Raspberry Panna Cotta Recipe
If you are looking for a dessert that is both elegant and refreshingly light, let me introduce you to the Raspberry Panna Cotta. This classic Italian treat balances the creamy, silky texture of the panna cotta with the bright, tangy burst of fresh raspberries, making each spoonful feel like a little celebration. It is surprisingly simple to prepare yet delivers a stunning finish that can impress guests or simply brighten your day. Once you try this Raspberry Panna Cotta, it might just become your go-to dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is half the fun and ensures your Raspberry Panna Cotta turns out perfectly smooth and flavorful. Each one plays a crucial role, whether it’s creating the luscious base or adding that vibrant raspberry zing.
- Heavy cream: Provides richness and the signature silky texture that panna cotta is known for.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just the right touch of sweetness to balance the tartness of the raspberries.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses a delicate warmth that complements the creamy base beautifully.
- Unflavored gelatin: The magic ingredient that helps the panna cotta set into that perfect, wobbly consistency.
- Cold water: Used to bloom the gelatin, making sure it dissolves smoothly without clumps.
- Fresh raspberries: The star fruit for the sauce and top garnish, offering a fresh and vibrant flavor burst.
- Lemon juice: Brightens the raspberry sauce, enhancing its natural tartness and freshness.
- Powdered sugar (optional): To sweeten the raspberry sauce just a touch if your berries are on the tart side.
- Fresh mint leaves (optional): Adds a pop of color and a refreshing aromatic hint as a garnish.
How to Make Raspberry Panna Cotta
Step 1: Bloom the Gelatin
Start by sprinkling the unflavored gelatin over cold water in a small bowl and let it bloom for 5 minutes. This step is essential because it softens the gelatin granules, ensuring they dissolve evenly into the warm cream mixture later, so your panna cotta sets perfectly without a single lump.
Step 2: Heat the Cream and Sugar
Next, combine the heavy cream with granulated sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir gently until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is warm but not boiling. This gentle heating helps the sugar meld into the cream, creating a silky-smooth base that melts in your mouth.
Step 3: Incorporate Vanilla and Gelatin
Remove the cream from heat and stir in the vanilla extract, which adds a subtle depth of flavor. Then whisk in the bloomed gelatin until fully dissolved. This is where the panna cotta base transforms, thanks to gelatin’s setting power balanced with the fragrant vanilla.
Step 4: Cool and Set the Cream
Allow the cream mixture to cool for about 10 minutes before pouring it into serving glasses or ramekins. This cooling step helps prevent any condensation and ensures a silky texture. Refrigerate the cups for at least 4 hours, giving the panna cotta time to solidify into its signature creamy, jiggly form.
Step 5: Make the Raspberry Sauce
While the panna cotta sets, prepare the raspberry sauce by cooking fresh raspberries with lemon juice over medium heat until the berries break down into a luscious, slightly chunky sauce. Add powdered sugar if you want extra sweetness. This fresh and tart topping perfectly contrasts the creamy richness below.
Step 6: Assemble and Garnish
After the sauce has cooled completely, spoon it generously over the set panna cotta. Finish with a few fresh raspberries and mint leaves for a charming, fresh garnish. Serve chilled and watch your guests’ faces light up with every bite of this delightful Raspberry Panna Cotta.
How to Serve Raspberry Panna Cotta
Garnishes
Adding fresh raspberries and a sprig of mint not only makes your Raspberry Panna Cotta visually appealing but also adds fresh, contrasting flavors and aromas. You could also sprinkle a tiny pinch of lemon zest for an extra citrus note that brightens every spoonful.
Side Dishes
This dessert pairs wonderfully with simple accompaniments like buttery biscotti or crisp almond cookies, which provide a crunchy texture against the creamy panna cotta. A light glass of sparkling wine or a fruity rosé can also elevate the experience beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try layering the panna cotta and raspberry sauce in clear glasses for a stunning visual effect. Alternatively, unmold individual portions onto delicate dessert plates and drizzle the sauce artistically around, adding edible flowers or crushed pistachios for an elegant touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any Raspberry Panna Cotta left, keep it covered tightly in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and creamy for up to 3 days, making it a perfect make-ahead dessert for busy weeks or unexpected guests.
Freezing
Freezing panna cotta is generally not recommended because it can alter the smooth texture, causing it to become grainy once thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh or well-chilled from the fridge.
