Silky Yogurt Panna Cotta with Macerated Berries Recipe

Creamy Yogurt Panna Cotta with Sweet Macerated Berries

Creamy yogurt panna cotta is a wonderful twist on a classic Italian treat.

This elegant dessert takes basic ingredients and turns them into something truly special.

Its smooth and silky texture makes each bite a pleasure to enjoy.

The addition of macerated berries brings a burst of color and freshness to the creamy pudding.

These fruits, soaked in sugar, offer a sweet contrast to the gentle tanginess of the yogurt base.

It’s an ideal blend of light and refreshing tastes with rich, creamy goodness in every spoonful.

Why Yogurt Panna Cotta With Macerated Berries Feels So Fancy

  • Quick and Easy Dessert: Whip up this elegant panna cotta in just 20 minutes of active preparation, perfect for busy home cooks looking for a sophisticated treat.
  • Minimal Ingredient Magic: Create a restaurant-quality dessert with just a handful of simple ingredients like yogurt, milk, and fresh berries, making it budget-friendly and accessible.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for dinner parties, date nights, or a special family dessert that impresses without requiring advanced culinary skills, suitable for both novice and experienced cooks.
  • Make-Ahead Marvel: Prepare the panna cotta a day in advance, allowing you to spend more time with guests and less time in the kitchen during special occasions.

Yogurt Panna Cotta With Macerated Berries Ingredient List

Base Ingredients:
  • Milk: Gentle liquid base for creating smooth, creamy texture. Whole milk provides richer results.
  • Greek Yogurt: Thick, tangy dairy component adding richness and slight tang. Full-fat version recommended.
  • Gelatin: Crucial setting agent for achieving perfect panna cotta consistency. Unflavored powder works best.
Sweetening Ingredients:
  • Sugar: Primary sweetener balancing yogurt's tartness. White granulated sugar preferred for clean sweetness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Aromatic flavor enhancer adding warm, subtle depth. Pure vanilla extract recommended over artificial.
Topping Ingredients:
  • Mixed Berries: Fresh fruits providing natural sweetness and vibrant color. Strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries work great.
  • Mint Leaves: Delicate garnish offering fresh, bright accent. Fresh mint preferred over dried.

How To Make Yogurt Panna Cotta With Macerated Berries

Step 1: Prepare Ramekin Surfaces

Lightly spray ramekins with nonstick cooking spray to ensure easy removal later.

Step 2: Activate Gelatin

  • Milk
  • Gelatin powder

Pour milk into a small bowl and sprinkle gelatin over the surface. Allow mixture to sit and soften for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Create Milk Mixture

  • Remaining milk
  • Sugar
  • Softened gelatin

In a saucepan, combine milk and sugar over medium heat. Add gelatin mixture and stir gently until sugar and gelatin completely dissolve. Avoid boiling the liquid.

Step 4: Blend Yogurt Components

Remove from heat and let cool briefly. Whisk in Greek yogurt and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes silky smooth.

Step 5: Chill and Set

Distribute the creamy mixture evenly among ramekins. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 6 hours or overnight until firm.

Step 6: Prepare Berry Topping

  • Mixed berries
  • Sugar

Combine berries with sugar in a bowl. Stir periodically, allowing berries to release their natural juices for about 10 minutes.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Carefully invert each panna cotta onto serving plates. Generously top with macerated berries and add a few fresh mint leaves for a delightful presentation.

Tips For Smooth Yogurt Panna Cotta With Macerated Berries

  • Prevent Lumps: Sprinkle gelatin slowly and evenly over cold milk to ensure smooth dissolution without clumping.
  • Control Temperature: Remove milk mixture from heat just before boiling to maintain delicate texture and prevent gelatin breakdown.
  • Enhance Flavor Depth: Use high-quality Greek yogurt with full fat for richer, creamier panna cotta with more complex taste profile.
  • Master Unmolding Technique: Briefly dip ramekins in warm water for 3-5 seconds to help panna cotta release cleanly without damaging delicate structure.
  • Customize Berry Selection: Mix different berries like strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries for varied colors, textures, and complementary flavor combinations.

How To Keep Yogurt Panna Cotta With Macerated Berries Fresh

  • Refrigerate: Store covered panna cotta in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Use an airtight container or wrap each ramekin tightly with plastic wrap to prevent absorbing other food odors.
  • Separate Berries: Keep macerated berries in a separate sealed container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for 1-2 days.
  • Avoid Freezing: Do not freeze panna cotta, as the texture will become grainy and lose its smooth, creamy consistency when thawed.
  • Serve Chilled: When ready to enjoy leftovers, remove from the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly before serving with fresh berries.

