This Lavender Panna Cotta is a sophisticated and creamy dessert that is as silky and smooth as it is easy to make. It’s a show-stopping three-layer dessert that looks fancy but is absolutely delicious.
Why This Recipe Stands Out
Panna cotta is a classic Italian dessert that's as easy to make as it is delicious. Our triple-layer version takes this dessert to a whole new level. Here's why we love it:
- Multi-Layer Treat: This panna cotta isn't just one flavor. It's a delicate layer of blueberry, topped with a smooth, rich chocolate, and then the floral, lavender layer.
- Perfect for Entertaining: The layers of this panna cotta not only look beautiful, but they also add a variety of flavors and textures to the dessert, making it the perfect choice for a special occasion.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare this dessert a day in advance, which makes it a stress-free option for any dinner party.
- Easy to Eat: The individual portions are easy to serve, and the flavors are perfectly balanced.
- Creamy Texture: The panna cotta has the perfect creamy texture that melts in your with every bite.
Key Ingredients
- Heavy Cream – The base of our panna cotta, the heavy cream gives it a rich and creamy texture.
- Gelatin Powder – This is what gives the panna cotta its signature wobble. It helps the dessert set and hold its shape.
- Lavender Flowers – We infuse the cream with lavender flowers to give it a delicate, floral flavor that pairs beautifully with the other layers.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – This is used to flavor one of the layers with a rich chocolatey goodness.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are some tasty substitutions and variations you can try:
- Different Jello: The blueberry layer adds a burst of fruity freshness to the dessert. Feel free to substitute the blueberries with your favorite fruit. Raspberry, blackberry, or a mix of berries would work beautifully.
- Vegan Panna Cotta: To make this panna cotta recipe vegan, replace the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and the gelatin with agar-agar. You can also sweeten the panna cotta with agave syrup or maple syrup instead of sugar.
- Different Sweeteners: If you're looking to cut down on sugar, you can replace the sugar with your favorite sweetener substitutes like stevia or erythritol.
How to Make Lavender Panna Cotta
Step 1: For lavender layer, dissolve gelatin in water and heat cream, sugar, vanilla, and lavender. Strain and add gelatin. Let it cool slightly and pour into glasses at an angle. Prop glasses and chill for 2 hours.
Step 2: For chocolate layer, dissolve gelatin in water and heat cream, sugar, and cocoa. Add gelatin and let it cool slightly. Pour into glasses at the opposite angle from the lavender layer. Prop glasses and chill for 2 hours.
Step 3: For blueberry jello layer, simmer water and blueberries. Strain the mixture and add gelatin. Add honey and let it cool slightly. Pour into glasses at the opposite angle from the chocolate layer. Prop glasses and chill for 1 hour.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend using unflavored gelatin powder for this lavender panna cotta recipe. You can easily find it in the baking aisle of most grocery stores.
Yes, you can use dried lavender flowers if fresh ones are not available. However, make sure they are food-grade and haven't been treated with any chemicals. You can usually find them at specialty food stores or online.
To achieve the layered look, you'll need to pour each layer into the glasses at an angle. After pouring each layer, you'll need to chill the glasses in the fridge while maintaining the angle. You can prop the glasses with anything that will keep them stable, such as a muffin tin or a small towel.
Lavender panna cotta can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure to cover the glasses with plastic wrap or a lid to prevent any odors from the refrigerator affecting the panna cotta.
Recipe
Lavender Chocolate Panna Cotta With Blueberry Jello
Ingredients
Lavender layer
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 envelope gelatin powder
- 100 grams ½ cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons cold water
- 1 tablespoons lavender flowers
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Chocolate layer
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 envelope gelatin powder
- 100 grams ½ cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons cold water
- 2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
Blueberry jello layer
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon gelatin powder
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
To make a lavender layer.
- Dissolve gelatin in 3 tablespoons of cold water. Let sit for about 5 minutes.
- In a small sauce pan, heat heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract and lavender flowers just until simmers. Take off the heat and strain the mixture through a sieve.