Reheating
This dessert is best served cold, so reheating is not advised. Instead, simply take it out of the fridge a few minutes before serving to take the chill off slightly if preferred.
FAQs
Can I use frozen raspberries for the sauce?
Yes, frozen raspberries work fine; just thaw them completely before cooking so the sauce can achieve the right consistency and flavor. Keep in mind that frozen berries may be a bit juicier, so adjust the cooking time to thicken the sauce as needed.
Is there a dairy-free way to make Raspberry Panna Cotta?
Absolutely! You can substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk for a creamy, dairy-free version. Use agar-agar instead of gelatin to help it set, but be sure to follow the specific instructions for agar since it behaves differently from gelatin.
Can I make this dessert ahead of time for a party?
Definitely, Raspberry Panna Cotta is a fantastic make-ahead dessert that you can prepare a day or two in advance. Just keep it refrigerated and add the raspberry sauce and garnishes shortly before serving for the freshest presentation.
What if I don’t have unflavored gelatin?
If you don’t have gelatin, agar-agar is a plant-based alternative that can be used, but you’ll need to adjust the quantity and method since agar sets faster and firmer. Using too much agar can lead to a firmer texture than traditional panna cotta.
Why is my panna cotta not setting properly?
Gelatin needs to bloom fully in cold water and then dissolve completely in the warm cream mixture. If it’s not setting, it might be that the gelatin was not fully dissolved or the refrigeration time was too short. Make sure to follow the blooming and cooling steps carefully and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
Final Thoughts
Making Raspberry Panna Cotta at home is like treating yourself to a little bit of Italy on a plate. The combination of creamy, dreamy panna cotta with the fresh zing of raspberry sauce is simply irresistible. It’s easy enough for weeknight indulgence, yet special enough for celebrations. So go ahead, dive in and enjoy every luscious spoonful—you deserve it!
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Raspberry Panna Cotta Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Raspberry Panna Cotta is a creamy, elegant Italian dessert featuring a smooth, vanilla-infused cream base topped with a fresh, tangy raspberry sauce. Perfectly set and garnished with fresh berries and mint, it’s a delightful treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Panna Cotta Base
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 packet unflavored gelatin (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 3 tablespoons cold water
Raspberry Sauce & Garnish
- 1 1/4 cups fresh raspberries (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon powdered sugar (optional for topping)
- Fresh mint leaves (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Bloom the Gelatin: Sprinkle the unflavored gelatin over 3 tablespoons of cold water in a small bowl. Let it sit undisturbed for 5 minutes to absorb the water and bloom, ensuring a smooth texture when dissolved.
- Heat Cream and Sugar: In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups of heavy cream and 1/3 cup granulated sugar. Warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture is hot but not boiling.
- Add Vanilla and Gelatin: Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, then whisk in the bloomed gelatin until it is completely dissolved, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Cool and Pour: Allow the cream mixture to cool for about 10 minutes at room temperature. Then, carefully pour the mixture into serving glasses or ramekins for setting.
- Refrigerate to Set: Place the glasses in the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours, or until the panna cotta has fully set and is firm to the touch.
- Prepare Raspberry Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine 1 1/4 cups fresh raspberries and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until the raspberries break down into a sauce, about 5 minutes. Sweeten with 1 teaspoon powdered sugar if desired. Stir well and remove from heat.
- Cool Sauce and Top: Let the raspberry sauce cool completely at room temperature, then spoon it evenly over the set panna cotta in each serving dish.
- Garnish and Serve: Decorate with fresh raspberries and mint leaves if desired. Serve the dessert chilled for a refreshing and elegant finish.
Notes
- Ensure the cream mixture is warm but not boiling to avoid curdling the gelatin.
- The gelatin packet used usually contains about 2 1/4 teaspoons – this amount is perfect for this recipe.
- Fresh raspberries provide the best flavor, but frozen can be used if fresh are unavailable.
- If you want a sweeter sauce, adjust the powdered sugar according to your taste.
- For best results, prepare panna cotta a day ahead to allow full setting and flavor melding.
- This dessert can be made gluten-free and vegetarian by ensuring gelatin is a suitable type or using a vegetarian gelatin substitute.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake, Chilling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 ramekin)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 25 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: Raspberry Panna Cotta, Italian dessert, creamy dessert, no-bake panna cotta, gelatin dessert, raspberry sauce dessert, easy dessert recipe
