Italian Panna Cotta Recipe | 10 Minute Cook Time! - Pina Bresciani (2024)

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Italian Panna Cotta, a delicious classic that's super easy to make. With just 5 ingredients and 10 minutes of your time, this is sure to be your new favorite Italian dessert recipe!

Panna Cotta, or "cooked cream", is a molded chilled dessert, well-known throughout Italy. Made of dairy that's thickened with gelatin and then sweetened, the end product is pudding-like with an elegant flavor. It can be topped with many things, like chocolate or a fruit coulis like this easy cherry sauce.

It's a refreshing no-bake dessert recipe to make during the summer, but it can be enjoyed at any time of the year.

Here are four reasons why you should make this Italian Panna Cotta recipe:

  • You can make it ahead. Whether you're in a time crunch or need a dessert to share at a party, panna cotta can be made up to 3 days in advance. Simply store it in the fridge until you're ready to serve.
  • It's quick. This recipe comes together with only about 10 minutes of hands-on time.
  • It's versatile. You can switch up the toppings you use for panna cotta depending on what's in season. From delicious sauces to fresh berries, the possibilities for toppings are endless.
  • It's delicious and light. The smooth, sweet flavors of panna cotta are so refreshing, making it the perfect summertime treat.

Let's learn how to make Italian Panna Cotta!

Ingredients you'll need

The best part about panna cotta is that it takes only 5 ingredients:

  • Whipping Cream: The base of panna cotta, has a naturally sweet flavor that really shines when combined with sugar and vanilla
  • Whole milk: The creamy liquid that allows panna cotta to set
  • Sugar: An extra hint of sweet for this delicious dessert
  • Vanilla extract: Adds simple, warm flavors to panna cotta
  • Gelatin: Used as a thickening agent

Traditional panna cotta is flavored simply with vanilla, but you can get creative by adding your own flavors and toppings.

How to make panna cotta: step by step

In a small bowl, dissolve the gelatin into the milk (photo 1) stir it around, and set aside.

In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, heat up the whipping cream, sugar and vanilla extract (photos 2&3)

Once it’s steaming (but not boiling), add the gelatin/milk mixture in (photo 4)

Whisk everything together until gelatin is dissolved. Remove from heat.

Pour mixture into 6 ramekin dishes, evenly divided (photo 5)

Place ramekins into fridge for at least 5 hours, until they firm up.

When ready to serve, top each panna cotta with sauce/coulis of choice (try our cherry sauce recipe) and enjoy! (photo 6)

Recipe questions + quick tips

What does panna cotta mean in Italian?

Panna cotta is Italian for "cooked cream." It's a simple molded dessert recipe, made of cream that's sweetened and thickened.

Can you make panna cotta ahead of time?

Yes, you can make panna cotta ahead of time! It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days until you're ready to serve. This is what makes panna cotta a great option for sharing at parties and holidays.

How long does panna cotta take to set in the fridge?

It takes at least 5 hours for panna cotta to set in the fridge.

Is panna cotta like creme brulee?

Panna cotta and creme brulee both have custard-like consistencies, but they differ in preparation and taste. Creme brulee uses eggs as a thickener, compared to gelatin that's used for thickening classic panna cotta. Extreme heat is not used to prepare panna cotta, whereas creme brulee requires oven-cooking before being poured into ramekins. The burnt caramel flavor of creme brulee is distinct from the pronounced sweetness of panna cotta.

What does panna cotta taste like?

Panna cotta has a light, smooth mouthfeel. It has naturally sweet and warm vanilla flavors. A variety of toppings can be used on panna cotta to bring out new flavor depths.

