar
2 tbsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. salt
2 oz. whiskey
Black paste food coloring, as needed

For Cranberry "Gore" Glaze:
8 oz. cranberry juice
2 tbsp. cornstarch

Instructions: 1. In a medium heat-safe mixing bowl, stir together 4 envelopes of gelatin and one can of evaporated milk. (This mixture needs to sit at least five minutes.)

2. Pour remaining evaporated milk and whipping cream into a heavy sauce pan. Slowly bring to a boil.

3. Add sugar, salt, and whiskey to boiling milk mixture. Stir til dissolved.

4. Remove from heat and pour boiling milk mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into the gelatin-evaporated milk mixture.

5. Stir in vanilla extract. Add a touch of black paste food coloring for a realistic "grey matter" color.

6. Following the manufacturer's directions for your gelatin brain mold, pour mixture into your brain mold and refrigerate overnight.

7. Top with cranberry "gore" glaze just before serving.

Instructions for Cranberry Glaze: 1. In a small, heavy saucepan, combine cranberry juice and cornstarch.

2. Bring gently to a boil. Boil, stirring, until thickened.

3. Remove from heat and allow to come to room temperature. Stir with a wire wisk.

4. Spoon over set, unmolded brain.

5. Mixture will get slightly lumpy and strange-looking upon cooling-- this is just what you want and makes the final product look that much more gory.