This Strawberry Panna Cotta is the best gluten free summer dessert! It's made with fresh strawberries, mint, and lightly drizzled with honey.
When it comes to warm weather desserts, it doesn't get any better than this Strawberry Mint Panna Cotta. It basically tastes like summer in a glass!
Panna cotta is one of my favorite desserts for a number of reasons. It's naturally gluten free, requires no baking, and is incredibly versatile. This Italian dessert can be customized in terms of what is added to, or served on top of it.
This panna cotta is prepared with heavy whipping cream, gelatin, sugar, and vanilla extract. These ingredients are combined and then chilled in the refrigerator for a few hours to form a sort of custard.
The panna cotta is then topped with fresh strawberries that have been tossed in lemon juice and mint. The strawberries are spooned on top of the dessert and the whole thing is drizzled with a bit of honey.
This is a great recipe to prepare if you don't feel like turning on the oven and prefer desserts that are not overly sweet. As an added bonus, it's one of those desserts that feels fancy, but in reality is super easy to make.
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What Is Panna Cotta?
Panna cotta is a naturally gluten free Italian dessert that's served cold and made with heavy whipping cream, sugar, and unflavored gelatin. These three ingredients are simmered in a sauce pan and then poured into some kind of serving vessel.
Panna cotta literally means 'cooked cream' in Italian. The cooked cream is chilled in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving. It can be enjoyed as-is, or topped with anything from caramel to nut butter to fruit compote.
It's one of those 'blank canvas' desserts that's great served at dinner parties, because it can be customized so many different ways.
Panna cotta is cool and creamy, making it a light and refreshing dish to serve during the warm summer months. The texture is similar to a chilled pudding or custard.
Ingredients For Strawberry Panna Cotta
Here's what you'll need to make it.
- ¼ cup Cold Water
- 2 ¼ tsp. Unflavored Gelatin (equals 1 packet)
- 2 cups Heavy Whipping Cream (equals 1 pint or 16 oz.)
- ¼ cup Sugar
- 1 tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract
- 3 cups Fresh Strawberries (sliced)
- 2 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
- ⅓ cup Fresh Mint plus more for garnish (minced)
- 2 Tbsp. Honey (split)
How To Make Panna Cotta
Panna cotta is one of the easiest desserts out there. It requires no baking or complicated steps.
All that's needed is to combine some gelatin with a bit of cold water and allow it to set for 10 minutes or so.
The gelatin mixture is then added to heavy whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla extract in a small saucepan. The heavy cream mixture is simmered just until the sugar and gelatin has dissolved.
The mixture is then poured into serving vessels until it reaches room temperature. Once it reaches room temperature, the panna cotta is transferred to the fridge until it sets. This usually takes about 2 hours.
- Start by pouring ¼ cup of cold water into a small mixing bowl. Sprinkle 1 packet (equals 2 ¼ tsp.) unflavored gelatin into the cold water. It's important to use unflavored gelatin, as flavored gelatin will affect the taste of the panna cotta.
- Allow the gelatin and water mixture to sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes until it sets. The mixture will form a gel-like texture.
- Place a sauce pan onto the stove top. Add 2 cups of heavy whipping cream, ¼ cup sugar, and 1 tsp. vanilla extract to the sauce pan. Heat the mixture to just below a boil, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.
- Add the gelatin mixture to the sauce pan and continue to stir as it simmers just under a boil. Stir until the gelatin has dissolved.
- Remove the sauce pan from the heat and set aside.
If you love cool and creamy desserts, check out this Cookies and Cream Ice Cream and No Churn Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream!
Does Panna Cotta Need To Be Refrigerated?
In order for the panna cotta to set correctly, it needs to be chilled in the refrigerator before serving.
However, for food safety, it's best to allow the warm heavy cream mixture to come to room temperature before transferring it to the fridge to chill completely.
I recommend allowing the warmed heavy cream to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before transferring it to the refrigerator.
- Pour the cooked cream mixture into 4 small glasses (or serving vessels of choice).
- Allow the heavy cream mixture to come to room temperature (this usually takes about 30 minutes).
- Once the cream mixture has reached room temperature, transfer the glasses to the refrigerator and allow to set for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
I also recommend pouring it into whatever vessel you plan to serve it, so that you don't have to scoop it into a separate vessel once chilled and disturb its shape. Panna cotta will mold to whatever shape in which the cooked cream mixture is poured.
Panna cotta may be served in any type of drinking glass or serving vessel. I love these short drinking glasses, but you can feel free to use mason jars, ramekins, stemless wine glasses, lowball glasses, martini glasses, or any variety of small dessert dishes.
I recommend opting for glass or metal instead of plastic.
How To Make Strawberry Mint Topping
This panna cotta is topped with fresh strawberries that are tossed in lemon juice and fresh mint, making it the perfect dessert to serve while berries are in season!
It's easy to make and can be prepared while the panna cotta is setting in the refrigerator.
- To make the topping, wash and trim 3 cups of fresh strawberries.
- Cut the strawberries in halves or quarters, depending on the size of the berries.
- Squeeze 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice, making sure to remove any seeds.