Panna cotta topping ideas

Panna cotta is delicious on its own, but you can make it yours by adding delicious toppings. Here are some of our favorites:

  • Seasonal berry sauce/coulis: Layer panna cotta with a sauce made from raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries
  • Caramel sauce: Adds a buttery, toasty flavor
  • Cherries: Cherry panna cotta is a delicious variety (see our cherry sauce recipe here)
  • Shaved chocolate: Sprinkle a little dark or milk chocolate over finished panna cotta

Top tips to make panna cotta

  • You can make this panna cotta up to 3 days in advance and keep it in the fridge until ready to serve
  • Unmolding the panna cotta from the ramekin:this is an optional step. Before serving the panna cotta, bring water to a simmer so it's hot. The water should be deep enough to just come below the rim of the ramekin. Turn the heat off. Place the ramekin in the water for a few seconds (5-10 seconds) to loosen the panna cotta. Invert panna cotta on to the serving dish. If it doesn't come off, run a knife along the edge of the panna cotta and return to the water for another few seconds. Invert on to the plate again.
  • I personally prefer keeping the panna cotta in the ramekin and serving it that way. Unmolding the panna cotta can be tedious, and it doesn't always work out. Either it doesn't unmold easily, and sometimes if kept in the water too long, when inverted, it melts slightly. It's easier and more efficient to keep it in the ramekin.

More Italian dessert recipes

Can't get enough panna cotta? Try my other Italian dessert recipes:

  • Cherry Cake
  • Fresh Peach Tart
  • Crostata

If you tried making this Italian Panna Cotta, or any other recipe on the blog, please let me know what you thought of it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME onINSTAGRAM,FACEBOOK,TWITTER, ANDPINTERESTto see more delicious food and what I’ve been up to.

Recipe

Italian Panna Cotta Recipe

Italian Panna Cotta, a delicious classic that's super easy to make. With just 5 ingredients and 10 minutes of your time, this is sure to be your new favorite Italian dessert recipe!

CourseDessert

CuisineItalian

Cook Time 10 minutes

Resting time 6 hours

Servings 6 servings

Calories 355 kcal

Author Pina Bresciani

Ingredients

  • 2cupswhipping cream
  • ½cupwhole milk
  • ½cupgranulated sugar
  • 2teaspoonvanilla extract
  • 1packet gelatinabout 1 tbsp

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, dissolve the gelatin into the milk, str it around, and set aside.

  2. In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, heat up the whipping cream, sugar and vanilla extract. Once it’s steaming (but not boiling), add the gelatin/milk mixture in.

  3. Whisk everything together until gelatin is dissolved, and not grainy anymore. Remove from heat.

  4. Pour mixture into 6 ramekin dishes, evenly divided. Place ramekins into fridge for at least 5 hours, until they firm up.

  5. When ready to serve, top each panna cotta with sauce/coulis of choice (try our cherry sauce recipe) and enjoy!

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

  • You can make this panna cotta up to 3 days in advance and keep it in the fridge until ready to serve
  • Unmolding the panna cotta from the ramekin: this is an optional step. Before serving the panna cotta, bring water to a simmer so it's hot. The water should be deep enough to just come below the rim of the ramekin. Turn the heat off. Place the ramekin in the water for a few seconds (5-10 seconds) to loosen the panna cotta. Invert panna cotta on to the serving dish. If it doesn't come off, run a knife along the edge of the panna cotta and return to the water for another few seconds. Invert on to the plate again.
  • I personally prefer keeping the panna cotta in the ramekin and serving it that way. Unmolding the panna cotta can be tedious, and it doesn't always work out. Either it doesn't unmold easily, and sometimes if kept in the water too long, when inverted, it melts slightly. It's easier and more efficient to keep it in the ramekin.
  • You can top the panna cotta with anything you'd like, a seasonal berry sauce/coulis, caramel sauce, shaved chocolate etc

Nutrition Facts

Italian Panna Cotta Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 355Calories from Fat 270

% Daily Value*

Fat 30g46%

Saturated Fat 19g119%

Cholesterol 111mg37%

Sodium 40mg2%

Potassium 89mg3%

Carbohydrates 20g7%

Sugar 18g20%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 1199IU24%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 75mg8%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

33

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Italian Panna Cotta Recipe | 10 Minute Cook Time! - Pina Bresciani (2024)

FAQs

How to make pana cotta? ›

Bring 2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup half-and-half, and ⅓ cup (67 g) sugar to a boil in a medium saucepan set over medium-high heat, stirring. Remove pan from heat and stir in gelatin mixture and 1½ tsp. vanilla extract. Divide cream mixture among eight ½-cup ramekins and cool to room temperature.

How do you know when panna cotta is set? ›

Pour the panna cotta mixture into eight 4-ounce ramekins and let cool to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until the panna cotta is set but still jiggly, at least 3 hours.

