Homemade Strawberry Panna Cotta
Give your classic Italian dessert a strawberry treat with this elegant strawberry panna cotta. Surprisingly easy to make with just 5 ingredients and 10 minutes to prepare. Perfect make-ahead dessert for entertaining guests or date nights.
The two Italian desserts that are perfect to entertain are a panna cotta or a Tiramisu. Am I wrong? Both can be made ahead and both are elegant as they are delicious. The best part is they are both so easy to make.
We are a huge dessert-loving family so making dessert at home often is not uncommon. And yet, you must see the big smile in the house when we have panna cotta in the fridge. It doesn’t matter what flavor, but the most popular one with my kids is vanilla, strawberry, blueberry, blackberry or mango.
About this Strawberry Panna Cotta
As I said, it takes only 10 minutes to make this dessert and needs only 5 ingredients. I bet all of these are probably already in your kitchen. There are two components to this dessert.
- The cream mixture – A basic panna cotta is made with cream, milk, gelatin, and sugar.
- The fruit variation – Today we add the strawberry puree to give make this a strawberry flavor.
The process is fairly simple too
- Pulse the fruit – 2 mins
- Cook the panna cotta mixture – 5 mins
- Combine the above two – 2 mins
- Pour into cups – 2 mins
- Chill – 4 hours or overnight
- Garnish – 2 mins
Useful Tips and Tools
- Use a clean cutting board and utility knife to cut fruits – make sure these have not been used for strong ingredients like garlic or onions before.
- You can use a blender or food processor to pulse the strawberries – I love my hand blender for everything
- A heavy-bottom saucepan works best to cook fruits as it prevents burning on the bottom
- You can use dessert serving glasses, or ramekins to set the panna cotta.
Ingredients and substitutes (Save/Pin)
- Whipping Cream – I have used 38% fat content for my whipping cream. You want to use a minimum of 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 with almond milk if you prefer.
- Sugar – It is best to use castor or fine grain white sugar. You want the sugar to dissolve easily without affecting the color of the mixture.
- Gelatin – It’s best to use unflavored gelatin so that the strawberry flavor shines beautifully.
- Strawberries – I have used fresh strawberries 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.
How to Make a Strawberry Panna Cotta (Save/Pin)
Pulse the strawberries
- Pulse the strawberries and sugar 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.
Prepare panna cotta
- Sprinkle gelatin over the cold milk. Stir and set aside for 3 to 5 minutes.
- In a heavy-bottom saucepan, heat the cream & sugar until sugar dissolves and cream comes to an almost boil.
- Add the vanilla and the soaked gelatin milk.
- Continue to cook until the gelatin is all dissolved and the mixture is well heated through.
- Take the mixture off the heat and add one cup of strawberry puree.
- Sieve the mixture through a mesh to get any undissolved gelatin or remaining strawberry seeds.
- Gently pour the mixture into individual serving glasses
- Let chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours
Topping & garnish
- Divide the remaining strawberry puree between the chilled individual panna cotta.
- Garnish with fresh strawberries
- Enjoy
Frequently Asked Questions
A panna cotta will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Panna Cotta is best served cold. So, you must chill the tart for a minimum of 3 to 4 hours for the gelatin to set. After that, you can keep it at room temperature for an hour or so depending on the weather. Gelatin will start to soften in warm, room temperature. Hence, it’s best to bring the tart out close to serving time.
Yes, because the milk mixture sets with the gelatin, there is no fear of the pastry getting soaked with the milk mixture. A perfect make-ahead dessert for any occasion. You can make this tart 2 days ahead as well.
No, it’s best to use gelatin. You can use strawberry gelatin if you get but not a jello mix. Those are with sugar added and not enough gelatin. As a result, the consistency of your Panna Cotta will be very soft.
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 liquidy again.
Yes, you can if you use agar-agar instead of gelatin. Agar-agar is a vegetarian substitute made from seaweed and more potent than gelatin.
You will need 2 tsp agar flakes for every cup of liquid so in this cake 3 tsp of agar flakes can be used.
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).
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
Absolutely, you can try blackberry, blueberry, mango, mixed berries. If you want you can omit the fruit to keep it classic vanilla too.