Pairing Ideas For Yogurt Panna Cotta With Macerated Berries

  • Pair with Sparkling Prosecco: Light, crisp bubbles complement the creamy yogurt panna cotta, cutting through its richness while enhancing the fresh berry flavors.
  • Serve with Almond Biscotti: Crunchy, nutty cookies provide a perfect textural contrast to the smooth, silky dessert, adding depth and interest to each bite.
  • Match with Lavender Honey Drizzle: Delicate floral notes and subtle sweetness elevate the dessert, creating a sophisticated layer of flavor that harmonizes with the tangy yogurt and sweet berries.
  • Accompany with Champagne Sorbet: Refreshing, palate-cleansing interlude that links the creamy panna cotta with the macerated berries, offering a elegant and unexpected taste experience.

Flavor Variations For Yogurt Panna Cotta With Macerated Berries

  • Dairy-Free Dream: Replace Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt and use almond milk instead of regular milk for a vegan-friendly version.
  • Protein Power Boost: Swap Greek yogurt with protein-packed silken tofu and use honey as a natural sweetener for added nutrition.
  • Keto Cream Delight: Use heavy cream instead of milk, replace sugar with erythritol, and add a splash of almond extract for a low-carb alternative.
  • Tropical Touch: Incorporate coconut milk in place of regular milk and top with passion fruit or mango instead of berries for an exotic spin.

Questions About Yogurt Panna Cotta With Macerated Berries

  • What is the purpose of blooming gelatin?

Blooming helps gelatin dissolve smoothly and prevents lumps, ensuring a silky texture in the panna cotta by softening the gelatin granules before adding heat.

  • Can I use regular yogurt instead of Greek yogurt?

Greek yogurt is recommended because it’s thicker and creamier, providing a richer texture. Regular yogurt might make the panna cotta runnier and less stable.

  • How do I know if my panna cotta has set correctly?

The panna cotta should be firm and wiggle slightly when gently shaken. If it’s still liquid or too soft, it needs more chilling time in the refrigerator.

  • Why is it important not to boil the milk mixture?

Boiling can break down the gelatin’s setting properties and create a grainy texture. Heating gently helps dissolve sugar and gelatin while maintaining the smooth consistency of the dessert.

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Silky Yogurt Panna Cotta with Macerated Berries Recipe

Silky Yogurt Panna Cotta with Macerated Berries Recipe


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4.6 from 30 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Silky Yogurt Panna Cotta dances with macerated berries in a dessert that whispers Italian elegance. Delicate and creamy, this sweet treat offers a refreshing finale that will make you crave another spoonful.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup plain 0% Greek yogurt
  • 1 ¼ cups 1% milk
  • 4 cups mixed berries (blackberries, raspberries, sliced strawberries)

Gelatin and Sweeteners:

  • ½ tablespoon (0.5 tablespoons) unflavored gelatin
  • 6 tablespoons sugar, divided
  • 3 tablespoons 1% milk

Flavor and Preparation Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 8 small mint leaves, for garnish
  • Nonstick spray

Instructions

  1. Gently coat individual serving vessels with a light mist of cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the dessert.
  2. Create a gelatin base by sprinkling powdered gelatin over cold milk, allowing it to absorb and soften for approximately 10 minutes.
  3. Combine remaining milk and sugar in a small saucepan, heating gently over medium temperature. Incorporate the softened gelatin mixture, stirring continuously until completely dissolved. Maintain a warm temperature without reaching a boiling point.
  4. Remove the milk mixture from heat and allow slight cooling. Whisk in Greek yogurt and pure vanilla extract until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
  5. Distribute the creamy liquid evenly across prepared serving vessels, filling each to approximately one-third capacity.
  6. Refrigerate the desserts, covering with plastic film, for a minimum of six hours or preferably overnight to ensure proper setting and optimal texture.
  7. Prepare berry topping by gently mixing fresh berries with a sprinkle of sugar, allowing them to release natural juices and develop a glossy, sweet maceration.
  8. When ready to serve, carefully invert each panna cotta onto individual serving plates, ensuring smooth release from the mold.
  9. Generously crown each dessert with macerated berries and garnish with delicate fresh mint leaves for an elegant presentation.

Notes

  • Gelatin Tip: Always bloom gelatin in cold liquid to prevent clumping and ensure smooth, lump-free texture.
  • Temperature Control: Remove milk mixture from heat immediately after gelatin dissolves to prevent breaking down its setting properties.
  • Yogurt Selection: Choose full-fat Greek yogurt for richer, creamier panna cotta with better structural integrity.
  • Berry Maceration: Let berries sit at room temperature to release natural
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Chilling
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 160
  • Sugar: 13 g
  • Sodium: 80 mg
  • Fat: 3 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 5 mg
Michael Reynolds

Michael Reynolds

Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Modern American and European Cuisines​, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and global cuisines.​

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

  • Program: Diploma in Pastry Arts
  • Focus: Specialized education in baking and pastry, emphasizing artisanal bread, confections, and plated desserts.​

Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.

Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.

At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.

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