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This single serving panna cotta is a creamy, lightly sweetened Italian dessert made with simple ingredients like milk, cream, sugar, and gelatin. Gently heated and chilled until set, it has a smooth, pudding-like texture and is perfect served plain or topped with fruit or sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Made with just a few basic pantry staples.
- Quick & Easy: Comes together in minutes with no special equipment.
- Single Serving: Perfectly portioned for one person.
- Elegant: Beautiful whether served in a dish or unmolded onto a plate.
- Light & Creamy: A refreshing dessert that’s smooth and satisfying.
If you’ve never made panna cotta before, you’re in for a treat. This classic Italian dessert, which translates to “cooked cream,” has a smooth, silky texture similar to a light custard or pudding. It’s made by gently warming cream, milk, sugar, and gelatin just enough to dissolve everything, then chilling it until set. The result is a lightly sweetened, creamy dessert that feels both simple and special.
What I love most about this panna cotta is how easy it is to make with just a few ingredients. You can serve it right from the ramekin or unmold it onto a plate for a more elegant presentation. Add fruit, a sauce, or enjoy it plain. Either way, it’s a lovely, satisfying way to end a meal.
Looking for more elegant single serving desserts? Try our lemon posset for one, single serving vanilla custard, classic flan for one, or rich butterscotch pudding for one.
Ingredients
See recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Whole Milk and Heavy Cream: Use a mix of both for a smooth, creamy texture. Using low-fat milk will result in a softer set.
- Unflavored Gelatin: Helps the panna cotta set properly. Look for plain gelatin in the baking aisle.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds flavor. Use pure vanilla extract for the best taste.
If you have any ingredients leftover from this single serving panna cotta recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
Recipe Variations
Here are a few simple ways to change up the flavor of your panna cotta:
- Almond: Add 1/8 teaspoon of almond extract for a subtle, nutty flavor.
- Mint: Infuse the cream with fresh mint or use it as a garnish for a refreshing finish.
- Citrus: Mix in 1/8 teaspoon of lemon juice or zest for a bright, fresh taste.
How To Make Panna Cotta
- Prepare the Gelatin: Pour the milk into a small saucepan. Evenly sprinkle the gelatin over the surface and let it sit for 5 minutes to soften.
- Warm the Milk: Place the saucepan over low heat. Stir constantly for about 2 minutes until the gelatin dissolves. Do not let the milk simmer or boil.
- Add Sugar and Cream: Stir in the sugar until dissolved. Then add the cream and continue stirring until fully combined.
- Add Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Chill: Pour the mixture into a ramekin or dessert bowl. Refrigerate until set, about 4 hours or overnight.
Expert Tips
- Use Gentle Heat: Warm the milk, cream, and sugar over low heat. Avoid boiling, which can prevent the gelatin from setting properly.
- Soften Gelatin Properly: Let the gelatin sit in cold milk for at least 5 minutes before heating. This step ensures it dissolves evenly.
- Strain If Needed: For an ultra-smooth panna cotta, pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer before chilling.
- Plan Ahead: Panna cotta needs time to set. Chill for at least 2 hours if serving in the dish, and at least 4 hours or overnight if you plan to unmold it.
- Use Quality Vanilla: Since vanilla is the main flavor, using a good-quality extract makes a noticeable difference.
How To Unmold and Serve Panna Cotta
Panna cotta can be served straight from the dish or unmolded for a more elegant presentation.
- Serve as-is: Enjoy it directly from a ramekin, small jar, coffee cup, or wine glass.
- Unmold for presentation: Lightly coat the inside of the dish with cooking spray before pouring in the mixture. Once set, run a thin knife around the edge. Dip the bottom of the dish in warm (not hot) water for about 5 seconds, then invert onto a plate. If it doesn’t release, repeat the warm water step.
Panna Cotta Topping Ideas
Panna cotta is delicious on its own, but you can easily dress it up with toppings:
- Small Batch Pan Fried Apples: Warm, lightly spiced apples add comfort and texture.
- Single Serving Cranberry Jam: Tart and fruity for a sweet-tart contrast.
- Single Serving Caramelized Plums: Rich and elegant with deep flavor.
- Small Batch Lemon Curd: Bright and tangy for a zesty finish.
- Homemade Whipped Cream: A classic topping with fresh berries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gelatin is essential for setting panna cotta. Without it, the mixture won’t firm up properly.
If you’re serving it in the dish, chill it for at least 2 hours. If you plan to unmold it onto a plate, refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
If your panna cotta is too liquid, it’s likely because the gelatin didn’t fully dissolve or the mixture was accidentally boiled. Boiling can weaken gelatin and prevent it from setting properly. It’s also important to chill the panna cotta for the full recommended time to let it firm up.
Once chilled, panna cotta will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Yes, double the ingredient amounts and use a 2-quart saucepan.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this easy panna cotta recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see!
Panna Cotta For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup whole milk
- ½ teaspoon powdered unflavored gelatin
- 1 ½ tablespoons sugar
- 6 tablespoons heavy cream
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Gelatin: Pour the milk into a small saucepan. Evenly sprinkle the gelatin over the surface and let it sit for 5 minutes to soften.
- Warm the Milk: Place the saucepan over low heat. Stir constantly for about 2 minutes until the gelatin dissolves. Do not let the milk simmer or boil.
- Add Sugar and Cream: Stir in the sugar until dissolved. Then add the cream and continue stirring until fully combined.
- Add Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Chill: Pour the mixture into a ramekin or dessert bowl. Refrigerate until set, about 4 hours or overnight.
Notes
- Use Gentle Heat: Warm the milk, cream, and sugar over low heat. Avoid boiling, which can prevent the gelatin from setting properly.
- Soften Gelatin Properly: Let the gelatin sit in cold milk for at least 5 minutes before heating. This step ensures it dissolves evenly.
- Strain If Needed: For an ultra-smooth panna cotta, pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer before chilling.
- Plan Ahead: Panna cotta needs time to set. Chill for at least 2 hours if serving in the dish, and at least 4 hours or overnight if you plan to unmold it.
- Use Quality Vanilla: Since vanilla is the main flavor, using a good-quality extract makes a noticeable difference.
Panna cotta can be served straight from the dish or unmolded for a more elegant presentation.
- Serve as-is: Enjoy it directly from a ramekin, small jar, coffee cup, or wine glass.
- Unmold for presentation: Lightly coat the inside of the dish with cooking spray before pouring in the mixture. Once set, run a thin knife around the edge. Dip the bottom of the dish in warm (not hot) water for about 5 seconds, then invert onto a plate. If it doesn’t release, repeat the warm water step.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Easy and delicious