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Panna cotta is a classic Italian creamy, silky, and luxurious dessert. This classic Italian recipe is a fantastic make-ahead dessert for dinner parties or an afternoon treat.
This is the best classic panna cotta recipe you can make at home! Serve after enjoying Best Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe.
What is Panna Cotta?
Panna cotta is a classic Italian dessert originating in the region of Piedmont in Italy. The name “panna cotta” translates to “cooked cream” in Italian, accurately describing the dessert.
Panna cotta is a versatile dessert that can be flavored in many different ways (see variations). It is also relatively simple to make, requiring only a few ingredients and minimal preparation time.
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
You will have a delicious dessert with a few basic ingredients in a little time!
Classic Vanilla Panna Cotta
- Heavy cream: Panna cotta is made with heavy cream or whipping cream, giving the dessert a rich and creamy texture.
- Sugar: Sugar is used to sweeten the cream and give the panna cotta its desired level of sweetness.
- Gelatin: is added to the cream mixture to thicken it and help it set into a firm texture.
- Vanilla extract (optional almond extract): Vanilla bean extract is added for flavor and to enhance the sweetness of the dessert.
Easy Berry Sauce
- Mixed Berries
- Water
- Lemon juice
- Cornstarch
See the recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Panna Cotta
You will be surprised at how easy it is to make this dessert! This easy panna cotta recipe comes together quickly and looks like a fancy restaurant-worthy dessert—an elegant way to impress your guests with this easy dessert recipe.
In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water in a single layer and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it dissolves and softens.
Heat the heavy cream and sugar over medium heat in a large saucepan, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves.
Add in the vanilla extract and stir to combine.
Once the cream mixture is steaming hot (but not boiling), remove it from the heat and add the softened gelatin mixture. Stir with a whisk until the gelatin dissolves completely- 2-3 minutes.
Divide the hot cream mixture evenly among 4-6 individual ramekins, wine glasses, or dessert cups (servings will vary depending on the size of the serving cups). Allow to cool at room temperature for about 20 minutes.
Cover tops with plastic wrap and let the panna cotta set in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Once the panna cotta has set, run a knife around the edges of the cups and turn them over onto a serving plate to unmold. You can also serve them directly in the cups.
Serve the panna cotta with your choice of toppings, such as fresh berries, berry sauce (recipe below), chocolate shavings, or caramel sauce.
How to make the berry sauce
Combine the berries, sugar, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Stir frequently and cook until the berries begin to break down, about 5-7 minutes.
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth.
Add the cornstarch mixture to the berry mixture and stir to combine.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes or until the sauce thickens
Remove the saucepan from heat and let the sauce cool to room temperature. To achieve a puree texture put the berry mixture in a blender and pulse until completely smooth.
Once cooled, spoon the berry sauce over the top of your panna cotta and serve.
Serve with extra berries and fresh mint if desired.
Recipe Variations
While the traditional Italian panna cotta recipe is delicious on its own, you can also experiment with different flavors and variations to create unique and exciting desserts. Here are a few flavor variations:
- Chocolate Panna Cotta: Add 1/2 cup of cocoa powder to the cream and sugar mixture and stir until fully combined. Follow the same recipe as above.
- Coffee Panna Cotta: Add 2 tbsp of instant coffee powder to the cream and sugar mixture and stir until fully combined. Follow the same recipe as above.
- Matcha Panna Cotta: Add 1 tbsp of matcha powder to the cream and sugar mixture and stir until fully combined. Follow the same recipe as above.
- Coconut Panna Cotta: Replace the heavy cream with coconut milk and add 1/2 cup of shredded coconut to the mixture. Follow the same recipe as above.
- Fruit-flavored Panna Cotta: Add your choice of pureed fruit (such as strawberry, raspberry, mango or passionfruit) to the cream and sugar mixture before heating. Follow the same recipe as above.
- Spiced Panna Cotta: Add spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg or cardamom to the cream and sugar mixture before heating to create a warm and fragrant dessert.
- Toppings: vary your toppings for the panna cotta. You can top it with a caramel sauce, raspberry sauce, fruit coulis, melted chocolate, or a variety of fresh fruit sauces. There are so many good options you can’t go wrong!
These are just a few ideas to get you started, but there are endless possibilities to this popular dessert. Experiment with different flavor combinations to create your own unique and delicious panna cotta recipe.
Equipment
Storage Instructions
To store Italian panna cotta, follow these simple steps:
- Cover the panna cotta: Once the panna cotta has set, cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This will help to keep it fresh and prevent it from absorbing any other flavors in the fridge.
- Refrigerate: Store the panna cotta in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Make sure to keep it in a tightly sealed container to prevent it from drying out or absorbing any unwanted flavors.
- Serve chilled: When ready to serve the panna cotta, remove it from the fridge and let it come to room temperature for about 5-10 minutes. Then, serve it chilled with your desired toppings or sauces.
- Do not freeze: I don’t recommend freezing panna cotta as the texture will change and become grainy.
It’s best to consume panna cotta within a few days of making it to ensure the best flavor and texture. You can enjoy this delicious Italian dessert whenever you like by storing it properly.
Top tips
Here are some top tips for making Italian panna cotta:
- Use quality ingredients: Since panna cotta has a simple flavor profile, it’s important to use high-quality ingredients to get the best flavor. Use fresh cream, good-quality vanilla extract, and high-quality gelatin.
- Don’t overheat the cream: When heating the cream, be careful not to let it come to a boil. This can cause the cream to curdle and result in a grainy texture.
