Blackberry Panna Cotta Recipe
Summer brings an abundance of wonderful berries. So, why not make a classic berry dessert with this blackberry panna cotta? It is a simple and easy recipe with only 5 ingredients, and it takes just 10 minutes to prepare. Perfect make-ahead dessert, especially when you want to entertain guests.
Treat yourself to the luscious elegance of blackberry panna cotta—a dessert that epitomizes sophistication with every silky-smooth spoonful. Imagine a creamy, delicately set custard infused with the sweet-tart essence of ripe blackberries, creating a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate.
Why make this homemade panna cotta recipe?
- Customization: Homemade panna cotta offers endless opportunities for customization. You can adjust the sweetness, flavorings, and toppings to suit your taste preferences, making each batch uniquely yours.
- Control Over Texture: Making panna cotta from scratch lets you control the dessert’s texture. You can adjust the gelatin-to-cream ratio to achieve your desired consistency, whether you prefer a firmer set or a softer, more delicate texture.
- Healthier Options: Homemade panna cotta can be made with healthier ingredients, such as low-fat dairy or alternative sweeteners, to cater to dietary preferences or restrictions.
- Satisfaction of Mastery: There’s a sense of accomplishment that comes with mastering the art of making panna cotta from scratch.
Ingredients & substitutes
- Whipping Cream – I have used 38% fat content. You want to use at least 32%, if not more. Low-fat creams will set into a very soft Panna Cotta, which won’t cut into beautiful slices.
- Whole milk – You also need to use whole milk, not low-fat. You can substitute it with almond milk if you prefer.
- Sugar – It is best to use castor or fine-grain white sugar. Since you want the sugar to dissolve easily without affecting the mixture’s color.
- Gelatin – It’s best to use unflavored gelatin so that the strawberry flavor shines beautifully.
- Blackberries – I have used fresh blackberries because they are in season. And yet, you can also use frozen strawberries for the puree. Just pulse and sieve them just the same way.
Step-by-step: Blackberry panna cotta
- Blackberry Puree – Pulse the blackberries in a food processor or blender until smooth. Sieve through a fine mesh to remove seeds. Use one cup for the panna cotta mixture and save the rest for the topping.
Pro tip – Straining the puree will remove the seeds, which will give a velvety texture to the panna cotta.
Panna cotta
- Sprinkle gelatin over the cold milk. Stir and set aside for 3 to 5 minutes to bloom.
Pro tip – Soaking the gelatin will ensure it dissolves into a smooth, not grainy mixture. - In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, heat the cream & sugar until the sugar dissolves and the cream comes to an almost-boil.
- Add the vanilla extract and the soaked gelatin milk. Continue cooking until the gelatin is fully dissolved and the mixture is thoroughly heated.
Pro tip – We do not want to boil the gelatin, as it can make it chewy. - Take the mixture off the heat and add the blackberry puree. Sieve the mixture through a mesh to get any undissolved gelatin or remaining blackberry seeds.
- Gently pour the mixture into individual serving glasses. Let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
Jello
- In a saucepan, combine the remaining blackberry puree with water. Add sugar and gelatin. Let soak for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Heat over medium until all the gelatin dissolves and comes to a boil. Strain through a sieve to remove any seeds. Cool until barely warm.
Pro tip – We want to bring it to the boil and take it off the heat immediately. Cook the gelatin too much, which will make it chewy. - Gently pour over the set blackberry panna cotta. Chill in the freezer for an hour, then remove from the freezer and chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
Pro tip – Chilling in the freezer for an hour will set the jello instantly and prevent it from soaking into the tart. - Pour over the set blackberry panna cotta (over the back of a spoon helps). Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
- Garnish with whipped cream and fresh blackberries.
- Strawberry panna cotta or strawberry panna cotta tart
- Blackberry panna cotta tart
- Blueberry Panna cotta tart
- Mango Panna cotta or mango panna cotta tart
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will this panna cotta keep?
A panna cotta will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Can I reheat the panna cotta mixture?
The cream mixture must be poured into the individual cups while it is still in liquid form. If you wait too long, the gelatin will start to set in the saucepan. If that happens, gently reheat the mixture until it’s warm and liquid again.
Can I make this an eggless blackberry panna cotta?
Yes, you can if you use agar-agar instead of gelatin. Agar-agar is a vegetarian substitute made from seaweed and is more potent than gelatin.
You will need 2 tsp agar flakes for every cup of liquid, so 3 tsp of agar flakes can be used in this cake.
Also, unlike gelatin, agar must be boiled until thickened. So add it to the cream and milk mixture and bring to a boil over medium-low heat until thickened (about 5 minutes).
Can I put this mixture in a shortcrust pastry to make a tart?
Yes, you can. Just as we have done in these tarts- strawberry panna cotta tart, Blueberry Panna Cotta Tart, Blackberry Panna Cotta Tart, or even mixed berries panna cotta tart.
Blackberry Panna Cotta
Summer brings an abundance of wonderful berries, so why not make a classic berry dessert with this blackberry panna cotta? A simple and easy recipe with five ingredients that takes just 10 minutes to prepare. It's a perfect make-ahead dessert, especially when you want to entertain guests.
