What is Panna Cotta? 5 Authentic Italian Panna Cotta Recipes – Mytour

One of the essential desserts for an Italian royal feast is Panna Cotta. Panna Cotta has long been the ideal choice to conclude a feast. Anyone who tastes it is captivated by its irresistible sweetness. So, what is Panna Cotta and why is it so enticing? How to make Panna Cotta? Let's find out in the following article by Mytour!

1. What is Panna Cotta?

Panna Cotta is a dessert made from cream, milk, sugar, and gelatin. This dessert with its delicious flavor appeals to the tastes of many people. The first recipe for Panna Cotta originated in the northern region of Italy, where it was made by thickening milk with fish bones. Nowadays, instead of using fish bones to thicken the cream, gelatin is used to create a smooth and delicate texture in the mouth.

Photo: @hadissgh_

Panna Cotta is beloved by many not just as a dessert but also as a light dish enjoyed by many. There are even birthday Panna Cotta cakes sold at bakeries. Enough to see how widespread this Italian-origin dessert is.

Photo: @laetice_patisse

2. What Sets Panna Cotta Apart from Pudding and Mousse?

Many often confuse the 3 types of desserts: Panna Cotta, Pudding, and Mousse. This is because they have similar textures and shapes. However, paying attention during tasting will easily reveal the differences among these 3 desserts.

Photo: Collection

3. How to Make Passion Fruit Panna Cotta

The subtle tanginess from passion fruit is sure to make anyone enjoying it find it hard to resist. Let's get started with the preparation right away!

Ingredients Needed

• 250 ml fresh milk without sugar
• 250 ml whipping cream
• 6-8 grams gelatin
• 60 grams sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 6 passion fruits
• 50 ml warm water
• 5 grams gelatin
• 80 grams sugar
• 6 100ml glass jars

How to Make Passion Fruit Panna Cotta

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

• Sterilize the jars.
• Leave the milk and whipping cream out of the fridge for 30 minutes.
• Cut the passion fruits in half and scoop out the pulp.

Step 2: Prepare the Panna Cotta Base

• Soak the gelatin in water for about 5 minutes until softened.

Image: Kittchen Stories

• Combine fresh milk, whipping cream, and sugar in a saucepan over low heat.
• Retrieve the soaked gelatin, squeeze out excess water, and add it to the milk mixture.
• Stir well until dissolved, then turn off the heat. Add vanilla, and stir to combine.

Image: Kittchen Stories

Step 3: Prepare the Passion Fruit Sauce

• Add 50 ml warm water to the passion fruit pulp, gently whisk until smooth.
• Strain to remove seeds, extracting the passion fruit juice.

Image: Kittchen Stories

• Add water to make the passion fruit juice reach 200 ml.
• Soak gelatin in water until softened.
• Heat the passion fruit juice and sugar mixture until the sugar dissolves, then turn off the heat.
• Retrieve the soaked gelatin, squeeze out excess water, and add it to the passion fruit mixture, stirring until dissolved.

Step 4: Completion

• Pour the layers of panna cotta mixture and passion fruit sauce alternately.
• Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours before serving.

Image: Collected

See full recipe at:

• How to make passion fruit panna cotta

4. How to make mango panna cotta

Aside from the tangy flavor of passion fruit, mango panna cotta is also a top choice in the summer. The sweet taste of mango combined with creamy panna cotta is extremely delightful. This promises to be a tempting dessert for you.

Ingredients Needed

• 300 ml heavy cream (whipping cream can be used as a substitute)
• 100 ml unsweetened fresh milk
• 84 grams sugar
• 10 grams gelatin leaves
• 75 grams ripe mango
• 15 ml water

Instructions for Making Mango Panna Cotta

Step 1: Making Milk Jelly

• Soak 6 grams of gelatin leaves until softened. Also, add 80 grams of sugar to the heavy cream and fresh milk, simmer over low heat until the mixture is warm, and the sugar is dissolved.
• Note: Do not let the milk mixture boil, as it may cause the cream to separate and lose its delicious creaminess.
• Once softened, squeeze out the excess water from the gelatin leaves, then add them to the cream and milk mixture, stirring gently until the gelatin is fully dissolved in the milk.
• Pour the milk and gelatin mixture into glasses, let it cool, then refrigerate in the fridge for at least 4 hours until completely set.

Image: Collected

Step 2: Mango Jelly

• After a few hours when the milk jelly layer has started to set, you can begin preparing the mango jelly layer. Soak 4 grams of gelatin leaves until softened, and at the same time, puree the mango in a blender until smooth.

Image: Collected

• Heat water and 4 grams of sugar with the mango puree until warm. Squeeze out the excess water from the softened gelatin leaves, then add them to the mango mixture, stirring well until the sugar and gelatin are completely dissolved.

Step 3: Completing the Mango Panna Cotta

Image: Collected

• Once the milk jelly has set, layer the mango jelly on top, allow to cool, and place them in the refrigerator until the mango jelly sets completely.

