This fancy yet simple Italian dessert is a make-ahead must-have when dinner guests visit.
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Panna cotta, a dessert renowned for its smooth texture and subtle taste, derives its name from the Italian phrase “cooked cream,” reflecting its method of preparation. This delectable treat involves simmering a mixture of cream, milk, and sugar and then incorporating gelatin to create a velvety pudding consistency. Though it is often confused with egg custard, such as this egg custard with honey, panna cotta does not require eggs and has a much different result because of the gelatin.
The roots of panna cotta can be traced back to the Piedmont region in Northern Italy, where it was supposedly prepared by heating cream with fish bones to produce a thickened dessert. As time progressed, gelatin became the thickening agent. The straightforward nature of the panna cotta’s ingredients and its preparation process have significantly contributed to its appeal as an effortless homemade dessert.
One of the best parts of panna cotta is its adaptability. Using it as a base, you can easily add flavors or complement the dessert with an assortment of toppings. Customize panna cotta with berries, chocolate shavings, or our dairy-free vegan caramel sauce to suit tastes and occasions, from family dinners to fancy gatherings.
The appeal of panna cotta also lies in its texture, which feels decadent yet light enough to finish a meal. Its make-ahead feature is beneficial for both home cooks and chefs, as it allows the dessert to set perfectly and develop flavors. This convenience, along with its lovely presentation, makes panna cotta an excellent choice for hosting guests.
Is Panna Cotta Healthy?
Panna cotta is a decadent dessert full of heavy cream and sugar. Desserts are seldom on the menu as a health option, and panna cotta is no different. Consider it a tasty treat after a healthy meal rather than a healthy food option.
You can make panna cotta a bit healthier by replacing the cream with Greek yogurt and choosing a sugar substitute, such as stevia.
The secret to the best panna cotta?
The secret to the best panna cotta lies in the gelatin. Without gelatin, panna cotta is a dish of liquid dairy. As yummy as that could be, you want a dessert you can sink a spoon into. It’s critical to follow the directions closely when dissolving the gelatin. Allowing it to soften and dissolve without boiling it creates an excellent thickener for your panna cotta. If it isn’t dissolved, you will be left with gritty, unappetizing panna cotta. And if it is boiled away, the dessert will have no substance.
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup low-fat milk
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 tablespoon honey
INSTRUCTIONS
Soften
Soften gelatin in milk.
Heat
Mix in cream; dissolve gelatin and sugar in the milk mixture.
Chill
Add in vanilla; portion and refrigerate panna cotta until set.
Top
Garnish with honeyed strawberries before serving.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
The beauty of panna cotta is that it is a wonderful make-ahead dessert. When hosting dinner guests, anything that can be done ahead of time is always welcome. Since panna cotta chills in the fridge before serving, you can continue to chill it there for up to 4 days. It’s best to lay a sheet of wax paper or plastic wrap across the dish so the dessert doesn’t absorb any odors from the refrigerator. Try not to let the covering lay directly on the panna cotta but rather on the edges of the dishes.
It’s disappointing when you dig your spoon into the panna cotta and the texture isn’t right. If it is too hard, let the dessert sit out on the counter for another hour and see if it softens. If that doesn’t work, you likely need to melt the panna cotta once more, add a little more cream and sugar, chill, and try again.
Panna cotta can sometimes split, and although it doesn’t change the flavor, it does upset the appearance. Splitting or cracking happens when the milk and cream separate. To avoid this, make sure the ingredients are well-whisked as you combine them. Whisking helps combine the milk and cream into one. If you have problems with splitting, you can also let the mixture cool before putting it into dishes to set.
Serving Suggestions
As mentioned, the adaptability of panna cotta is incredible. The possibilities of what you can serve it with make this dessert flexible and fun. The most popular topping is fruit, just as in this recipe, where strawberries are served with panna cotta. Another common way to top panna cotta with fruit is with a fruit compote of cherries, mangos, or berries. The compote creates a sweet/tart flavor.
This Dairy-Free Vegan Caramel Sauce, as mentioned above, is an elegant topping that adds just enough sweetness and flavor to the panna cotta. You can also add some chocolate shavings with the caramel sauce for a rich and luxurious treat. Give your panna cotta a healthy nibble with this Homemade Granola sprinkled on top. My all-time favorite is our Homemade Strawberry Chia Jam as a topping for panna cotta. The color is lovely and the flavor is perfect on panna cotta.
Classic Panna Cotta
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup low-fat milk
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries hulled and sliced
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
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In a small saucepan, gently sprinkle the gelatin over the milk and let it sit for 5 minutes to soften.
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Warm the milk over medium heat, stirring until the gelatin is fully dissolved, but do not allow it to boil, about 3-5 minutes.
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Stir in the heavy cream and sugar, continuing to heat and stir until the sugar dissolves, another 3-5 minutes.
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Remove from heat, mix in the vanilla extract, and divide the mixture into two serving glasses. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until set.
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For the topping, combine sliced strawberries with honey in a bowl and let them macerate at room temperature for about an hour.
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To serve, top each panna cotta with the sweetened strawberries.
Nutrition
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