Italian Panna Cotta Recipe: Silky, Creamy & Easy

If you're looking for an elegant dessert that takes very little effort, this Italian panna cotta recipe is a wonderful choice. Made with cream, milk, sugar, vanilla, and gelatin, panna cotta is a classic Italian dessert known for its smooth texture and delicate flavor.

The name panna cotta means “cooked cream” in Italian. The cream mixture is gently heated, combined with gelatin, and chilled until softly set. The result is a silky dessert that feels luxurious without requiring an oven or complicated baking techniques.

This easy panna cotta is ideal for dinner parties, holidays, romantic dinners, or any occasion when you want to prepare dessert ahead of time. Serve it in individual ramekins or unmold it onto plates and finish with fresh berries, fruit sauce, caramel, or chocolate.

Why You'll Love This Panna Cotta Recipe

Silky and creamy: Heavy cream gives this dessert its rich mouthfeel, while gelatin helps it set into a delicate, spoonable consistency.

Only five ingredients: You don't need a long shopping list or specialized equipment to prepare this classic dessert.

No baking required: Simply warm the ingredients on the stovetop, pour into serving dishes, and refrigerate.

Perfect for entertaining: Individual portions look elegant and can be prepared the day before your event.

Easy to customize: Fresh fruit, berry coulis, caramel, espresso, and chocolate all pair beautifully with vanilla panna cotta.

Naturally gluten-free ingredients: The basic recipe uses no wheat flour, although you should check packaged ingredients and toppings if preparing it for someone with gluten-related dietary restrictions.

Italian Panna Cotta Recipe

Guiseppe

Servings

6

Prep Time

5 minutes

Cook Time

10 minutes

Calories

418

Cuisine

Italian

Category

Dessert

This easy panna cotta recipe creates a silky, creamy Italian dessert with just 5 ingredients. Perfect make-ahead treat for dinner parties or special occasions!

Ingredients

• ⅓ cup skim milk
• 1 (0.25 oz) envelope unflavored gelatin
• 2 ½ cups heavy cream
• ½ cup white sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Pour milk into a small bowl. Sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the top and stir until combined. Set aside to soften for about 5 minutes.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream and sugar. Heat over medium flame until the mixture just begins to boil — watch closely so it doesn’t overflow.
3. Immediately stir the softened gelatin mixture into the hot cream. Stir continuously for about 1 minute, until the gelatin fully dissolves.
4. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Pour the mixture evenly into 6 ramekins or small dessert cups.
5. Allow to cool uncovered for about 20 minutes. Then cover each ramekin with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight, until fully set.
6. To serve, run a thin knife around the edges and invert onto a plate, or serve directly in the ramekins. Top with fresh berries, fruit sauce, or chocolate drizzle.