Why is my panna cotta not setting? ›

Not Setting Properly: If your panna cotta doesn't set properly and remains too runny, it may be due to not using enough gelatin or not allowing it enough time to set. To fix this, you can try adding a bit more gelatin to the mixture or giving it more time to chill and set in the refrigerator.

How long does panna cotta take to set in the fridge? ›

Cover each panna cotta with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until it's set; the time will vary depending on the size and shape of your containers, but expect four to six hours.

What are the key factors when making panna cotta? ›

Tips For Making Panna Cotta
  1. Warm the milk gently; the milk should never boil or simmer.
  2. Make sure the gelatin is dissolved in milk.
  3. Don't let the mixture of milk, sugar and gelatin boil.
  4. Use plain, unflavored gelatin. If you're vegetarian, substitute gelatin with agar agar.

Why is my panna cotta rubbery? ›

Gelatine based desserts are best eaten soon after they're cooked. Panna cotta will begin to develop a rubbery texture after about four days. Once you're confident, experiment with different flavours – vanilla is traditional but think about adding a splash of coffee, honey, almond or citrus to give it a twist!

What happens if you put too much gelatin in panna cotta? ›

A perfect panna cotta only has JUST ENOUGH gelatin to hold the cream mixture together. This means that the texture is really jiggly. Too much gelatin and the panna cotta has more of a jello-like consistency. Too little gelatin and the panna cotta won't set properly and you got a recipe for disaster in your hands.

How do you keep vanilla seeds from sinking in panna cotta? ›

Method
  1. Place a pan over a medium heat. ...
  2. Once boiling, remove from heat and add the soaked gelatine. ...
  3. Pass the mixture through a sieve and leave to cool - if you are able to cool over a bowl of crushed ice, this will help to keep the vanilla seeds from sinking to the bottom.

Is panna cotta bad for you? ›

Panna cotta is a traditional Italian dessert that's basically a simple (but super delicious) mixture of cream, sugar & vanilla — which usually means it's pretty unhealthy too.

Why is my panna cotta gritty? ›

Underhydrated gelatin will be stubbornly gritty, never dissolving, and negatively impact the final set. As with all gelatin desserts, this will become firmer the longer it sits, so eat your panna cotta within 24 hours for the most delicate, elegant texture.

How long does it take for gelatin to set? ›

Set gelatine dishes in the fridge for at least eight hours, preferably 24. After 24 hours gelatine can't set any further. If you need to speed up the setting process, simply place the mould in the freezer to chill before use.

Why is my panna cotta thick? ›

The reason for the gelatin is obvious — a perfect panna cotta should have just enough that it seems the cream is barely holding together. It quivers when you touch it. When there's too much gelatin, the custard feels stiff and cheesy.

How do you keep panna cotta from sticking? ›

Use a finger to lightly coat 4 small ramekin dishes with oil to prevent panna cotta from sticking. Heat milk and sugar in a small saucepan at medium heat, and gently stir.

What is the difference between panna cotta and pudding? ›

There's one main distinction that makes the two desserts so different, and it has to do with their makeup. Pudding and custard are thickened with egg yolks to give them their traditional appearance. Instead of egg yolks, panna cotta is hardened with gelatin, and egg yolks are not present within the recipe.

Is panna cotta good or bad for you? ›

Panna cotta can always be the right dessert — whether you're throwing a fancy party or a small one, have lots of time or no time, are gluten-free, dairy-free, allergy-prone, vegan, or simply craving a delicious and creamy sweet. It's perfect.

What's the difference between creme brulee and panna cotta? ›

Panna cotta is a gelatinized cream, much like an aspic. Creme brulee is a custard made with eggs. Both are thickened sweet cream, one is cooked on top of the stove and the other is baked in the oven; one is thickened in the refrigerator with gelatin while the other is thickened in the oven by the eggs.

Is panna cotta the same as milk pudding? ›

Panna cotta recipe is an easy make-ahead Valentine's Day dessert for two. Since it serves two people, it is great to make the day before. Panna cotta is similar to pudding, but slightly more firm. It is technically cooked cream set with gelatin, and it couldn't be easier to make.

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