Valentines Day Strawberry Panna Cotta (Printable)

Silky creamy vanilla panna cotta topped with fresh strawberry sauce, ideal for a romantic Italian treat.

# Components:

→ Panna Cotta Base

01 - 2 cups heavy cream
02 - 1/2 cup whole milk
03 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1 1/2 tsp powdered gelatin
05 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
06 - Pinch of salt

→ Strawberry Sauce

07 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
08 - 2 tbsp granulated sugar
09 - 1 tsp fresh lemon juice

→ Garnish

10 - Fresh strawberries, sliced
11 - Mint leaves

# Directions:

01 - Sprinkle powdered gelatin over milk in a small bowl and let sit undisturbed for 5 minutes to bloom.
02 - Combine heavy cream, sugar, and salt in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves and cream reaches a steaming consistency without boiling.
03 - Remove saucepan from heat. Add bloomed gelatin to warm cream mixture and whisk vigorously for 1-2 minutes until completely dissolved and smooth.
04 - Stir in vanilla extract and mix thoroughly to distribute flavor evenly throughout the cream base.
05 - Pour mixture evenly into 4 serving glasses or ramekins. Cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours until firmly set.
06 - Combine chopped strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until berries soften and release their natural juices.
07 - Mash strawberries slightly with the back of a spoon or blend until reaching desired consistency. Allow sauce to cool completely before serving.
08 - Spoon cooled strawberry sauce generously over each set panna cotta. Top with fresh sliced strawberries and mint leaves for presentation.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Luxurious Texture: The combination of heavy cream and whole milk creates a velvety mouthfeel.
  • Perfect Balance: The sweetness of the vanilla cream is perfectly offset by the tartness of the strawberry sauce.
  • Make-Ahead Friendly: Since it needs time to chill, you can prepare this dessert well in advance.
02 -
  • Bloom the Gelatin: Always let the gelatin sit in the cold milk first to ensure it hydrates properly and dissolves without lumps.
  • Chill Time: Give the dessert at least 4 hours to set; however, leaving it in the fridge overnight produces the best results.
  • Sauce Texture: If you prefer a refined look, strain the strawberry sauce through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the seeds.
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