Indulge in the elegance of Vanilla Panna Cotta, a luxurious Italian Panna Cotta that melts in your mouth with its silky, creamy texture. This delicate panna cotta is surprisingly simple to make, requiring just a few ingredients and some chilling time, making it perfect for dinner parties or a special treat at home. With its smooth vanilla flavor, this silky vanilla dessert will elevate any occasion. Let’s create this creamy Italian treat and impress your guests!
Why You’ll Love Vanilla Panna Cotta
- Effortless Elegance: A restaurant-quality silky vanilla dessert with minimal work.
- Creamy Perfection: Light yet rich texture for a dreamy creamy Italian treat.
- Make-Ahead: Chills overnight, ideal for stress-free hosting.
- Customizable: Add flavors or toppings to suit your taste.
- Crowd-Pleaser: A delicate panna cotta that wows every guest.
Ingredients for Vanilla Panna Cotta
Here’s what you need for this silky vanilla dessert (makes ~6 servings):
Panna Cotta:
- 2 cups (500ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (250ml) whole milk
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 vanilla bean (or 2 tsp pure vanilla extract)
- 2½ tsp (1 packet) unflavored gelatin
- 3 tbsp (45ml) cold water
- Pinch of salt
Optional Garnish:
- Fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries)
- Caramel sauce or chocolate drizzle
- Mint leaves
Equipment
- Small bowl
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
- Fine-mesh sieve
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Serving glasses, ramekins, or molds
Ingredient Tips
- Vanilla Bean: Use a real vanilla bean for intense flavor and specks in your creamy Italian treat; extract works as a backup.
- Gelatin: Bloom properly to ensure a smooth delicate panna cotta texture.
- Cream: Heavy cream gives the richest silky vanilla dessert; avoid substituting with lower-fat options.
- Gluten-Free: Naturally gluten-free, making it ideal for dietary needs.
- Sugar: Adjust slightly for a less sweet creamy Italian treat if desired.
Directions for Vanilla Panna Cotta
Let’s make this delicate panna cotta—a timeless treat!
Bloom Gelatin
In a small bowl, I sprinkle 2½ tsp gelatin over 3 tbsp cold water and let it sit for 5 minutes until it softens, ensuring a lump-free silky vanilla dessert.
Heat Cream Mixture
In a medium saucepan, I combine 2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup whole milk, ½ cup sugar, and a pinch of salt. I split 1 vanilla bean, scrape the seeds, and add both seeds and pod to the pan (or add vanilla extract later). I heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until warm (about 170°F/77°C), avoiding a boil to keep the creamy Italian treat smooth.
Dissolve Gelatin
I remove the pan from heat, discard the vanilla bean pod, and stir in the bloomed gelatin until fully dissolved. If using vanilla extract, I add 2 tsp now for a fragrant delicate panna cotta.
Strain and Pour
I strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a measuring cup for a silky texture, then pour into 6 serving glasses or ramekins. I cover with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, until set.
Serve
For glasses, I top the set creamy Italian treat with berries or a drizzle of caramel. For ramekins, I run a knife around the edges, dip the bottom in warm water for 5–10 seconds, and invert onto a plate, garnishing with mint for a stunning silky vanilla dessert.
Nutrition
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 4 hours (or overnight)
- Total Time: ~4 hours 25 minutes
- Servings: ~6 servings
- Calories: ~300–320 kcal per serving
- Macros per Serving: 30g carbs, 4g protein, 20g fat, 0g fiber
Variations for Vanilla Panna Cotta
Try these twists on this delicate panna cotta:
- Chocolate: Stir in 3 oz melted dark chocolate for a rich creamy Italian treat.
- Coconut: Swap half the cream for coconut milk for a tropical silky vanilla dessert.
- Coffee: Add 1 tsp instant espresso powder for a bold delicate panna cotta.
- Lemon: Mix in 1 tsp lemon zest for a citrusy twist, inspired by LaylaCooks’ Vegan Breakfast Cookies.
