Description

A silky, elegant no-bake dessert that melts in your mouth. This ultra-creamy vanilla bean panna cotta is made with just five core ingredients and a simple berry coulis, perfect for impressing guests without the stress.

Ingredients

Scale

3 cups heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
½ cup granulated white sugar
2 vanilla beans (or 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract)
2 packets unflavored gelatin (14g total)
¼ cup cold water (for blooming gelatin)
2 cups frozen mixed berries (for coulis)
2 tablespoons simple syrup or honey (for coulis)
1 teaspoon lemon juice (for coulis)

Instructions

Bloom the gelatin: Sprinkle gelatin powder over ¼ cup of cold water in a small bowl and let sit for 5-10 minutes until spongy.
Heat the cream mixture: In a saucepan, combine heavy cream, milk, sugar, and vanilla beans (seeds and pods). Heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves and mixture steams. Do not boil.
Dissolve the gelatin: Remove saucepan from heat. Squeeze excess water from bloomed gelatin and stir into the hot cream until fully dissolved. If using vanilla extract, stir it in now. Remove vanilla pods.
Pour and chill: Divide mixture among ramekins or a large mold. Cover loosely and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, until firm.
Make the berry coulis: Blend thawed berries, simple syrup, and lemon juice until smooth. Strain if desired for a smoother texture.
Serve: Serve panna cotta in ramekins or unmolded onto plates. Spoon berry coulis over the top and garnish with mint or fresh berries.

Notes

Do not boil the cream mixture as it breaks down the gelatin’s setting power. For best texture, strain the cream mixture before pouring into molds. The dessert is best eaten within 2 days and should not be frozen.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 ramekin or slice
Calories: 320
Sugar: 24
Sodium: 45
Fat: 22
Saturated Fat: 14
Carbohydrates: 28
Fiber: 1
Protein: 6

Keywords: panna cotta, vanilla bean, no-bake dessert, creamy dessert, berry coulis, make-ahead dessert, gluten-free dessert, elegant dessert