This Vanilla Panna Cotta with Strawberry Sauce (which I originally shared over on RecipeGirl's site) is the perfect dessert to wow your Valentine! It looks impressive but is actually easy to make and it serves two! It's also something that you can make in advance so you don't need to be pulling a dessert together during date night!
I've come to actually love a Valentines dinner at home. It's so nice to stay in, put the little ones to bed, and make a dinner together. My husband and I have gone out a few times for Valentine's Day but it's the ones that we've spent at home that I've loved the most. We try to pick new dishes to make, a fun dessert, and just enjoy the evening.
This Vanilla Panna Cotta with Strawberry Sauce is the perfect dessert for date nights! This recipe makes 2 (good sized) servings so you can each have your own little treat! You could also do what we do - share one of these and save the other one for the kids the next day. My kids LOVE these!
You can use whatever container you have on hand to serve these in. I had some little stemless wine glasses but any container will be fine. You can get creative! If you don't have a glass that you like, you can serve it in a shallow bowl or anything you think is cute!
If you've never had Panna Cotta, it has a custard-like texture but is literally "cooked cream" with an amazing vanilla flavor. The cream is sweet and the strawberry sauce is just a little bit tart and they go perfectly together!
Vanilla Panna Cotta with Strawberry Sauce
Ingredients
The Panna Cotta
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 2.5 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ cup white sugar
- pinch of salt
- ½ vanilla bean pod (seeds extracted) or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
The Strawberry Sauce
- 1 cup fresh strawberries (sliced and divided)
- 3 tablespoon white sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
The Panna Cotta
- Place the milk in a small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the milk. Let soak for 5 minutes.
- In a small saucepan, combine the cream, sugar, vanilla seeds, the seeded vanilla bean pod, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a low boil. Let simmer for 5 minutes
- After the 5 minutes, remove the pan from heat and whisk in the milk/gelatin mixture until smooth.
- Strain the liquid through a mesh strainer. (You don't need a super fine strainer as you are not trying to strain out the vanilla beans. You're just trying to strain out any undissolved pieces of gelatin.)
- Pour into your individual glasses, cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
The Strawberry Sauce
- Add ½ of the sliced strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and water to a small saucepan and bring to a slow boil. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in the remaining strawberries
- Let cool completely then spoon over the chilled panna cotta. Refrigerate again until ready to serve.
Leslie says
I love panna cotta. This is a beautiful and elegant dessert for Valentine's Day, or anytime you want an impressive dessert.
Coco and Ash says
Thanks Leslie!
Jaime says
This looks rich and delicious! I love that it looks fancy and intricate, but is actually quite simple to make.
Coco and Ash says
Thanks Jaime! Thats the best part...easy! 🙂
Denisse Salinas says
This is so beautiful and it looks delicious! Perfect for Valentine's Day.
Coco and Ash says
Thanks so much Denisse!
Emily says
I love panna cotta, that strawberry sauce on top looks to die for!
Coco and Ash says
Thanks Emily!
Charla @ That Girl Cooks Healthy says
I wouldn't say know if my mr right presented me with such beautiful panna cotta
Coco and Ash says
haha!! No words needed...just dig in! 🙂