Silky Italian Delight: Raspberry Panna Cotta Recipe for Beginners

Raspberry panna cotta whispers elegance through its silky, trembling texture and luxurious cream-based foundation.

Italian culinary traditions inspire this delicate dessert that balances richness with bright fruit notes.

Smooth and sophisticated, the classic treat changes simple ingredients into a magnificent experience.

Each spoonful promises a dance of creamy consistency and intense raspberry essence.

Minimal preparation meets maximum visual appeal in this stunning confection that speaks volumes about refined taste.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike appreciate its understated complexity and gorgeous presentation.

Prepare to fall in love with a dessert that elevates any dining moment.

Tangy Raspberry Panna Cotta to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

• Luxurious Layered Delight: Raspberry Panna Cotta offers a stunning two-layer dessert that combines creamy lime-infused base with bright raspberry sauce, creating a visual and taste masterpiece.
• Elegantly Simple Technique: This recipe transforms basic ingredients into a sophisticated dessert using straightforward gelatin-setting methods that make professional-grade desserts accessible to home cooks.
• Balanced Indulgence: With a perfect harmony of rich cream, tangy lime zest, and fresh raspberries, this dessert provides a decadent yet not overly heavy treat that satisfies sweet cravings without feeling overwhelming.
• Impressive Presentation Potential: Served in delicate verrines and garnished with fresh raspberries and basil leaves, this dessert becomes an instant conversation starter that looks like it came straight from a high-end restaurant.

Essential Ingredients for Raspberry Panna Cotta

• Cream, Milk: Rich and smooth foundation for the creamy dessert, with full-fat options providing the best texture and flavor.
• Sugar: Sweetens the base and balances the tangy lime zest, choosing white granulated sugar for clean sweetness.

• Gelatin Sheets: Essential for setting the dessert to a perfect, delicate wobble, selecting high-quality, clear gelatin for best results.
• Lime Zest: Adds bright, citrusy notes that complement the creamy base, using fresh limes for maximum aromatic intensity.

• Raspberries, Sugar: Creates a vibrant, sweet-tart sauce layer, selecting ripe, deeply colored raspberries for maximum flavor.
• Additional Gelatin Sheets: Helps set the raspberry coulis to a smooth, glossy finish.

• Fresh Raspberries, Basil Leaves: Provides a beautiful and fresh final touch, choosing bright red raspberries and small, tender basil leaves for visual and flavor contrast.

How to Make a Smooth Raspberry Panna Cotta

Step 1: Prepare Gelatin

Soak gelatin sheets in cold water for 10 minutes until they become soft and pliable.

Step 2: Create Cream Mixture

• Heavy cream
• Milk
• Sugar
• Lime zest

Heat the mixture until it reaches a boil, then remove from heat.

Step 3: Dissolve Gelatin

Squeeze out excess water from softened gelatin sheets and mix into the hot cream blend until completely dissolved.

Step 4: Cool and Set Cream Layer

Allow the mixture to cool for 10 minutes, then pour into chilled serving glasses. Refrigerate for 3 hours to set firmly.

Step 5: Prepare Raspberry Coulis

Soak additional gelatin sheets in cold water for 5 minutes.

Step 6: Cook Raspberry Sauce

Blend raspberries with sugar and bring to a boil over medium heat. Add drained gelatin and stir thoroughly.

Step 7: Layer Raspberry Sauce

Cool the raspberry sauce for 10 minutes, then gently pour over the set cream layer in the glasses. Chill for another hour.

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

• Fresh raspberries
• Small basil leaves

Serve chilled and enjoy this elegant dessert.

Tips for Perfecting Raspberry Panna Cotta

• Master Gelatin Softening: Ensure gelatin sheets are completely submerged in cold water, avoiding any dry spots for smooth, lump-free dissolution.
• Create Silky Texture: Heat cream mixture gently and remove from stove just as it reaches boiling point to prevent scorching and maintain delicate consistency.
• Prevent Lumpy Layers: Let both cream and raspberry layers cool slightly before layering to achieve clean, distinct color separation in your dessert.
• Chill for Perfect Set: Refrigerate panna cotta for minimum recommended time, allowing gelatin to fully firm up and develop rich, creamy texture.
• Garnish with Finesse: Add fresh raspberries and basil leaves just before serving to enhance visual appeal and introduce a subtle, fresh flavor contrast.

Storing and Reheating Raspberry Panna Cotta

• Refrigeration: Store your raspberry panna cotta in an airtight container, covering the top with plastic wrap to prevent moisture absorption. Properly sealed desserts will maintain their delicate texture and flavor for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezing: While possible, freezing is not recommended as the delicate cream structure can separate and lose its smooth consistency. Gelatin-based desserts tend to become grainy and lose their original silky texture when frozen and thawed.
• Reheating: Gently bring the panna cotta to room temperature by removing it from the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving. Avoid direct microwave heating, which can destroy the dessert's delicate structure. Instead, let it naturally warm up to enhance its creamy texture and restore the original flavor profile.

