Description
Classic Panna Cotta is a silky-smooth Italian dessert made with cream, gelatin, and vanilla, topped with a fresh berry gel. This easy panna cotta recipe is perfect for dinner parties, holidays, or elegant homemade desserts. Learn how to make authentic panna cotta with simple ingredients and a stunning presentation.
Ingredients
7 g powdered Knox gelatin (or 4 gold gelatin sheets, 8.4 g)
45 mL water (if using powdered gelatin)
360 mL half and half or 3% milk
80 g honey (or ⅓ cup / 66 g sugar)
Generous pinch of sea salt
15 mL vanilla bean paste, vanilla extract, or vanilla seeds from 1 pod
360 mL heavy cream / whipping cream
200 g berries (raspberries and strawberries recommended)
40 g honey
8 mL lemon juice
Pinch of salt
2 g powdered gelatin (or 1 gold gelatin sheet)
Instructions
- Bloom the gelatin: For powdered gelatin, sprinkle over water, mix, and let absorb. For sheets, soak in cold water for 10 minutes, then squeeze out excess water before use.
- Make the panna cotta base: In a saucepan, combine half and half, honey, salt, and vanilla. Heat over medium until steaming but not boiling. Remove from heat, stir in bloomed gelatin until dissolved, then add heavy cream and stir well.
- Set the panna cotta: Pour mixture into 6 serving dishes (about ½ cup each). Stir before pouring to evenly distribute vanilla seeds. Cool slightly, cover, and refrigerate overnight to set.
- Make the berry fluid gel: Bloom gelatin as before. Cook berries, honey, lemon juice, and salt over medium heat for 10–15 minutes until thickened into a coulis. Stir in gelatin, chill until firm, then blend until smooth and gel-like.
- Serve: Top panna cotta with berry gel and fresh berries. To unmold, dip mold briefly in warm water, loosen edges, and invert onto a plate before serving with sauce.
Notes
- Panna cotta must chill overnight for the best texture.
- You can sweeten with sugar instead of honey.
- Agar-agar can be used as a vegetarian alternative to gelatin, though texture will differ.
- Best served in ramekins, glasses, or unmolded for presentation.
- Do not freeze as it affects the creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Chilled
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 150 g)
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
