About this Dish
A silky, wobbly cooked cream dessert, often finished with berry or caramel sauce.
History & Origin
Panna cotta ("cooked cream") hails from Piedmont in northern Italy, its origins in the region's dairy farming tradition, now one of Italy's most exported desserts.
IngredientsServes 2
🥛Heavy cream, 500ml
🍬Caster sugar, 60g
🫙Whole milk, 100ml
🌿Vanilla bean, 1 split lengthways
🟡Powdered gelatin, 2 teaspoons (about 7g)
🍓Fresh strawberries, 200g hulled and halved
🍋Lemon juice, 1 tablespoon
🍬Icing sugar, 2 tablespoons for the berry sauce
Method
1
Pour the milk into a small bowl and sprinkle the powdered gelatin over the surface. Let it sit for 5 minutes to bloom — it will look spongy and swollen, which is exactly what you want.2
In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream, caster sugar, and the split vanilla bean with its scraped seeds. Heat gently over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the cream just begins to steam — do not let it boil.3
Remove the pan from the heat and fish out the vanilla pod. Add the bloomed gelatin mixture and stir well for 2 minutes until it has completely dissolved into the warm cream.4
Lightly oil four ramekins or glasses with a neutral oil like sunflower, then strain the cream mixture evenly into each one through a fine sieve. Let them cool to room temperature, then cover with cling film and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until fully set.5
While the panna cottas are setting, make the berry sauce by combining the strawberries, icing sugar, and lemon juice in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the berries break down into a glossy, jammy sauce. Let it cool completely.6
To serve, run a thin knife around the edge of each ramekin and gently invert onto a plate — give it a little shake and it should slip out with a satisfying wobble. If it sticks, briefly dip the base of the ramekin in warm water for a few seconds and try again.7
Spoon the cooled strawberry sauce generously over each panna cotta and serve immediately. You can also add a few fresh berries or a sprig of mint on top for a pretty finish.User Reviews
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