Description
Panna Cotta is a classic Italian dessert known for its smooth, creamy texture and delicate flavor. Made with cream, milk, sugar, and gelatin, it creates a velvety pudding-like consistency. Often paired with fruit compote or fresh berries, this no-bake dessert is elegant and easy to prepare ahead of time.
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (or seeds from 1 vanilla bean)
- 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin powder
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 cup fresh mixed berries (such as strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for compote)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (for compote)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (for compote)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the water and let it bloom for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, combine heavy cream, milk, and sugar, heating over medium until hot but not boiling. If using vanilla bean, add the seeds and pod to the cream mixture. Remove from heat.
- Stir in the bloomed gelatin and vanilla extract (if using extract) into the cream mixture, mixing until completely dissolved. Let it cool for a few minutes before pouring into serving glasses or molds. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours to set.
- For the berry compote: In a small saucepan, cook the berries, sugar, lemon juice, and zest over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until the berries soften. Let the compote cool to room temperature before serving.
- Once the panna cotta is set, spoon the berry compote over each serving, or garnish with fresh berries and mint leaves. Serve chilled.
Notes
- To make it dairy-free, substitute coconut milk or almond milk for the cream and milk.
- For a chocolate twist, melt 2 oz of dark chocolate and stir it into the cream mixture before setting.
- For a coffee-flavored panna cotta, add 1-2 tablespoons of instant coffee to the cream mixture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Chilling, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
