Panna Cotta
AI-generated image
Vegetarian Gluten-free Italian

Panna Cotta

A silky Italian cream dessert gently set with gelatin and scented with vanilla. Serve it chilled with bright berries for an elegant finish that can be prepared a day ahead.

28 min 4 servings Medium
All recipes

How to prepare

1
Measure 30 ml cold water into a small bowl. Sprinkle the 2 1/4 tsp gelatin evenly over the surface, avoiding dry pockets, and let it stand for 5 minutes until the granules absorb the water and form a soft, swollen sponge.
2
Pour 240 ml of the cream into a medium saucepan. Add the sugar, split vanilla bean and scraped seeds, and salt. Warm over medium heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves and the cream is steaming with tiny bubbles around the edge; do not boil, about 5 minutes.
3
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the bloomed gelatin until completely dissolved, then stir in the remaining 240 ml cream to cool the mixture slightly. Remove the vanilla bean.
4
Strain the cream through a fine-mesh sieve into a jug, then divide it evenly among four 180 ml ramekins or serving glasses. Leave about 1 cm of space at the top.
5
Cover the ramekins tightly and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight. Check one by nudging it gently: the panna cotta should hold its shape with a small, springy wobble rather than ripple like liquid.
Silky vanilla panna cotta served with fresh berries AI-generated image
6
To unmold, dip the outside of each ramekin in warm water for 5 to 8 seconds. Run a thin knife around the edge, invert onto a chilled plate, and serve immediately with fresh fruit.
Panna cotta being unmolded onto a serving plate AI-generated image

Why this recipe works

Gentle heating dissolves the sugar without boiling the dairy, while bloomed gelatin gives the cream a tender, softly quivering set. Vanilla and a small amount of salt sharpen the rich flavor, and tart fruit balances the sweetness.

Storage and reheating

How to store it

Cover the ramekins and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Keep the panna cotta chilled until serving and add fruit shortly before serving.

How to reheat it

Do not reheat. Panna cotta should be served cold; if it becomes too firm, let it stand at room temperature for 5 minutes before unmolding.

Nutrition / serving

490kcal
4.85 gprotein
22.27 gcarbs
43.20 gfat
P
Pantryvale editorial kitchen
Recipe prepared for publication with complete ingredients and ordered cooking steps.
Published 17 Aug 2026 · updated 17 Aug 2026