One of the simplest no-bake desserts you can make is this vanilla bean panna cotta (which is also gluten-free). You can serve it in jars and top it with jam for a stress-free dessert and you don't even have to turn on the oven to make it!
How to make vanilla panna cotta
To add vanilla flavour to panna cotta, you can use different types of vanilla, but you will have to add the vanilla at different times in the recipe, depending on the vanilla product you are using:
- if you want to use a vanilla bean to make vanilla bean panna cotta, infuse the milk with a split, scraped vanilla bean BEFORE heating the milk
- if you want to use pure vanilla extract to make vanilla panna cotta, flavour the warmed milk by adding vanilla extract AFTER you take the milk/cream off the stove
- if you want to use vanilla bean paste to make vanilla bean panna cotta, flavour the warmed milk, in the same way you would use vanilla extract, adding the vanilla paste AFTER you take the milk/cream off the stove
What goes with vanilla panna cotta
In general, I like to serve panna cotta topped with berries and fresh fruit in the summer when it's in season. But when fresh fruit isn't an option, a little strawberry jam makes a great topping for panna cotta!
In winter, gingerbread granola is a festive topping for vanilla panna cotta. You can serve panna cotta with homemade cookies like cocoa nib shortbread cookies. You could roughly chop classic shortbread and use that as a crunchy topping too. In the dead of winter, top vanilla panna cotta with three fruit marmalade and in spring, serve it with rhubarb jam (without pectin). Vanilla panna cotta is truly a blank canvas that can be topped with so many fun treats.
To add a ton of pure vanilla flavour to panna cotta, use a vanilla bean instead of extract. If you want a tea-flavoured panna cotta, try this Earl Grey tea panna cotta tarts recipe or this mascarpone panna cotta topped with lemon jelly and served with florentine cookies.
Vanilla bean panna cotta
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 packet (1) Knox unflavoured gelatin powder
- 63 mL (¼ cups) water
- 500 mL (2 cups) skim milk (fat free), or cream, or a mixture of both
- 1 (1) vanilla bean, split in half and scraped
- 25 grams (2 tablespoon) granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon (½ teaspoon) pure vanilla extract
- jam or marmalade
Instructions
- Place the water in a small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin evenly over top. Set it aside to bloom while you work on the rest of the recipe.
- In a small saucepan, combine the cream and/or milk with the split vanilla beans, being sure to scrape all the seeds into the saucepan. Add the granulated sugar.
- Heat the mixture on medium–low until it just begins to steam and is almost about to boil. Take the saucepan off the heat, and whisk in the bloomed gelatin mixture until it has completely dissolved. Let the mixture cool to room temperature before adding the vanilla extract.
- Strain the mixture into 4 or 5 small ramekins or glasses, and transfer to the fridge to chill overnight.
- Enjoy as is, or top with a dollop or two of your favorite jam.
Melissa says
This Makes me feel like spring 🙂 hope you're feeling better. Thank goodness for friends!
musingmar says
Panna cotta is a wonderful thing to make for your friends; it's easy to make but so elegant in presentation and taste. I've never thought to serve mine with jam.
Mardi Michels says
"Panna cotta is one of those easy desserts that you can throw together all while dealing with a life crisis" Janice, this just goes to prove to everyoe how special and talented you are. Do you know how easy it is to mess up panna cotta? Sending hugs (and virtual chocolate) xo