- Add gelatin and stir until gelatin is completely dissolved.
- Let the mixture cool slightly.
- Divide equally into 5 glasses pouring the mixture at an angle until almost to the edge of each glass and very carefully place the glass in a fridge maintaining the angle. Prop your glasses with anything that will keep them stable. Chill for 2 hours in a refrigerator or until set.
To make chocolate layer.
- Dissolve gelatin in 3 tablespoons of cold water. Let sit for about 5 minutes.
- In a small sauce pan, heat heavy cream, sugar and cocoa powder just until simmers. Take off the heat, add gelatin and stir until gelatin is completely dissolved.
- Let the mixture cool slightly.
- Divide equally into 5 glasses and pour the mixture into each glass at the opposite angle from lavender layer until almost to the edge of each glass.
- Very carefully place the glass in a fridge maintaining the angle. Prop your glasses with anything that will keep them stable. Chill for 2 hours in a refrigerator or until set.
To make a blueberry jello layer.
- In a small sauce pan and over medium low heat, combine water and blueberries and simmer until blueberries are soft.
- Strain the mixture through a wire mesh.
- Add gelatin and stir until completely dissolved.
- Add honey and let the mixture cool slightly.
- Divide equally into 5 glasses and pour the mixture into each glass at the opposite from chocolate layer angle until almost to the edge of each glass. Carefully place the glass in a fridge maintaining the angle. Prop your glasses with anything that will keep them stable. Chill for 1 hour in a refrigerator or until set.
Notes
Nutrition
More Recipes You'll Enjoy
- Apricot Panna Cotta - This mouthwatering Apricot Panna Cotta has a silky smooth texture and some unexpected flavor.
- Vegan Raspberry Panna Cotta - This 15-minute easy vegan Raspberry Panna Cotta is creamy, rich and literally foolproof. With no gelatin, it is so easy, you can make it every day.
- Vegan Panforte - This easy Vegan Panforte is a festive and delicious Christmas recipe that you can make ahead of time and then serve for Christmas dessert or at cookie exchange.
- Almond Flour Cookies - These Vegan Almond Flour Cookies are an absolute delight! What’s best is that these gluten-free cookies are made using just 5 ingredients.
Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.
Nina Kulish says
It looks just amazing, like in a fashionable restaurant! I love panna cottas, but with a lavender flavor have never tried. That's interesting, I should make it.
Petro says
Wonderful!
Mary Freier says
I have not made this yet, but I plan to for the holidays. That said, what is the gold lace that tops each panne cotta?
Iryna Bychkiv says
It's a spun sugar. It's easy to make, there are a few videos on Youtube like this one on how you can achieve this.
Karen Cooper says
Made these desserts today. They are delicious. Only problem we had was putting the gelatin directly in the blueberries. It clumped up in the juice. We strained it and softened the gelatin in water before adding to the gelatin. That worked much better. This is so glamorous.
Iryna says
Karen, thank you so much for your comment and a 5-star rating! I'm very happy you liked this recipe.
Anita says
What did you use to prop the martini glasses in your fridge?
Iryna says
Hi Anita! I rolled 2 kitchen towels into the logs, placed the glasses on one log and propped with the second log from the other side. You can also use paper towels or even a piece of fruit in between the glasses to make sure they are sturdy. And I just made sure not to put anything on that shelf while dessert was setting in.
Colton Webb says
Do you happen to know what size (in ounces) the glasses you used are?
Iryna says
Sure! They were 9 ounces glasses.
Sandra Garth says
Absolutely stunning! This is a showstopper dessert if I ever seen one. Years ago I tried my hand at Panna Cotta and it didn't turn out well. After seeing this beauty I'm ready to try again. Thank you so much for the inspiration!
Iryna says
Thank you so much Sandra!
Julianna says
So very gorgeous! I love the layers of flavour and how you styled the glasses! 😀
Iryna says
thank you Julianna!
chelsea jacobs says
Ooh, it's so pretty!