Description
A silky, creamy panna cotta with fresh strawberry sweetness and real vanilla bean aroma, perfect for a quick and elegant weeknight dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (480ml) heavy cream (full-fat)
- 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
- ⅓ cup (65g) granulated sugar
- 1 vanilla bean pod (or 1 teaspoon high-quality pure vanilla extract)
- 2½ teaspoons (about 7g) powdered gelatin
- ⅓ cup (80ml) cold water
- 2 cups (~300g) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice
- Optional: 1 tablespoon sugar for strawberry topping if berries are not sweet enough
Instructions
- Bloom the gelatin: Sprinkle powdered gelatin over ⅓ cup (80ml) cold water in a small bowl. Stir gently and let sit for about 5 minutes until jelly-like.
- Heat the cream mixture: In a medium saucepan, combine heavy cream, whole milk, and sugar. Split vanilla bean pod lengthwise, scrape seeds into the pan, and add the pod. Heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves and mixture is steaming but not boiling.
- Dissolve the gelatin: Remove cream mixture from heat. Remove and discard vanilla bean pod. Add bloomed gelatin to hot cream and whisk until completely dissolved.
- Pour and chill: Pour mixture evenly into ramekins or glasses. Let cool at room temperature briefly, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until set.
- Prepare strawberry topping: Toss sliced strawberries with lemon juice and optional sugar. Let macerate for at least 10 minutes. For compote, simmer mixture gently for 5 minutes until syrupy.
- Serve: Spoon strawberries and juices over panna cotta. Optionally garnish with mint or powdered sugar.
Notes
Use real vanilla bean for best flavor and aroma. Bloom gelatin in cold water before adding to hot cream to avoid clumps. Keep heat low when warming cream to prevent boiling. Chill panna cotta for at least 4 hours for proper setting. Strawberry topping can be made ahead and tastes better after macerating. For smoother sauce, mash strawberries or pulse briefly in a blender.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ramekin (about 6 o
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 35
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 1.5
- Protein: 4
Keywords: strawberry panna cotta, vanilla bean dessert, quick panna cotta, easy weeknight dessert, creamy panna cotta, fresh strawberry dessert