- Mince ⅓ cup fresh mint leaves.
- Place the chopped strawberries in a large mixing bowl and add 2 Tbsp. lemon juice and the minced mint. Toss until the berries are completely coated in the lemon juice and mint.
- Place the bowl of strawberries in the fridge until the panna cotta has set.
Can I Use Frozen Strawberries?
Yes, frozen strawberries may be used instead of fresh, but the texture will differ slightly.
It's best to thaw frozen strawberries before use. Frozen strawberries may be thawed overnight in the refrigerator, in a cold water bath, or heated in the microwave.
If using frozen strawberries, simply thaw and then complete the rest of the steps as directed.
Check out this article to learn How To Thaw Frozen Strawberries for the best results!
Love strawberries? Don't miss these recipes!
- Strawberry Mascarpone Tartlets
- Strawberry Mojito Mocktail
- Scandinavian Almond Cake with Strawberries
- Greek Yogurt Oatmeal Cups
Can Panna Cotta Be Made Ahead?
Another great thing about panna cotta is that it can be made the day ahead.
It needs at least 2 hours to set in the refrigerator, but it can set for up to 24 hours, making it a great dessert to prepare ahead of time if needed.
- To serve the strawberry panna cotta, spoon a generous amount of the strawberry mint mixture over the top of each one after the cream mixture is completely set.
- Drizzle 1 tsp. or so of honey over the top of the strawberries (feel free to add more honey if you prefer more sweetness).
- Garnish with a fresh mint sprig.
Feel free to use maple syrup, agave nectar, or brown rice syrup in place of the honey if you prefer.
You can also sub raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, or any combination of berries in place of or in addition to the strawberries if you prefer.
Can Panna Cotta Be Frozen?
Panna cotta is one of those desserts that's best enjoyed fresh, or within a few days.
Freezing it would adversely affect the taste and texture, so I do not recommend freezing it.
It does last 2-3 days stored in the fridge. The panna cotta can be stored topped with the strawberry mixture, or in separate containers and topped just before serving.
FAQ
It's important to cook the heavy cream mixture to just under a boil. Boiling it will lessen the effectiveness of the gelatin and it won't thicken properly. It's also important to make sure that the gelatin fully dissolves in the cream mixture.
Panna cotta should be wobbly when set. It should be slightly firm, but not hard.
Panna cotta may be set in the freezer instead of the refrigerator, but it will likely set unevenly. For best results, allow it to set in the fridge if possible.
Looking for more old fashioned desserts? Don't miss these recipes!
- Blueberry Buckle
- Old Fashioned Rhubarb Bread
- Baked Lemon Doughnuts
- Rhubarb Streusel Muffins
- Gluten Free Rhubarb Cake
- Gluten Free Biscuits
- Coffee Banana Bread
Love panna cotta? Check out these recipes!
Love Strawberries? Don't Miss These Recipes!
Strawberry Shortcake with Lemon Cream
Strawberry Angel Food Cake
Easy Strawberry Pie
Strawberry Panna Cotta with Mint and Honey
Ingredients
- ¼ cup cold water
- 2 ¼ tsp. unflavored gelatin equals 1 packet
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream equals 1 pint
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups fresh strawberries washed and trimmed
- 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
- ⅓ cup fresh mint minced
- 2 Tbsp. honey or sweetener of choice
Instructions
For The Panna Cotta:
- Pour ¼ cup of cold water into a small mixing bowl. Sprinkle 1 packet 2 ¼ tsp. of unflavored gelatin over the cold water. Allow the gelatin to sit for 10 minutes at room temperature until it blooms. The mixture will become gel-like.
- Place a sauce pan onto the stove top. Add 2 cups of heavy whipping cream, ¼ cup sugar, and 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract to the sauce pan. Heat the mixture to just below a boil, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.
- Add the gelatin mixture to the sauce pan and continue to stir as it simmers just under a boil. Stir until the gelatin has dissolved. Remove the sauce pan from the heat and set aside.
- Pour the cooked cream mixture into 4 small glasses (or serving dishes of choice). Allow the heavy cream mixture to come to room temperature (this takes about 30 minutes).
- Once the cream mixture has reached room temperature, transfer the glasses to the refrigerator and allow to set for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
For The Strawberry Topping:
- Wash and trim 3 cups of fresh strawberries. Cut the strawberries into quarters or halves, depending on the size of the berries. Add the juice of ½ lemon (about 2 Tbsp.) to the strawberries and toss to coat.
- Squeeze 2 Tbsp. of fresh lemon juice, being careful to remove any seeds before adding it to the strawberries.
- Mince ⅓ cup of fresh mint leaves.
- Place the chopped strawberries in a large mixing bowl and add 2 Tbsp. lemon juice and the minced mint. Toss until the berries are completely coated in the lemon juice and mint.
- Place the bowl of strawberries in the fridge until the panna cotta has set.
- To Serve: Once the panna cotta is set, spoon a generous amount of the strawberry mint mixture over the top of each one. Drizzle each panna cotta with 1 tsp. (or more) of honey and garnish with a sprig of mint.
Noelle
I love this recipe, so simple and delicious!