A silky, lightly sweet dessert with a luxuriously smooth texture, this creamy panna cotta is simple, elegant, and perfect for any occasion. With just a few basic ingredients, you can create a restaurant-quality dessert at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This panna cotta is incredibly easy to make yet feels sophisticated. It requires minimal cooking, uses only a handful of pantry ingredients, and can be dressed up with toppings such as fresh berries, honey, or a fruit coulis. Its delicate flavor and velvety consistency make it a crowd-pleasing treat.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
3 tbsp cold water
1 ½ tsp halal beef gelatin powder
2 cups (480 ml) heavy cream
½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Directions
Pour the cold water into a small bowl and sprinkle the halal gelatin evenly over the surface. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to bloom.
In a saucepan, combine the heavy cream and granulated sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the cream is hot but not boiling.
Remove the saucepan from heat and whisk in the bloomed gelatin until completely dissolved.
Stir in the vanilla extract.
Pour the mixture into ramekins, glasses, or small dessert molds.
Let the panna cotta cool at room temperature for about 10–15 minutes, then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until fully set.
To serve, enjoy directly from the container or unmold by dipping the bottom of each mold in warm water for a few seconds and loosening the edges.
Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta: Replace the vanilla extract with the seeds of one whole vanilla bean for a more intense flavor.
Berry Panna Cotta: Blend a handful of strawberries or raspberries into the cream mixture before heating, then strain before chilling.
Coconut Panna Cotta: Replace half of the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk for a subtle tropical twist.
Honey-Sweetened: Swap the sugar for honey, adjusting to taste, and add it after removing the cream from heat.
Chocolate Panna Cotta: Add ½ cup finely chopped halal dark chocolate to the hot cream and whisk until melted.
Storage/Reheating
Store panna cotta covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Do not freeze, as freezing affects the smooth texture. Panna cotta is served chilled, so no reheating is necessary.
FAQs
What type of gelatin should I use for this recipe?
Use halal beef gelatin powder for proper setting and to keep the recipe halal-friendly.
Can I make panna cotta without gelatin?
Yes. You can use agar-agar, though the texture will be firmer and less creamy. Adjust the amount according to package instructions.
How do I prevent lumps in my panna cotta?
Ensure the gelatin fully blooms and dissolves completely into the warm cream mixture.
Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?
You can replace some cream with milk, but using only milk will produce a less creamy and less set result.
Why did my panna cotta not set?
Most likely the gelatin wasn’t fully dissolved, or too little was used. Chilling time is also essential.
Can I flavor panna cotta with fruits?
Yes. Add fruit purees or infusions to the cream mixture, straining if needed for smoothness.
Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes. You can reduce the sugar slightly without affecting the texture, though taste will vary.
How do I unmold panna cotta cleanly?
Briefly dip the mold in warm water and gently loosen the edges with a thin knife before inverting.
Can panna cotta be prepared ahead of time?
Absolutely. It’s an ideal make-ahead dessert since it needs several hours to chill.
What toppings go best with panna cotta?
Fresh berries, berry coulis, caramel sauce, honey, or chopped nuts complement it beautifully.
Conclusion
Creamy panna cotta is a timeless dessert that pairs simplicity with elegance. With minimal effort and a handful of ingredients, you can create a luscious treat suitable for gatherings, celebrations, or simply indulging at home. Enjoy its silky texture and versatility, and customize it with your favorite toppings or flavor variations.
A silky, lightly sweet Italian dessert made with cream, sugar, vanilla, and halal gelatin. It’s chilled until set for a smooth, creamy finish and served with your favorite toppings.
Author:Sophia
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:5 minutes
Total Time:4 hours 15 minutes
Yield:4 servings
Category:Dessert
Method:Chilling
Cuisine:Italian
Diet:Halal
Ingredients
3 tbsp cold water
1 ½ tsp halal beef gelatin powder
2 cups (480 ml) heavy cream
½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
Pour cold water into a small bowl and sprinkle the halal gelatin over the surface. Let sit for 5 minutes to bloom.
In a saucepan, heat the heavy cream and sugar over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved and the cream is hot but not boiling.
Remove from heat and whisk in the bloomed gelatin until fully dissolved.
Stir in the vanilla extract.
Pour the mixture into ramekins, glasses, or dessert molds.
Let cool at room temperature for 10–15 minutes, then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until fully set.
To serve, enjoy from the container or unmold by dipping the bottom of each mold in warm water and loosening edges before inverting.
Notes
Make sure gelatin is fully dissolved to ensure proper setting.
Use high-quality vanilla for best flavor.
Customize with fruit purees or toppings like berries or coulis.
To unmold easily, dip mold in warm water briefly and use a thin knife to release edges.