Video
Ingredients
Panna cotta
- ½ cup (120 ml) Blackberry puree (up to 1 cup)
- 1 cup (250 ml) Whipping cream
- ½ cup (120 ml) Whole milk
- 2 tsp Gelatin
- ¼ cup (50 g) Sugar
- ½ tsp Vanilla extract
Jello
- ½ cup (120 ml) Blackberry puree
- 1 cup (250 ml) Water
- 1 ½ tsp Gelatine
- 2 tbsp Sugar optional
Garnish
- 8 Blackberries
- 1¼ cup (4 tbsp) Whipped cream optional
Method
How to make blackberry puree
- Blackberry Puree – Pulse the blackberries in a food processor or blender until smooth. Sieve through a fine mesh to remove seeds. Use one cup for the panna cotta mixture and save the rest for the topping.
Panna cotta
- Sprinkle gelatin over the cold milk. Stir and set aside for 3 to 5 minutes to bloom.½ cup Whole milk
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, heat the cream and sugar until the sugar dissolves and the cream comes to an almost boiling point.1 cup Whipping cream, ¼ cup Sugar
- Add the vanilla extract and the soaked gelatin milk. Continue to cook until the gelatin is all dissolved and the mixture is well heated.½ tsp Vanilla extract, 2 tsp Gelatin
- Take the mixture off the heat and add the blackberry puree. Sieve the mixture through a mesh to get undissolved gelatin or remaining blackberry seeds.½ cup Blackberry puree
- Gently pour the mixture into individual serving glasses. Let chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
Jello
- Combine the remaining blackberry puree with water. Add sugar and gelatin. Let soak for 3 to 5 minutes.½ cup Blackberry puree, 1 cup Water, 1 ½ tsp Gelatine, 2 tbsp Sugar
- Heat over medium until all the gelatin dissolves and comes to a boil. Strain through a sieve to remove any seeds. Cool until barely warm.
- Gently pour over the set blackberry panna cotta. Chill in the freezer for an hour, then remove from the freezer and chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Pour over the set blackberry panna cotta (over the back of a spoon helps). Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
- Garnish with whipped cream and fresh blackberries.8 Blackberries, 1¼ cup Whipped cream
Notes
- Use High-Quality Ingredients: Opt for fresh, high-quality ingredients, such as heavy cream, whole milk, and fresh vanilla beans, to enhance the flavor and texture of your panna cotta.
- Proper Bloom of Gelatin: Bloom the gelatin properly by sprinkling it evenly over cold water and allowing it to soften for about 5-10 minutes. This step ensures that the gelatin dissolves evenly when heated, resulting in a smooth texture.
- Don’t Boil the Mixture: When heating the cream mixture, avoid boiling it, as this can cause the gelatin to break down and result in a less stable panna cotta. Heat the mixture just until it’s hot and steamy, then remove it from the heat.
- Strain the Mixture: After heating the cream mixture, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps or undissolved gelatin. This step ensures a silky-smooth texture in the finished dessert.
- Chill Thoroughly: Allow the panna cotta to chill in the refrigerator for at least 4-6 hours, preferably overnight, to ensure it sets properly. This step is crucial for achieving the desired firmness and texture.
- Unmold with Care: To unmold the panna cotta, run a knife around the edge of each ramekin to loosen it from the sides. Then, dip the bottom of the ramekin in hot water for a few seconds to help release the panna cotta. Invert the ramekin onto a serving plate and gently tap to release the dessert.
- Serve with Complementary Toppings: Garnish the panna cotta with fresh berries, fruit compote, or a drizzle of caramel sauce to add flavor and visual appeal. These toppings complement the creamy richness of the dessert and enhance the overall presentation.
Equipment you will need
Nutrition
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Flavor wise, it is good but 1 1/2 tablespoons of gelatin in the panna cotta is way too much, my end product was solid and not wobbly like it should be. I think 1 1/2 teaspoons is more like it.
Hi, this dessert looks so good. How much blackberries do I need for the puree and jello? Thanks!
Alonna. You will need approximately 300 grams or 2 cups (little less than a pound) of whole blueberries
Thanks Veena! So sorry if you mentioned that somewhere else but I couldn’t find it.
Thank you for sharing this recipe!! So excited to use our fresh berries!
Thank you
I adore panna cotta and this version looks delicious!
Thank you, Amy
I was looking for a recipe like this, thank you for sharing!
You are very welcome, Shadi
I was looking for a way to use the rest of the blackberries in my fridge and came across this recipe. I’ve never made a panna cotta so I was a little worried it wouldn’t come out, but it worked perfectly. It’s such an impressive dessert.
Thank you, Laura. I am so happy you enjoyed this recipe. yes, it is a very impressive dessert to serve when you have guests. Thank you for coming back to write this feedback
Absolutely delicious! I love berry desserts and this one hits the spot. I can’t wait to make it again with different berries!
Thank you, Luci. Yes, these are great with all kinds of berries. Thanks for the feedback.