Pairing Raspberry Panna Cotta with Wine

• Pair with Sparkling Rosé: A light, bubbly rosé wine complements the creamy panna cotta's delicate texture while echoing the raspberry's bright, fruity notes. The wine's crisp acidity cuts through the dessert's richness perfectly.
• Match with Lavender Earl Grey Tea: This aromatic tea brings a subtle floral undertone that beautifully enhances the lime zest in the panna cotta. Its gentle warmth provides a soothing contrast to the cool, silky dessert.
• Serve with Dark Chocolate Biscotti: Crisp chocolate biscotti offers a delightful textural contrast to the smooth panna cotta. The bittersweet chocolate complements the dessert's sweet-tart raspberry flavors, creating a sophisticated flavor harmony.
• Accompany with Limoncello: This Italian lemon liqueur mirrors the citrusy lime zest in the dessert while adding a zesty kick. Its sweet-tangy profile elevates the raspberry and cream layers, creating a memorable tasting experience.

Fun Variations of Raspberry Panna Cotta

• Berry Bliss Panna Cotta: Swap raspberries with mixed berries like strawberries and blueberries for a colorful, vibrant dessert that bursts with summer flavors.
• Lavender Lemon Cream: Replace lime zest with fresh lavender and lemon zest to create a fragrant, sophisticated version that hints at elegant French countryside desserts.
• Coconut Tropical Dream: Substitute half the cream with coconut milk and add a splash of vanilla extract for a creamy, tropical-inspired panna cotta that transports you to beachside relaxation.
• Chocolate Raspberry Swirl: Drizzle melted dark chocolate between cream and raspberry layers, creating a rich, decadent dessert that combines classic flavor combinations in one elegant treat.

Raspberry Panna Cotta Recipe

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4.7 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Silky raspberry panna cotta whispers Italian dessert elegance with creamy luxurious texture. Delicate layers of smooth cream and fresh raspberry puree create a perfect balance of sweetness that melts gracefully on palates craving sophisticated indulgence.

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Ingredients

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Main Dairy Ingredients:

• 350 milliliters (11.8 fluid ounces) heavy cream
• 120 milliliters (4 fluid ounces) milk

Sweeteners and Thickeners:

• 75 grams (2.6 ounces) granulated sugar
• 4.5 grams (0.16 ounces) gelatin (about 2 sheets)
• 30 grams (1.1 ounces) sugar
• 1 gram (0.035 ounces) gelatin (about half a sheet)

Fruits and Flavoring:

• 200 grams (7.1 ounces) fresh raspberries
• Zest of 1 lime

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Instructions

1. Immerse gelatin sheets in frigid water for 10 minutes until completely softened and pliable.
2. Combine heavy cream (236 milliliters/8 fluid ounces), whole milk (118 milliliters/4 fluid ounces), granulated sugar (50 grams/), and freshly grated lime zest in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.
3. Heat the dairy mixture over medium temperature, stirring continuously until it reaches a gentle boil, then immediately remove from heat source.
4. Carefully squeeze excess liquid from gelatin sheets and integrate them into the hot cream mixture, whisking until gelatin completely dissolves without leaving any lumps.
5. Allow the creamy liquid to cool for approximately 10-12 minutes at room temperature, preventing rapid temperature changes.
6. Delicately pour the smooth mixture into pre-chilled serving glasses or elegant verrines, ensuring an even distribution.
7. Transfer the filled glasses into the refrigerator and allow them to set firmly for a minimum of 3 hours until they achieve a delicate, trembling consistency.
8. For raspberry coulis, submerge additional gelatin sheets in cold water for precisely 5 minutes to soften.
9. Puree fresh raspberries (170 grams/) with superfine sugar (25 grams/) in a blender until completely smooth.
10. Transfer raspberry mixture to a saucepan and bring to a rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
11. Drain gelatin sheets and incorporate them into the boiling raspberry sauce, whisking thoroughly to ensure complete integration.
12. Allow raspberry coulis to cool for 10-12 minutes at ambient temperature.
13. Gently cascade the vibrant raspberry sauce over the set lime cream layer in each verrine, creating an elegant two-toned effect.
14. Return desserts to refrigerator and chill for an additional hour to allow layers to solidify.
15. Before serving, garnish each dessert with fresh whole raspberries and delicate, torn basil leaves for a sophisticated presentation.

Notes

• Gelatin is the secret weapon for achieving that perfect, silky-smooth texture in this dreamy dessert.
• Chilling time is crucial for allowing the layers to set and develop their distinct, luscious flavors.
• Fresh raspberries and delicate basil leaves transform this simple panna cotta into a restaurant-worthy showstopper.
• Precision in heating and cooling ensures the cream and fruit layers remain distinct and beautifully layered.
• Zesty lime adds a bright, unexpected twist that cuts through the richness of the creamy base.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 306 kcal
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 31 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg