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HomeMealtimeRecipesDessert

Panna Cotta with Balsamic Strawberries

4.50 from 4 votes
Angela SellariBy Angela Sellari
Angela Sellari
Angela Sellari Founder of AboutAMom

Angela is the founder of About A Mom and currently acts as a content creator and editor-in-chief for the About A Mom Team. She has been a professional blogger for over 10 years. Angela has appeared…

Expertise: Content Creation & Editing View all posts →
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On my quest this week to find the ultimate Valentine’s Day dessert, I happened upon an Ina Garten recipe on Food Network.

Heart-shaped panna cotta with balsamic strawberries and lemon zest on a striped plate.

Chocolate is always so popular on Valentine’s Day, but I wanted to find something a little different that packed the same WOW factor as all the decadent chocolate desserts plastering the pages of Pinterest over the last few weeks. This Panna Cotta with Balsamic Strawberries Sauce recipe is a  real show stopper. Having never made Panna Cotta before, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. The tangy sweet Balsamic Strawberry sauce is the perfect accompaniment to the rich and creamy Panna Cotta custard.

I’ve been eager to use these cute heart-shaped ramekins that my daughter picked up from Williams-Sonoma a few years back. But if you don’t have heart ramekins any shape will do just fine.

Heart-shaped ramekins filled with panna cotta mixture, alongside a bowl of sliced balsamic strawberries.

Panna Cotta with Balsamic Strawberries is the ultimate Valentine’s Day date night recipe!

Panna Cotta with Balsamic Strawberries Sauce

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 packet (1 teaspoon) unflavored gelatin powder
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons cold water
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, divided
  • 1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped
  • 1/3 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
  • 2 pints (4 cups) sliced fresh strawberries
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Freshly grated lemon zest, for serving
Panna cotta with balsamic strawberries and lemon zest in a heart-shaped bowl.

Directions:

Step 1: In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin on 1 1/2 tablespoons of cold water. Stir and set aside for 10 minutes to allow the gelatin to dissolve.

Step 2: Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup of the cream, the yogurt, vanilla extract, and vanilla bean seeds. Heat the remaining 3/4 cup of cream and the 1/3 cup of sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Off the heat, add the softened gelatin to the hot cream and stir to dissolve. Pour the hot cream-gelatin mixture into the cold cream-yogurt mixture and stir to combine. Pour into 4 (6 to 8-ounce) ramekins or custard cups and refrigerate uncovered until cold. When the panna cottas are thoroughly chilled, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Step 3: Combine the strawberries, balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, and pepper 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving. Set aside at room temperature.

Step 4: To serve, run a small knife around each dessert in the ramekin and dip the bottom of each ramekin quickly in a bowl of hot tap water. Invert each ramekin onto a dessert plate and surround the panna cotta with strawberries. Dust lightly with freshly grated lemon zest and serve.

Panna Cotta with balsamic strawberries, topped with lemon zest, on a striped plate.
Heart-shaped panna cotta with balsamic strawberries and lemon zest on a striped plate.

Panna Cotta with Balsamic Strawberries

Angela Sellari
Savor this silky Panna Cotta with Balsamic Strawberries recipe. A creamy, gluten-free dessert with tangy berries, perfect for Valentine's Day.
4.50 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Refrigeration + Resting Time 8 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Total Time 9 hours hrs
Course Dessert
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 430 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 packet 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin powder
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons cold water
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream divided
  • 1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 vanilla bean split and seeds scraped
  • 1/3 cup sugar plus 1 tablespoon
  • 2 pints 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Freshly grated lemon zest for serving

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin on 1 1/2 tablespoons of cold water. Stir and set aside for 10 minutes to allow the gelatin to dissolve.
  • Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup of the cream, the yogurt, vanilla extract, and vanilla bean seeds. Heat the remaining 3/4 cup of cream and the 1/3 cup of sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Off the heat, add the softened gelatin to the hot cream and stir to dissolve. Pour the hot cream-gelatin mixture into the cold cream-yogurt mixture and stir to combine. Pour into 4 (6 to 8-ounce) ramekins or custard cups and refrigerate uncovered until cold. When the panna cottas are thoroughly chilled, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
  • Combine the strawberries, balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, and pepper 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving. Set aside at room temperature.
  • To serve, run a small knife around each dessert in the ramkein and dip the bottom of each ramekin quickly in a bowl of hot tap water. Invert each ramekin onto a dessert plate and surround the panna cotta with strawberries. Dust lightly with freshly grated lemon zest and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 430kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 5gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 22gSodium: 55mgFiber: 0.1g
Keyword Panna Cotta with Balsamic Strawberries
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

About Angela SellariContent Creation & Editing

Angela is the founder of About A Mom and currently acts as a content creator and editor-in-chief for the About A Mom Team. She has been a professional blogger for over 10 years. Angela has appeared in numerous TV segments, advertising campaigns and her work has been featured by many top publications. She lives in Tampa, Florida.

Reader Interactions

Published: Feb 2, 2014 | Updated: May 17, 2026
4.50 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




  1. Billie says

    Posted on 2/3 at 1:53 PM

    I’ve never made nor even tasted panna cotta, but I’m quite sure I’d like it!

    Reply
  2. Marcie W. says

    Posted on 2/3 at 8:05 PM

    My husband recently received an upscale sweet balsamic as a gift. This would be such a great recipe to use it in and it looks delicious!

    Reply
  3. Jenn says

    Posted on 2/3 at 9:23 PM

    Oh yum. And the presentation is so festive for February!

    Reply
  4. Donna says

    Posted on 2/3 at 11:38 PM

    I love balsamic and strawberries, but I’ve never made panna cotta before… this is on my to try soon list!

    Reply
  5. Vanessa: thequeenofswag says

    Posted on 2/3 at 11:55 PM

    Looks amazing and so perfect for Valentine’s Day!

    Reply
  6. TerriAnn @ Cookies & Clogs says

    Posted on 2/4 at 1:27 AM

    Never had panna cotta but I do enjoy balsamic strawberries! Love how colorful your dessert is!

    Reply
  7. Debi@TheSpringMount6Pack says

    Posted on 2/4 at 8:08 PM

    Oh wow. That looks amazing. I have to try it.

    Reply
  8. Theresa @ Faith and Family Reviews says

    Posted on 2/4 at 10:31 PM

    It looks amazing! I don’t think I have ever made anything like this before.

    Reply
  9. Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says

    Posted on 2/5 at 1:56 AM

    It sounds really Valentine perfect to me. I want to scoop a spoonful up immediately.

    Reply
  10. Janet W. says

    Posted on 2/5 at 7:28 AM

    This looks so festive and a great dish to enjoy with my husband on Valentine’s Day! Looks delicious!

    Reply
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