- Use the right amount of gelatin: It’s important to use the right amount to ensure that the dessert sets properly. Too little gelatin can produce a runny texture, while too much gelatin can make the panna cotta rubbery.
- Let the panna cotta set properly: Once you’ve poured the mixture into the molds, let it set in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight. This will give the dessert enough time to set properly and have a smooth texture.
- Unmold the panna cotta properly: To unmold the panna cotta, run a knife around the edge of the mold to loosen it, then dip the mold in hot water for a few seconds. This will help the panna cotta release from the mold more easily.
- Serve the panna cotta chilled: Panna cotta is best served chilled, so keep it in the fridge until ready to serve.
FAQs
Whole milk can make panna cotta, resulting in a lighter and less creamy texture than heavy cream, but still delcious. You can also use most dairy-free milk alternatives!
Gelatin is a key ingredient in panna cotta as it helps it set into a firm texture. However, there are some vegetarian and vegan substitutes for gelatin, such as agar agar or carrageenan, that can be used.
Panna cotta can become grainy if the cream mixture is overheated or if too much gelatin is used. Be sure to follow the recipe instructions carefully and avoid overheating the cream.
Yes, honey or maple syrup can be used as a substitute for sugar, but they will give the panna cotta a different flavor and may affect the texture.
Yes, panna cotta can be flavored with various extracts, such as almond, coconut, or orange, or other ingredients like espresso or chocolate.
It’s important to use the right amount to ensure that the dessert sets properly; too little gelatin can produce a runny texture. It also needs at least 4 hours in the fridge to set properly.
Most likely, the gelatin didn’t bloom and dissolve properly when stirred into the cream, or the cream mixture boiled after the gelatin was added.
More Recipes
Looking for other recipes? Try these:
What to Serve with Italian Panna Cotta Recipe
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Panna Cotta Recipe
Ingredients
Panna Cotta
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon pure almond extract, optional
- 1 ¼ teaspoons unflavored gelatin
- ¼ cup cold water
Easy Berry Sauce
- 2 cups of mixed berries or only use one variety, such as strawberries and raspberries, or mixed frozen berries
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
Optional toppings:
Instructions
Panna Cotta
- In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water in a single layer and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the gelatin dissolves and softens.
- Heat the heavy cream and sugar over medium heat in a large saucepan, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Add in the vanilla extract and stir to combine.
- Once the cream mixture is steaming hot (but not boiling), remove it from the heat and add the softened gelatin mixture. Stir with a whisk until the gelatin dissolves completely- 2-3 minutes.
- Divide the hot cream mixture evenly among 4-6 individual ramekins, wine glasses, or dessert cups (servings will vary depending on the size of the serving cups). Allow to cool at room temperature for about 20 minutes. Cover tops with plastic wrap and let the panna cotta set in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Once the panna cotta has set, run a knife around the edges of the cups and turn them over onto a serving plate to unmold. You can also serve them directly in the cups.
- Serve the panna cotta with your choice of toppings, such as fresh berries, berry sauce (recipe below), chocolate shavings, or caramel sauce.
Easy Berry Sauce
- Combine the berries, sugar, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir frequently and cook until the berries begin to break down, about 5-7 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth.
- Add the cornstarch mixture to the berry mixture and stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and let the sauce cool to room temperature. To achieve a puree texture put the berry mixture in a blender and pulse until completely smooth.
- Once cooled, spoon the berry sauce over the top of your panna cotta and serve.
- This berry sauce is a delicious and simple way to add some fruity flavor and color to your panna cotta dessert.
- Enjoy your delicious and creamy classic Italian panna cotta!
Notes
- Use quality ingredients: Since panna cotta has a simple flavor profile, it’s important to use high-quality ingredients to get the best flavor. Use fresh cream, good quality vanilla extract, and high-quality gelatin.
- Don’t overheat the cream: When heating the cream, be careful not to let it come to a boil. This can cause the cream to curdle and result in a grainy texture.
- Use the right amount of gelatin: The amount of gelatin used in panna cotta can vary depending on the recipe, but it’s important to use the right amount to ensure that the dessert sets properly. Too little gelatin can result in a runny texture, while too much gelatin can make the panna cotta rubbery.
- Let the panna cotta set properly: Once you’ve poured the mixture into the molds, let it set in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight. This will give the dessert enough time to set properly and have a smooth texture.
- Unmold the panna cotta properly: To unmold the panna cotta, run a knife around the edge of the mold to loosen it, then dip the mold in hot water for a few seconds. This will help the panna cotta release from the mold more easily.
- Serve the panna cotta chilled: Panna cotta is best served chilled, so keep it in the fridge until ready to serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Thank you for the Panna Cotta recipe! It was FABULOUS! And so easy to make! That pop of almond flavoring made it! Be sure to allow a few hours for it to set up!😊
Yes! That almond really makes it. I hope you can make it time and time again. Enjoy.
Panna cotta is one of my favorite desserts & this is my go to recipe. Comes out great every time.
I had no idea it was so easy to make panna cotta! We’ve loved it so much–we’ve eaten two Sundays in a row. Thanks for a great recipe!
Yes, I feel like I’m cheating when I make it- that easy, but super versatile and beautiful! Happy you loved it.
This was excellent. Very easy to make. We made the berry sauce with blueberries and blackberries. My husband and son absolutely loved it and so did the dog and cat 😉. They would come running when we were enjoying it!
Happy the pets loved it too ;)!
Sweet, easy, and perfect for summer. We love this panna cotta!