For about the last month I have become completely obsessed with panna cotta.  Probably because I tried a bite at a local restaurant, realized how good it was, and been addicted ever since.

Last week, on my birthday, we ate at another restaurant where Panna Cotta was served for dessert, and I soon was asking, “how hard can this be to make at home?”

I soon did my research, ran across this recipe on All Recipes, and began trying it at home:

And it was a complete success.  I adapted the recipe above a bit.

Ingredients Needed:

1 Envelope Unflavored Gelatin

1/3 Cup Milk or Water

2 1/2 Cups Heavy Cream (I used Half & Half)

1/2 Cup Sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 Cup Water

For Jello Topping:

1 small box Orange Jello

1 Cup Cold Water

1 Cup Hot Water

1/2 Cup Ice Cubes

Directions:

In a medium saucepan, combine heavy cream and sugar together.  Bring to a boil.   In another small bowl, combine unflavored gelatin and milk or water together.  Stir until gelatin is dissolved.  Combine this into the boiling cream for one minute.  Take off stove top and add in Vanilla Extract then pour into small glasses.  Refrigerate for 4 hours, if not, overnight.

3 Hours later begin making your jello.  Bring 1 Cup Water to a boil.  Add into Orange Gelatin.  Stir together for two minutes.  Add in cup of cold water and 1/2 Cup ice cubes.  Stir until ice cubes are completely melted.  Pour Jello on top of the Panna Cotta mixtures.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours after this process, but recommend longer.

Then Garnish with features.  Often times people will place the glasses in hot water so the panna cotta pops out of the glass to showcase in a decorative manner.

Needless to say, I am hooked from this day forward and will be creating more Panna Cotta recipes down the road.  What I love about this recipe is that it’s as basic as they come and easily adaptable.  Add in different flavor extracts in place of the vanilla, add different jello toppings or even fruit compotes to create a fun and easy dessert.