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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    Panna Cotta

    Published: Dec 20, 2020 by Melissa Stadler · This post may contain affiliate links · 7 Comments

    442 shares
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    Panna Cotta. A silky smooth, creamy vanilla bean dessert made with cream, sugar, gelatin, and vanilla beans. An Italian favorite dessert! www.modernhoney.com #pannacotta #dessert #pannacottadessert

    Panna Cotta

    A silky smooth, creamy vanilla bean dessert made with cream, sugar, gelatin, and vanilla beans. An Italian favorite dessert!

    This is one of the most simple desserts you can make yet it is so stunning, elegant, and just looks fancy pants. You will knock the socks off of your guests when you pull out this gorgeous and delicious dessert!

    Panna Cotta. A silky smooth, creamy vanilla bean dessert made with cream, sugar, gelatin, and vanilla beans. An Italian favorite dessert! www.modernhoney.com #pannacotta #dessert #pannacottadessert

    What is Panna Cotta?

    Panna cotta is an Italian dessert made with sweetened cream and thickened with gelatin and placed into molds to chill and then inverted to serve. It originated in Italy and its name literally means “cooked cream."

    Panna Cotta. A silky smooth, creamy vanilla bean dessert made with cream, sugar, gelatin, and vanilla beans. An Italian favorite dessert! www.modernhoney.com #pannacotta #dessert #pannacottadessert

    What ingredients are in Panna Cotta?

    The ingredients needed to make panna cotta are so simple -- heavy cream, sugar, gelatin, and vanilla. That's it! The results are a perfectly creamy, silky smooth dessert that can be infused with so many flavors. 

    Panna Cotta. A silky smooth, creamy vanilla bean dessert made with cream, sugar, gelatin, and vanilla beans. An Italian favorite dessert! www.modernhoney.com #pannacotta #dessert #pannacottadessert

    I love to make this dessert and then top it with all different types of fruits. Here are some vanilla panna cotta topping ideas:

    Passionfruit Panna Cotta -- vanilla bean panna cotta with a passion fruit sauce and white chocolate curls
    Berry Panna Cotta -- vanilla panna cotta with a berry coulis and fresh berries
    Tropical Panna Cotta -- coconut-infused panna cotta topped with a mango coulis and fresh mangoes and coconut flakes
    Sea Salt Caramel Panna Cotta -- vanilla panna cotta drizzled with a homemade salted caramel sauce and sprinkled with sea salt flakes 

    Panna Cotta. A silky smooth, creamy vanilla bean dessert made with cream, sugar, gelatin, and vanilla beans. An Italian favorite dessert! www.modernhoney.com #pannacotta #dessert #pannacottadessert

    How to make Panna Cotta?

    1. Start by sprinkling gelatin into a bowl with water and let stand for 1 minute to soften. If you want to ensure the gelatin is completely dissolved, place in a saucepan and heat over low heat until gelatin is dissolved.
    2. In a large saucepan, bring heavy cream and sugar to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it begins to boil, remove from heat and stir in gelatin mixture and vanilla. I love to use vanilla beans, vanilla bean paste, or pure vanilla extract. I find that since there aren't many ingredients in this panna cotta recipe, this is the time when vanilla beans or vanilla bean paste really shines.
    3. Divide the cream mixture into four ½ cup ramekins. Let the mixture come to room temperature before putting in the refrigerator.
    4. Cover and let chill for at least 4 hours to allow time to set-up.
    5. To serve and invert on a plate, dip ramekins into a bowl of hot water for several seconds. Run a knife along the edge of each ramekin and invert onto the center of a serving plate.
    6. Top with your favorite fresh fruits or sauce.

