Panna cotta flavoured with vanilla and topped with an orange jelly, the simplest of desserts.
Panna cotta flavoured with vanilla and topped with orange jelly is a very simple dessert to prepare, easy for even the most novice cook. These desserts are served in small glasses, a mini perfect dessert for a larger dinner party as they can be prepared ahead of time.
What is panna cotta?
Panna cotta is an Italian dessert made with cream and milk and set with gelatin (panna cotta means "cooked cream" in Italian). A little sugar is added to sweeten the cream, however I find this dessert doesn't require too much added.
I started making Italian panna cotta when my eldest daughter wanted to cook in the kitchen with me. She wanted to make "pudding" however had a severe egg allergy at the time.
That's when the idea came for this simple vanilla panna cotta recipe, with no egg this was the perfect dessert to get her started on. It also happens to be quick to prepare so she didn't loose interest - a must when cooking with young children!
Can panna cotta be made ahead of time?
This dessert is was created with the idea of a larger dinner or a drinks party in mind. To successfully host this type of event, it's essential that some elements can be prepared ahead of time.
This is my go-to prep ahead dessert, as if covered it will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days before you need to serve it. To stop a skin from forming on top, place some cling film directly on top of the set dessert.
Can you freeze panna cotta?
I don't like to freeze panna cotta, due to the high dairy content. Cream has a tendency to split during the freezing and defrosting process which can make the dessert grainy.
Can I make this recipe as a larger dessert?
I have made mini desserts, to show how easy they are to cater for a large party. Made this way they are ideal for a New Year's drinks party as part of a buffet.
Served in these shot glasses they work as individual desserts that guests can help themselves to. However the amount of liquid for this panna cotta recipe also serves 4 as a dessert.
How do you stop panna cotta becoming grainy?
Panna cotta can become grainy, and it's often due to the addition of too much gelatin. Avoid this by only adding as much gelatin as is required to set the dish.
I always recommend reading the instruction on the pack of gelatin beforehand, nobody will thank you for set cream the consistency of rubber!
This panna cotta recipe also suggests passing the liquid through a fine sieve before pouring into the glasses. I do this to remove any small lumps or pieces of flavouring, such as pieces of vanilla pod or citrus zest. You want an nice smooth creamy liquid.
What other flavour substitutions can I make?
Citrus:
Panna cotta is basically cooked cream so it's really simple to add alternative flavourings. Replace the vanilla pod with some finely grated zest of lemon or orange for a citrus twist.
Chocolate:
Chocolate panna cotta is delicious, melt some dark chocolate in with the cream, and for chocolate orange twist add some orange zest in with the chocolate.
Coffee:
Coffee is another great flavouring with this dessert, add strong cold coffee to the cream.
Top tip! With both the chocolate and coffee flavours you will be adding extra liquid so measure again before adding the gelatin. Always read instructions on the gelatin pack to get the right ratio of liquid to gelatin!
Allergy information
Does panna cotta contain eggs?
There are no eggs in the recipe, making this a great dessert for anyone suffering from an egg allergy.
Suitable for a gluten free diet?
It is also suitable for coeliacs or anyone following a gluten free diet. For this reason it's often my go-to dessert when feeding a crowd.
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Additional recipe suggestions
If you like this recipe then try some of our other desserts:
- Lemon Panna Cotta with Raspberry Jelly
- Easy Lemon Tiramisu with Limoncello
- Individual Sherry Trifles
- Profiteroles with Chestnut Cream
- Christmas Pavlova
- Vanilla Baked Cheesecake with Mulled Plums
For more inspiration have a read of our No Bake Desserts post which contains helpful hints and tips as well as a great selection of our favourite no bake dessert recipe.
Mini Vanilla Panna Cotta with Orange Jelly
Ingredients
Vanilla Panna Cotta
- 250 ml double cream
- 250 ml whole milk
- 25 g caster sugar
- 1 vanilla pod
- 3 sheets gelatin
Orange Jelly
- 300 ml fresh orange juice
- 2 sheets gelatin
Instructions
Vanilla Panna Cotta
- Pour the double cream and milk into a small saucepan and stir in the sugar. Split the vanilla pod in half and scrape out the seeds. Add both the seeds and the vanilla pod to the saucepan.
