This Vanilla Panna Cotta is an easy yet incredibly delicious, perfectly light and creamy dessert that’s make-ahead friendly - perfect for entertaining.
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Why This Recipe Stands Out
We all love a good dessert, but what if we told you that we've got the perfect recipe for a light, creamy, and absolutely delicious Vanilla Panna Cotta? That's right! Here’s why we love this recipe:
- Light: This dessert is incredibly light and refreshing, making it the perfect ending to a delicious meal.
- Creamy: The combination of half and half and whole milk gives this Panna Cotta the most luxurious, creamy texture.
- Perfect Vanilla Flavor: We use a full teaspoon of vanilla extract to give this dessert the most amazing vanilla flavor.
- Right Level of Sweetness: The 4 tablespoons of sugar in this recipe provide just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the vanilla flavor.
- Easy to Make: This recipe is surprisingly easy and simple to make, but it looks and tastes like a fancy restaurant-style dessert.
Key Ingredients
- Half and Half, Whole Milk – The combination of half and half and whole milk gives our panna cotta its creamy and rich texture.
- Powdered Gelatin – This is the key ingredient that gives our panna cotta its signature wobble. Make sure to use powdered gelatin for the best results.
- Vanilla Extract – A good quality vanilla extract is essential for infusing our panna cotta with that classic vanilla flavor.
- Raspberry or Strawberry Jam – We love serving our panna cotta with a dollop of raspberry or strawberry jam. It adds a delicious fruity contrast to the creamy panna cotta.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are some of our favorite variations and substitutions:
- Different Flavors: Feel free to experiment with different extracts or flavorings. Almond extract, for example, can give the panna cotta a lovely nutty flavor.
- Coconut Milk: If you're dairy-free or just love the flavor of coconut, you can substitute the half and half and whole milk with 3 cups of full-fat coconut milk.
- Sweeteners: If you prefer, you can replace the sugar with honey or maple syrup. Just keep in mind that the flavor will change accordingly.
How to Make Vanilla Panna Cotta
Step 1: Mix gelatin with water and let stand.
Step 2: Heat half and half, milk, and sugar in a saucepan and stir until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract.
Step 3: Let the mixture cool slightly and then stir in the gelatin until it dissolves completely.
Step 4: Lightly oil the ramekins and pour the mixture into each one. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
Step 5: To serve, run a knife around the edges of the panna cotta and dip the ramekin in hot water. Invert onto a plate and serve with fresh fruit and jam.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
What to Serve with Vanilla Panna Cotta
Fresh Berries
- A simple vanilla panna cotta can be beautifully complement with a handful of fresh berries. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries all work well.
Berry Sauce
- A homemade berry sauce can take your panna cotta to the next level. Try making a quick raspberry or strawberry sauce and drizzle it over the top just before serving.
Citrus Compote
- The bright, fresh flavors of citrus can balance the richness of panna cotta. Try serving it with a citrus compote made from oranges, grapefruits, or mixed citrus.
Chocolate Shavings
- For a more decadent dessert, top your vanilla panna cotta with chocolate shavings or curls. The combination of creamy panna cotta and rich chocolate is simply irresistible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, panna cotta is a chilled dessert. It should be allowed to set in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until it becomes firm.
While you can use low-fat milk for this recipe, we recommend using whole milk for a richer and creamier panna cotta. The texture and flavor will be much better with whole milk.
To check if the panna cotta is set, gently shake the ramekin. If the center wobbly or it feels liquid, it needs more time to set. If it's firm and doesn't move, then it's ready.
Vanilla panna cotta can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just make sure to cover it with plastic wrap to prevent it from absorbing other odors.
Recipe
Vanilla Panna Cotta Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups half and half
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 3 teaspoons powdered gelatin
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5 tablespoons water
- 7 teaspoons raspberry or strawberry jam for serving
Instructions
- Dissolve powdered gelatin in 5 tablespoons of water. Let it stand for 10 minutes.
- Heat the half and half, milk and sugar in a medium saucepan. Stir the mixture occasionally until the sugar dissolves and remove from the heat. Don't boil.
- Add vanilla extract.
- Slightly cool the Panna Cotta mixture until just warm. Stir in the gelatin until it is completely dissolved.
- Lightly oil the ramekins with a neutral-tasting oil.
- Ladle about ½ cup of the Vanilla Panna Cotta mixture into each ramekin and chill them in a refrigerator until firm, at least 4 hours or overnight.
- To remove Panna Cotta from the ramekins, run a sharp knife around the edges of Panna Cotta. Dip each ramekin into a bowl with hot water for a couple of seconds and invert ramekin onto center of a small plate.
- Serve with fresh raspberries and a jam of your choice.
Equipment
- 7 ramekins
Notes
Nutrition
More Recipes You'll Enjoy
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- Lavender Chocolate Panna Cotta - Surprise yourself and your family with this fancy looking and absolutely scrumptious Lavender Chocolate Panna Cotta. Silky, smooth and easy to make dessert.
- 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.
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.
Petro says
Delishios
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
What a beautiful dessert for Valentine's Day! Pinned! 🙂
Iryna says
Thanks Michelle!
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Welcome to Yum Goggle! We are now following you on ALL your social media and hope you will follow us back. We will do our best to tag you each time we promote your posts. Kelli at YG.
Iryna says
Thank you so much Kelli! I followed you back!