Classic Vanilla Panna Cotta

Quick and super easy vanilla panna cotta recipe that everyone will love! It’s creamy, smooth, and naturally gluten-free. Takes 6 simple ingredients, and it’s delicious! This classic panna cotta is a perfect make-ahead treat that never fails.

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About this easy panna cotta (mini cup dessert)

Panna cotta is an easy, no-bake dessert that never fails. If you love panna cotta, here are different flavors of this recipe: strawberry, lemon, and chocolate.

This traditional Italian dessert is naturally gluten-free and is super versatile; it goes well with many toppings. This version is served in glass cups and finished with fresh strawberries and blueberries, but there are plenty of variations. You can make it ahead, get the dessert ready in the fridge, and end up at the moment of serving.

Ingredients:

The main ingredients of this recipe are:

• Cream: heavy cream for the best flavor and consistency.
• Milk: whole milk for the best flavor.
• Unflavored gelatin: the amount of gelatin makes it more or less consistent.
• Vanilla extract: You can also use 1 vanilla bean.
• Sugar: white granulated sugar.
• Fresh fruits: Fresh fruit is better, and you can use the fruits you prefer. This recipe is served with strawberries and blueberries.

How to make this no-bake dessert

In a deep saucepan, heat the cream with the milk, sugar, and vanilla over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves. Bring just to a boil and reduce to a minimum heat. Leave for 5 minutes, remove the pan from the heat, and let the temperature drop.

In a very small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over water. Heat gelatin for 10 seconds in the microwave until gelatin is dissolved. Stir in the gelatin in the saucepan.

Strain the mixture and divide it into cups, jars, or individual ramekins (1/2 cup ramekins).

Let it rest covered in the fridge for at least 4 hours; ideally, overnight.

Serve the dessert with fresh strawberries, blueberries, and honey. If you choose individual ramekins, to unmold, dip one at a time into a bowl of warm water for a few seconds, and run a knife around the edge of each ramekin. Invert onto the plate and serve.

Storing

You can make the dessert in advance, store it covered in the fridge, and finish it at the moment of serving with your favorite topping.

If there is any leftover, cover it with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. It´s better to separate the fruit from the custard.

Top Tips

• Gelatin: Ensure gelatin dissolves evenly without clumps.
• Strain: Strain the mixture to catch any undissolved gelatin.
• Chill long enough: Let panna cotta chill for at least 4 hours; ideally overnight.
• Unmold: If you choose individual ramekins, to unmold, dip one at a time into a bowl of warm water for a few seconds, and run a knife around the edge of each ramekin. Invert onto the plate and serve.

Serving suggestions

• Fresh fruits: like strawberries, plums, berries, peaches, and so on, sprinkle with sugar or honey.
• Fruit sauce: like strawberry or passion fruit sauce.
• Coulis: Berry Coulis is a classic.
• Dish: you can serve the dessert in a glass cup, jars, or individual ramekins (1/2 cup ramekin). If you choose individual ramekins, to unmold, dip one at a time into a bowl of warm water for a few seconds, and run a knife around the edge of each ramekin. Invert onto the plate and serve

For more mini cup desserts

• Easy blueberry panna cotta (in glass)
• Chocolate mango mousse (quick and easy)
• Vanilla pastry cream with plum compote (in glass)
• Strawberry panna cotta (with strawberry sauce)
• Lemon panna cotta (fresh and creamy)

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