- Place the 3 gelatin sheets for the panna cotta into a bowl and cover with cold water. Set aside for 5 minutes to allow the sheets to soften.
- Meanwhile place the saucepan over a medium heat and bring to a simmer, ensuring the sugar is dissolved. Remove the vanilla pod.
- Squeeze any excess water from the gelatin sheets and place them into the hot milk. Whisk to combine and thoroughly melt the gelatin.
- Pour the milk mixture through a fine sieve into a measuring jug. This will remove any loose pieces of vanilla pod left in the milk and also make the liquid easier to pour.
- Pour the milk mixture evenly between 8 small serving glasses. Allow to cool then cover and set aside in the fridge for at least two hours to set.
Orange Jelly
- Heat the orange juice up in a saucepan.
- Place the 2 gelatin sheets for the orange jelly into a bowl and cover with cold water. Set aside for 5 minutes to allow the sheets to soften.
- Once the gelatin is soft place it in the warm orange juice and whisk to combine. Again pour the liquid through a fine sieve into a measuring jug. Allow to cool for 10 minutes.
- Remove the panna cotta from the fridge and gently pour over the orange jelly, ensuring an even amount in each glass. Cover the glasses and place back in the fridge for a further 2 hours to allow the jelly to set.
- When ready to serve remove the panna cotta from the fridge and serve immediately.
Notes
• Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only •
Jenny Walters says
What a fabulous dessert. My husbands absolute favourite. I'm bad as I have never made it! Def pinned for future brownie points. I love to get ahead for dinner parties too. Can't be doing with brain bleed and having to chat. Thank you so much for sharing this with #BakingCrumbs
Michelle says
Thanks Jenny, its such an easy pudding and so many variations to it. Lemon is my other favourite. Hope you enjoy it. Cheers, Michelle x
Monika Dabrowski says
I've never made this dessert but it looks really appealing with the 2 layers, one creamy, one fruity, plus it doesn't have much sugar and that's always a good thing in a dessert. Looks very stylish!
Lesley says
Thank you Monika, it’s such a pretty dessert and easy to make. I like the lower sugar content, a great dessert for those trying to cut back on their sugar intake. Lesley x
Cat | Curly’s Cooking says
I love panna cotta but have never tried making it myself. These look absolutely delicious and the jelly on top makes them extra special.
Lesley says
Thank you Cat, you should give it a try as it’s so easy to make. The flavours are really easy to play with, so use what you fancy. Chocolate orange is next on my list. Lesley x
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie says
Wow - they look GORGEOUS. Perfect for a Christmas party! Eb x
Lesley says
Thank you Eb, they are so easy to make, a perfect prep ahead party dessert. I just need to remember to make plenty as they tend to go fast! Lesley x
Kat (The Baking Explorer) says
They look so elegant and pretty
Lesley says
Thank you Kat, this is such a simple dessert, but one that does look really pretty. Lesley x
Jo Allison / Jo's Kitchen Larder says
I love panna cotta and usually order it when eating out but really should try to make my own considering how simple it is plus you cannot beat make ahead desserts! The orange jelly on top makes such a tasty little addition plus it looks so so pretty. Definitely perfect dessert when entertaining.
Lesley says
Thank you Jo, like you panna cotta is a favourite dessert of mine too. It's my go-to prep ahead dessert. Lesley x
Chloe Edges says
Looks absolutely stunning guys - the colour is amazing. And it looks so easy to make too.
Lesley says
Thank you Chloe, these are indeed very pretty desserts. They never last that long after you put them out either, there's never leftovers! Lesley x
Lou | Crumbs & Corkscrews says
Wow, these panna cotta look absolutely perfect and I bet they taste amazing too! Especially the tang of the orange with the creamy vanilla. They would go down a storm in our house, especially for a Christmas dessert.
Lesley says
Thank you Lou. These are a great make ahead dessert, everybody loves them in our house. I get my daughter to prep them on Christmas Eve, ready for Christmas day. That said they never make it as far as Boxing Day leftovers! Lesley x