    Panna Cotta. A silky smooth, creamy vanilla bean dessert made with cream, sugar, gelatin, and vanilla beans. An Italian favorite dessert! www.modernhoney.com #pannacotta #dessert #pannacottadessert

    Panna Cotta. A silky smooth, creamy vanilla bean dessert made with cream, sugar, gelatin, and vanilla beans. An Italian favorite dessert! www.modernhoney.com #pannacotta #dessert #pannacottadessert

    Panna Cotta

    Modern Honey - www.modernhoney.com
    Panna Cotta. A silky smooth, creamy vanilla bean dessert made with cream, sugar, gelatin, and vanilla beans. An Italian favorite dessert!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    4 hours hrs
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Italian

    Equipment

    • ramekins
    • measuring cups and spoons
    • whisk
    • spatula set

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ Tablespoon Cold Water
    • 2 teaspoons Unflavored Gelatin
    • 2 cups Heavy Cream
    • ¼ cup Sugar
    • 2 teaspoons Vanilla Bean Paste (or extract)

    Instructions
     

    • Start by sprinkling gelatin into a bowl with water and let stand for 1 minute to soften. If you want to ensure the gelatin is completely dissolved, place in a saucepan and heat over low heat until gelatin is dissolved.
    • In a large saucepan, bring heavy cream and sugar to a boil over medium-high heat. Whisk often. Once it begins to boil, remove from heat and whisk in gelatin mixture and vanilla. I love to use vanilla beans, vanilla bean paste, or pure vanilla extract.
    • Divide the cream mixture into four ½ cup ramekins. Let the mixture come to room temperature before putting in the refrigerator.
    • Cover and let chill for at least 4 hours to allow time to set-up.To serve and invert on a plate, dip ramekins into a bowl of hot water for several seconds. Run a knife along the edge of each ramekin and invert onto the center of a serving plate.
    • Top with your favorite fresh fruits or sauce.
    Keyword panna cotta, vanilla bean panna cotta, vanilla panna cotta
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Panna Cotta. A silky smooth, creamy vanilla bean dessert made with cream, sugar, gelatin, and vanilla beans. An Italian favorite dessert! www.modernhoney.com #pannacotta #dessert #pannacottadessert

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tera

      May 04, 2022 at 4:11 pm

      5 stars
      Love how many toppings you can put on this recipe. It tastes amazing with fresh raspberries. Love this one!

      Reply
    2. Kathryn L.

      January 27, 2021 at 1:22 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Melissa!
      I love this recipe! Any idea if I could also make this a chocolate Panna Cotta by adding cocoa powder? Asking for a (chocoholic) friend. ; )

      Reply
    3. Teresa Darrow

      January 20, 2021 at 6:39 pm

      I'd like to know the toppings you use on the panna cotta pictured...

      Thank you...

      Reply
      • Kathryn L.

        February 08, 2021 at 5:54 pm

        Teresa. I'm betting the topping is shaved white chocolate curls. I do it all the time. Get a bar of good white chocolate, chill it and use a vegetable peeler to "shave" the chocolate. Best to shave along the thin 4 edges of the bar for thin curls.

        Reply
        • Teresa Darrow

          February 09, 2021 at 1:50 pm

          Thank you Kathryn - I just saw this:

          Passionfruit Panna Cotta — vanilla bean panna cotta with a passion fruit sauce and white chocolate curls

          You were right!

          Reply
          • Kathryn Lippincott

            May 06, 2021 at 9:46 pm

            5 stars
            Good to know Teresa! It's one of those "oh so simple" things you can do that are so easy but give a finished dessert that "wow" factor. I've even used a wide cheese plane to make extra large chocolate curls. I always chill the chocolate first, stays firmer and no melting. Happy Baking!

            Reply
    4. Rubirosa Guzman

      January 19, 2021 at 12:34 am

      Thank you chef hope more recipies to come for cookies and pastries,

      Reply

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    Melissa Stadler Modern Honey

    Hi, I'm Melissa Stadler! I am an Award-Winning Recipe Creator. Cover of Food Network Magazine. Two-Time Pillsbury Bake-Off Finalist. I am passionate about sharing the best recipes so you have success in the kitchen!

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