We just hosted our first holiday party of the season last night at our house and here is one of the desserts I wanted to share with you first (they'll be more to come!) . I love these panna cottas topped with a mixed berry compote because they are gluten-free, present beautifully, taste delicious, and are super easy to make! They're a real life saver when you're hosting a party and already have a lot on your plate.
I still remember the first time I had this dessert at a party and one of our friends thought it was the most delicious thing ever. He literally ate over 10 of these and exclaimed, "these are so good!", each time he reached for another one. Since it was my first time meeting him that day, I have forever remembered him as "the guy at the party who ate all the panna cottas".
For the berry compote, you can use both fresh or frozen berries and yes, you do need to use the lemon. Some berries are already naturally tart but they can also be a little bit flat compared to that mouth-watering high acidity that lemon can bring to any dish.
Panna Cotta is a dessert that is simply "boiled cream". It's a creamy base that pairs wonderfully with the tarty berry compote. These contrasting flavours are amazingly addictive! It was like deja-vu all over again when my guests told me that "they are so good!", while grabbing another one and asking that I pack some home for them.
I hope you enjoy making this easy dessert and I'm positive you'll get the same enthusiastic response to it as well. Remember to show me how you display these pretty babies and your holiday baking. I'll be over on IG and FB.
Xoxo,
Mimi
Recipe
Mixed Berry Panna Cotta
An easy to prepare mixed berry panna cotta. Prepare them in under 30 minutes with no baking involved. All the ingredients can be found at any grocery store. Rich, creamy and tart. They are so delicious!
Ingredients
Easy Panna Cotta
- 1 ¼ cup half and half (see Note 1)
- 2 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
- 1 ¾ cups heavy cream
- 45 grams granulated sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Mixed Berry Compote
- 2 cup mixed berries (e.g. blueberries, pomegranate, raspberries, strawberries, cherries) see Note 2
- 1-2 tablespoons of granulated sugar to taste
- 2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 lemon
Instructions
- Start recipe a day ahead as panna cotta will need to set in the fridge.
- Put 2 tablespoons of the half and half in a small cup and sprinkle the gelatin on top evenly to bloom.
- Put the rest of the milk, sugar and salt into a sauce pan on low heat but do not let it boil. If it does, immediately remove it from the heat. Keep a constant watch over as it can over-boil very quickly.
- Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.
- Add the cream and stir until fully incorporated. Do not let boil.
- Whisk in the bloomed gelatin.
- Take off heat.
- Add vanilla extract.
- Stir gently until the mixture has come to room temperature.
- Pour the mixture into shot glasses or ramekins. Before pouring into each new glass or ramekin, stir the mixture to prevent it from separating.
- Place in an air tight container in the fridge to set overnight. Once set, add the berry sauce on top.
- Cut lemon in half. Remove all the seeds.
- In a small bowl, dissolve cornstarch in the water.
- On medium heat boil 2 cup of mixed berries in a pot.
- Add 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar. Add the remaining sugar if a sweeter taste is desired. Boil until sugar is fully dissolved. Once the mixture begins to bubble up, remove from the heat to prevent the fruit from becoming too soft.
- Squeeze the lemon juice into the mixture to taste.
- Add the cornstarch into the mixture, stir until fully incorporated and the mixture has thickened. It will thicken further as it cools.
- Let the mixture cool off and then place in the fridge.
- When you’re ready to serve the panna cotta, add it on top. Can be made 1 or 2 days before serving.
Easy Panna Cotta
Mixed Berry Panna Cotta
Notes
1. Whole milk can be used to substitute but half and half is preferable to prevent separation into different layers after setting.
2. Frozen berries were used in this recipe.
Nutrition Information
Yield
16Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 134Total Fat 11gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 36mgSodium 28mgCarbohydrates 7gFiber 0gSugar 6gProtein 2g
This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although indulgewithmimi.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
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Ruthie says
When using frozen fruit, should the fruit be thawed and drained first or just thrown right in the pan, frozen? Thanks!
Mimi says
straight from frozen is fine, saves time 🙂 XoXo Mimi
Leticia Carlos says
Can't wait to try this. I am taking an Italian class and on our last day we are suppose to bring Italian food. I think this will work!
Mimi says
How nice! I'm so happy you like it! I hope it worked out.
xoxo
Mimi
Berny @ I Only Eat Desserts says
Haha I feel like great minds think alike. I've been trying to perfect panna cotta for a while but mine taste more like jelly than wobbly panna cotta. I'll need to try your recipe 🙂
Mimi says
Awe, I'd love to hear how you did! They are so pretty to display too so you can really get creative 🙂
Jo says
You're right, it sounds so easy. I might try these. They looked soooo good!
xo Jo
http://www.whiterosesandcoffee.com/
Mimi says
I'm sure you can do it! No baking at all and there's so little ingredients needed. It's the perfect no fuss dessert when you're in a hurry 🙂