- Berry Swirl: Swirl in 2 tbsp berry puree before chilling for a fruity creamy Italian treat.
Serving Ideas:
- Pair with LaylaCooks’ Cucumber Blueberry Feta Salad for a fresh contrast.
- Serve with LaylaCooks’ Vanilla Raspberry Iced Latte for a cohesive treat.
- Enjoy with LaylaCooks’ The Best Peach Sorbet for a sweet finish.
Storage
I store the set silky vanilla dessert in the fridge, covered, for up to 3 days. For unmolded panna cotta, I wrap tightly in plastic wrap. I don’t recommend freezing, as it can alter the creamy Italian treat’s texture, but if needed, freeze for up to 1 month and thaw slowly in the fridge.
Serving Tips
- Presentation: Serve in elegant glasses or unmolded on plates for a stunning delicate panna cotta.
- Garnish: Top with fresh berries, caramel drizzle, or mint for silky vanilla dessert flair.
- Pairing: Enjoy with Moscato or LaylaCooks’ Cucumber Mint Agua Fresca.
- Portion Size: 1 serving per person for a luxurious treat.
- Occasions: Perfect for dinner parties, holidays, or special evenings.
FAQs About Vanilla Panna Cotta
Here are answers to common questions about this dish:
Why is my panna cotta lumpy?
Strain the mixture and ensure gelatin fully dissolves for a smooth creamy Italian treat.
Can I use vanilla extract instead of a vanilla bean?
Yes, 2 tsp pure vanilla extract works well for a flavorful silky vanilla dessert.
How long does it need to chill?
At least 4 hours, but overnight chilling ensures the best delicate panna cotta texture.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes, use coconut milk and vegan cream for a dairy-free creamy Italian treat.
Why didn’t my panna cotta set?
Ensure accurate gelatin measurement and avoid overheating the cream for a firm silky vanilla dessert.
More Dessert Ideas You’ll Love
- Chocolate Mousse Cake
- Cinnamon Sugar Blondies
- Strawberry Shortcake Cake (with sponge cake)
- Moist Cinnamon Apple Cake: A Sweet, Simple Deligh
Conclusion
Vanilla Panna Cotta is a luxurious, make-ahead dessert that brings Italian elegance to your table with minimal effort. This silky vanilla dessert, with its creamy texture and delicate flavor, is perfect for any occasion. Create this delicate panna cotta and savor its timeless charm!
Vanilla Panna Cotta
Ingredients
Panna Cotta:
- 2 cups 500ml heavy cream
- 1 cup 250ml whole milk
- ½ cup 100g granulated sugar
- 1 vanilla bean or 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2½ tsp 1 packet unflavored gelatin
- 3 tbsp 45ml cold water
- Pinch of salt
Optional Garnish:
- Fresh berries strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries
- Caramel sauce or chocolate drizzle
- Mint leaves
Instructions
Bloom Gelatin
- In a small bowl, I sprinkle 2½ tsp gelatin over 3 tbsp cold water and let it sit for 5 minutes until it softens, ensuring a lump-free silky vanilla dessert.
Heat Cream Mixture
- In a medium saucepan, I combine 2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup whole milk, ½ cup sugar, and a pinch of salt. I split 1 vanilla bean, scrape the seeds, and add both seeds and pod to the pan (or add vanilla extract later). I heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until warm (about 170°F/77°C), avoiding a boil to keep the creamy Italian treat smooth.
Dissolve Gelatin
- I remove the pan from heat, discard the vanilla bean pod, and stir in the bloomed gelatin until fully dissolved. If using vanilla extract, I add 2 tsp now for a fragrant delicate panna cotta.
Strain and Pour
- I strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a measuring cup for a silky texture, then pour into 6 serving glasses or ramekins. I cover with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, until set.
Serve
- For glasses, I top the set creamy Italian treat with berries or a drizzle of caramel. For ramekins, I run a knife around the edges, dip the bottom in warm water for 5–10 seconds, and invert onto a plate, garnishing with mint for a stunning silky vanilla dessert.
Notes
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