This easy strawberry panna cotta is a smooth, creamy Italian dessert that feels elegant yet is surprisingly simple to prepare. Made with fresh strawberries, rich cream, and a light strawberry topping, it’s a refreshing treat that’s perfect for warm weather or whenever you want a light but indulgent dessert.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe is wonderfully simple, using just a handful of ingredients and straightforward steps. It’s a perfect make-ahead dessert, allowing you to prepare it in advance and focus on enjoying your time with guests. The natural sweetness and flavor of fresh strawberries shine through, giving the panna cotta a beautiful color and fruity taste. Its creamy texture paired with a fresh strawberry topping makes it ideal for both everyday treats and special occasions.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the strawberry panna cotta
23 oz (650 g) fresh strawberries
½ cup (120 ml) whole milk, divided
1¼ cups (300 ml) heavy cream
⅓ cup (67 g) granulated sugar
2 teaspoons (7 g) gelatin powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

For the strawberry topping
3 tablespoons (36 g) granulated sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Pinch of salt

Directions

Start by washing and hulling the strawberries. Place them in a blender or food processor and blend until completely smooth. Strain the puree through a fine sieve to remove the seeds. Divide the puree into two portions, about two-thirds for the panna cotta base and one-third for the topping. Set aside.

In a small bowl, combine the gelatin with half of the milk and whisk until blended. Let it sit for about 10 minutes so the gelatin can bloom.

In a medium saucepan, add the heavy cream, remaining milk, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Heat gently over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is hot but not boiling. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

Add the bloomed gelatin mixture to the warm cream and whisk immediately until fully dissolved and smooth. Stir in the two-thirds portion of strawberry puree until evenly combined.

Pour the mixture into serving glasses or ramekins. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or until fully set.

To prepare the topping, place the remaining strawberry puree in a small saucepan with the sugar, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Heat gently until the sugar dissolves, then remove from heat and let it cool completely.

Once the panna cotta is set, spoon the cooled strawberry topping over each serving. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes 6 servings.
Prep time: 30 minutes
Active work time: 20 minutes
Chilling time: at least 3 hours
Total time (excluding chilling): about 50 minutes

Variations

You can create a vegan version by using coconut cream instead of dairy cream and agar-agar in place of gelatin. For a classic strawberry-and-cream flavor, make a plain vanilla panna cotta and serve it with strawberry sauce on top. Other fruits such as mango, raspberries, blueberries, or peaches can be used instead of strawberries. For a citrus twist, add a little lemon zest to the panna cotta mixture. You can also switch the topping to a mixed berry coulis or a light white chocolate sauce.

Storage/Reheating

Strawberry panna cotta stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days when covered. It’s best served chilled and does not require reheating. Freezing is not recommended, as it can negatively affect the texture.

FAQs

Can I make strawberry panna cotta ahead of time?

Yes, this dessert is ideal for making ahead and can be prepared a day in advance.

How long does panna cotta need to set?

It should chill for at least 3 hours to achieve the proper consistency.

Can I use frozen strawberries?

Fresh strawberries are best. Frozen strawberries release excess water and can affect the texture.

What can I use instead of gelatin?

Agar-agar can be used as a plant-based alternative, but the texture will be slightly different.

Why didn’t my panna cotta set properly?

This usually happens if the gelatin amount is incorrect or if the mixture wasn’t warm enough to dissolve the gelatin fully.

Can I make this dessert less sweet?

Yes, you can reduce the sugar slightly in both the panna cotta and the topping.

Is panna cotta supposed to be very firm?

No, it should be softly set and creamy, not stiff or rubbery.

Can I unmold panna cotta instead of serving it in glasses?

Yes, lightly greasing the molds and briefly dipping them in warm water can help release the panna cotta.

What type of cream works best?

Heavy cream provides the richest texture and best results.

Can I add pieces of fruit inside the panna cotta?

It’s better to keep the fruit pureed for a smooth texture, but small soft fruit pieces can be added if desired.

Conclusion

This easy strawberry panna cotta is a delightful balance of creamy richness and fresh fruit flavor. Simple to prepare and elegant to serve, it’s a dessert that fits effortlessly into both casual meals and special celebrations. With its smooth texture and vibrant strawberry topping, it’s sure to become a favorite in your dessert rotation.

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