Authentic Italian Panna Cotta Recipe Without Gelatin

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Authentic Italian Panna Cotta Recipe Without Gelatin

This panna cotta recipe without gelatin is so creamy. Topped with fresh fruit and homemade strawberry sauce it is sure to become one of your new favorite desserts. 

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Ingredients for Making Gelatin-Free Panna Cotta

This recipe only calls for a few simple ingredients. You will need:

• 2 cups (480 ml) of heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (100g) plain white sugar
• 4 tsp agar agar powder (divided, 2 tsp for the panna cotta, 2 tsp for the strawberry sauce)
• 4 tablespoons of water (divided, 2 Tbsp for the panna cotta, 2 Tbsp for the strawberry sauce)
• 1 lb (450g) fresh strawberries, washed and hulled
• Optional, mint leaves and fresh berries for garnish

How to Make Creamy Panna Cotta

First, place your serving glasses in the refrigerator to chill. This will help the Panna Cotta to set quicker and more evenly. You can use old glass yogurt jars or get serving cups online here:

To make this Panna Cotta recipe without gelatin, we are using agar agar. In a small bowl or saucepan combine 2 tsp of agar-agar powder with 2 Tbsp warm or hot water and stir until dissolved. 

Then pour the cream into a medium saucepan. For best results make sure to use full-fat cream, if you use a light cream or even whole milk the panna cotta will be too thin and not set properly. 

Add the pure vanilla extract and sugar to the cream and cook over medium heat. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves. 

Next, add the agar agar mixture to the cream mixture and stir well. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 1-2 minutes, continuing to stir the entire time to prevent clumping. 

Do not overheat the cream, this will cause it to curdle.

Remove the classic panna cotta mixture from the heat and set aside for at least 5 minutes to cool. 

To achieve a unique tilted appearance to your sophisticated dessert stack one serving glass or cup onto another and slightly tilt. Then pour the creamy dessert mixture into the cup.

Fill 6 serving glasses and place them in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours to set. 

Unlike gelatin, agar agar sets at room temperature and does not require refrigeration to set. But it is recommended to chill the panna cotta and strawberry sauce in the refrigerator until they are fully set for best results.

How to Make the Strawberry Sauce

While the panna cotta sets in the refrigerator, make the strawberry sauce. First, wash, trim, and hull the strawberries. This is the produce wash that we like to use for washing our fresh fruit. It removes any waxes, sprays, and dirt from the produce.

Place the clean strawberries in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. You can strain the strawberry puree through a fine mesh strainer to remove any seeds, (this optional).

In a separate small bowl, combine the remaining 2 tsp of agar agar and 2 Tbsp warm water and stir to dissolve the agar agar. 

Heat the blended strawberries over low heat in a small saucepan and add the agar mixture. Increase the heat and bring the sauce to a boil. Simmer for 1-2 minutes while stirring to combine thoroughly. Remove the sauce from the heat and set it aside for 5 minutes to cool. 

Once the panna cotta is set, remove it from the refrigerator and carefully spoon the strawberry sauce on top of the panna cotta. Place the panna cotta back in the refrigerator again to set for an additional 1-2 hours or overnight. 

Authentic Italian Gelatin Free Panna Cotta

Serve this delicious homemade panna cotta topped with fresh mint leaves and fresh berries. 

This classic Italian dessert is creamy and lightly sweetened with a hint of vanilla. 

Panna cotta is a custard-like dessert and it will have a delicate jiggle. The sauce has a sweet syrup-like consistency and is the perfect topping for this traditional Italian dessert. It is the perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and tangy. It is also perfect for holidays or a summer treat. 

If you have leftovers, store the panna cotta and the sauce in separate air-tight containers for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cover each panna cotta glass with plastic wrap or a lid to prevent skin from forming. 

You Might Also Like

Other jello and panda cotta recipes that you might like:

Make sure to check out our Espresso Panna Cotta recipe. It’s super easy to make, deliciously creamy, and perfect topped with chocolate shavings.

Our coffee jello with condensed milk is made with fresh hot coffee and is also deliciously creamy.

FAQs and Variations

You are always able to adjust this Panna Cotta recipe without gelatin to your own personal preference. Doing so may yield different results.

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