5. How to Make Strawberry Panna Cotta

Image: Collected

Ingredients Needed

• 10 grams of gelatin
• 2 kiwi fruits
• 1 packet of unsweetened fresh milk
• 250 ml heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt
• 60 grams of sugar (for the Panna cotta)
• 50 grams of sugar (for the strawberry compote)

How to Make Strawberry Panna Cotta

Step 1: Soak 10 grams of gelatin in a little water, stir well, then microwave it. Set the microwave to medium power for 1 minute to dissolve the gelatin completely.

Step 2: Prepare the flour mixture

Image: Collection

Bring 1 packet of unsweetened fresh milk (220ml) to a boil, add 250ml heavy cream, 60 grams of sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, a little gelatin, and stir well.

When the milk is simmering, turn off the heat. Strain the mixture through a sieve and pour it into glasses. Refrigerate for about 4 hours until set.

Image: Collected

Step 3: Making strawberry compote

• Wash and chop 200 grams of strawberries and place them in a saucepan. Add 50 grams of sugar and a small pinch of salt to macerate.
• Macerate until the strawberries dissolve completely, then turn off the heat. Let it cool, then use it to decorate and enjoy the panna cotta.

Image: Collected

6. How to Make Chocolate Truffle Panna Cotta

Image: Pinch and Swirl

Ingredients Needed

• 150 grams dark chocolate
• 8 grams gelatin (4 leaves)
• 300 grams heavy cream
• 35 grams sugar

How to Make Chocolate Panna Cotta

Step 1: Chop Chocolate

Use a knife to chop the chocolate into small pieces. By doing this, the chocolate will melt quickly and evenly when mixed with milk. Then, transfer the chocolate to a bowl.

Step 2: Heat the Milk Mixture

Photo: Pinch and Swirl

Soak 8 grams of gelatin in a bowl, add about 20 ml of cold water, and let it soak for about 15 minutes to soften.

In a saucepan, combine 280 ml of unsweetened fresh milk, 300 grams of fresh cream, and 35 grams of sugar. Heat over low heat until it simmers gently. Stir continuously to prevent burning. Once the mixture is well combined and the sugar is completely dissolved, turn off the heat.

Step 3: Stir the Chocolate Panna Cotta Mixture

Pour the heated milk mixture into the bowl of chopped chocolate, stir gently a few times, then add 8 grams of softened gelatin. Stir by hand until the mixture is completely dissolved.

Photo: Pinch and Swirl

Step 4: Pour into Molds

Photo: Pinch and Swirl

Pour the mixture into glasses, lightly tap to break all the air bubbles, smoothing the surface. Then refrigerate for about 4 hours. When ready to serve, immerse the glasses in a bowl of warm water, making it easier to remove the dessert.

7. How to Make Green Tea Panna Cotta

Photo: The Pioneer Women

Ingredients Needed

Milk Panna Cotta

• 3-4 gelatin leaves
• A dash of vanilla
• 100 ml heavy cream
• 200 ml fresh milk
• 25 grams sugar

Green Tea Panna Cotta

• 2 tablespoons green tea powder
• 200 ml fresh milk
• 30 grams sugar
• 2 gelatin leaves
• 100 ml heavy cream

How to Make Green Tea Panna Cotta

Step 1: Put green tea powder into a bowl, pour boiling water over it, and stir until the green tea powder is completely dissolved.

Photo: The Pioneer Women

Step 2: Cut gelatin leaves in half and soak them in a bowl of cold water for about 5-7 minutes until the gelatin leaves soften. If using gelatin powder, add 2 tablespoons of cold water, stir well, let it sit for a few minutes until the gelatin powder softens.

Step 3: Combine fresh milk and heavy cream in a bowl, add sugar and other ingredients, stir well, then heat the mixture over low heat until it reaches around 70 – 80 degrees Celsius. Turn off the heat and let it cool. Squeeze the gelatin leaves to remove excess water, then add them to the milk mixture and stir until the gelatin dissolves completely.

Photo: The Pioneer Women

Step 4: Place the containers in a small bowl, tilt them at an angle so that when pouring the milk mixture, it separates into two distinct layers. Pour the green tea mixture into the containers and let it cool. Refrigerate for about 1-2 hours until set. Once the mixture has solidified, proceed to make the milk panna cotta.

Step 5: Make the milk panna cotta in a similar manner as the green tea version. Once the milk mixture has cooled slightly, remove the set green tea panna cotta from the containers and pour the milk mixture on top to fill the containers. Return the containers to the refrigerator for another 1-2 hours before serving.

Photo: The Pioneer Women

So here we have just completed making panna cotta with 5 different specialized recipes. With the guidance on making panna cotta and the baking knowledge from Mytour Blog, you'll now have a better understanding of this special dessert to be able to handcraft delicious treats for the whole family. Wishing you all success!

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