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Strawberry Panna Cotta
Print Pin RateDescription
Ingredients
FOR THE PANNA COTTA
- 250 ml (1.06 cups) Milk
- 250 ml (1.06 cups) Whipping cream
- 1/4 cup (1/4 cup) Sugar
- 1 tbsp (1 tbsp) Gelatin
- 1 tsp (1 tsp) Vanilla extract
- 1 cup (1 cup) Strawberry puree below
FOR THE STRAWBERRY PUREE
- 450 grams (0.99 lb) Strawberries
- 2 tbsp (2 tbsp) Sugar
- 4 (4 ) Strawberries for garnish
Instructions
PULSE THE STRAWBERRIES
- Pulse the strawberries and sugar 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.
PREPARE PANNA COTTA
- Sprinkle gelatin over the cold milk. Stir and set aside for 3 to 5 minutes.
- In a heavy-bottom saucepan, heat the cream & sugar until sugar dissolves and cream comes to an almost boil.
- Add the vanilla and the soaked gelatin milk.
- Continue to cook until the gelatin is all dissolved and the mixture is well heated through.
- Take the mixture off the heat and add one cup of strawberry puree.
- Sieve the mixture through a mesh to get any undissolved gelatin or remaining strawberry seeds.
- Gently pour the mixture into individual serving glasses
- Let chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours
TOPPING & GARNISH
- Divide the remaining strawberry puree between the chilled individual panna cotta.
- Garnish with fresh strawberries
- Enjoy
Equipment
Nutrition Information
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
About Videos – most recipes has two videos – a quick version & longer detailed version. Sometimes a similar recipe video may be used
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Debbie
You combined to of my favorite things..Panna Cotta and Strawberries. This is a must try for me ,and you make it look so easy. I just might make this for Valentine’s Day this year. I can’t wait.
Veena Azmanov
It is so easy, Debbie. I hope you try it.
Jess
Oh heck yes! This looks and sounds amazing! How would you be able to stop at just one serving! Yuuuum!
Veena Azmanov
Yes, that’s the hardest part, Jess.
kita
I haven’t had panna cotta in so long! The strawberries would be amazing – so fresh and light! I absolutely can’t wait to make this.
Veena Azmanov
It’s so easy Kita. You must try.
Claire
What a delicious and easy dessert. I’m sure it would be perfect for Valentine’s Day. I’m definitely going to have to pin it and give it a try later!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Claire.
Kelly Anthony
This strawberry panna cotta will be perfect for serving at our next supper club. I love that I can make them the day before so I can focus on the main course.
Veena Azmanov
Absolutely, Kelly. You must try and let me know how it was.
GUNJAN C Dudani
I have never tried panna cotta earlier but wanted to for a long time. Never had the opportunity. But your recipe looks inviting so now I will definitely give it a try.
Veena Azmanov
This is a simple and easy recipe Gunjan. You must try.
Marisa F. Stewart
What a pretty dessert. I love that it’s in a glass – you can see the beautiful layers. This would make a wonderful Valentine Day dessert or even Mother’s Day.
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Marisa.
Nicoletta De Angelis Nardelli
Strawberry and panna cotta you can’t go wrong with that! Pretty and delicious! In Italy, I am used to seeing panna cotta served upside down on a plate because you have to see that it stands and jiggles 🙂 .
Veena Azmanov
Yes, you often get that as well. I like it in a glass.. tall and pretty.
Anna
Can’t go wrong with a timeless classic like this panna cotta! Love the creamy and silky- smooth texture of it, plus it’s so easy to make and it never fails to impress!
Veena Azmanov
Absolutely, a classic it is, Anna. Thanks
Michelle
This panna cotta is just perfectly light and fresh! I know this will go down a treat!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Michelle. It is definitely light and creamy
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
It is great that this dessert can be put together so quickly! It looks delicious and the perfect option for date nights or if friends drop round unexpectedly!
Veena Azmanov
Yes, very quick Bintu. You must try.
Helen @ family-friends-food.com
These look delicious and fruity and I love how simple they are to make. I’ll be giving the vegetarian version a try when strawberry season starts here.
Veena Azmanov
Yes, very simple to make Helen.
Helen of Fuss Free Flavours
Panna Cotta is such a successful pudding, and easy to make. A strawberry version sounds delicious, and I love the thin layer of strawberry on top. Serving in individual glasses is such a good idea.
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Helen. I hope you try this.
Alice | SkinnySpatula
Never had strawberries with panna cotta – definitely must try!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Alice. A wonderful combination. You must try.
Chef Dennis
I have guests coming in this week and I’m thinking of the perfect recipe I can serve for them. This strawberry panna cotta looks really mouthwatering! I’m sure they’ll love it!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Chef Dennis. I think you will love it too.