Panna cotta with citrus sauce

Name: Panna cotta with citrus sauce
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: Fresh liquid cream 1 ½ cup; Sugar 0.3 cup; Gelatin in sheets 0.4 oz; Vanilla bean 1; Whole milk ¼ cup; Brown sugar 0.4 cup; Orange juice 1 cup; Lemon juice 3 ½ tbsp; Rice starch 3 ½ tsp; Oranges in segments 7.1 oz; Lemon peel 1; Orange peel 1; Orange liqueur 1.7 oz

it de es fr br

Gluten Free

Difficulty: Average
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Serving: 6
Cost: Average
Note plus 1 night in the fridge to flavor, plus 12 hours in the fridge to set

PRESENTATION

Recipe by
Frau Knam

Panna cotta shows up on Northern Italian tables whenever someone craves something classic with a fresh twist. Really, it's a go-to. This Italian dessert offers a creamy and enveloping texture, with each spoonful almost melting in your mouth. Pretty awesome, right? The base blends sweetened cream with just enough gelatin—enough to hold together without being too firm.

And here's the thing: what really sets this panna cotta recipe apart is the bright citrus sauce drizzled on top. This version mixes orange and lemon—bringing a tangy kick with just the right sweetness to balance it out. Honestly, it's so so good. In Italy, folks love to customize their panna cotta with seasonal variations like this—especially when autumn hits and citrus fruits are at their best.

It’s comforting yet exciting, and that citrus caramel adds a modern twist that goes perfectly with the traditional vanilla undertones. Throughout Northern Italy, panna cotta is known for its simplicity and elegance, making it great for special occasions.

The silky, moist feel of the cream works beautifully with the zingy lemon sauce and rich, golden colors from the orange sauce. This creamy dessert wraps up a meal without being too heavy. Yeah, it's light but satisfying. While many recipes stick to vanilla and cream, there are now fruity or even coffee variations, but this mix of panna cotta and citrus is way way better.

Guests love how the tartness of the fruit sauce cuts through the cream's richness, making each bite intriguing. With roots in Italian tradition yet open to modern updates, this gelatin dessert can turn an ordinary night into something special. And really, whether you’re a fan of tender spoon desserts or just exploring new ways to enjoy citrus, this one keeps things lively. For real. Let this tasty treat bring a taste of Italy to your table, celebrating the best of both tradition and innovation.

INGREDIENTS

for the panna cotta: Fresh liquid cream 1 ½ cup (350 g); Sugar 0.3 cup (60 g); Gelatin in sheets 0.4 oz (10 g); Vanilla bean 1; Whole milk ¼ cup (60 g)

for the citrus sauce: Brown sugar 0.4 cup (80 g); Orange juice 1 cup (250 g); Lemon juice 3 ½ tbsp (50 g); Rice starch 3 ½ tsp (15 g); Oranges 7.1 oz (200 g) - in segments; Lemon peel 1; Orange peel 1; Orange liqueur 1.7 oz (50 g)

Preparation

How to prepare Panna cotta with citrus sauce

To prepare the panna cotta with citrus sauce, first pour the milk into a small bowl, along with the seeds from a vanilla bean and the vanilla bean itself 1. Place in the refrigerator overnight. Then pour it into a small saucepan 2 and add the cream 3.

Add the sugar 4 and stir 5. As soon as it almost reaches boiling, add the previously softened gelatin 6. Stir until it has completely dissolved.

Strain the mixture into a bowl 7 and place it in another bowl with ice water. Stir for a few minutes 8; this way, the seeds will distribute evenly as the mixture begins to thicken. Then pour it into six molds of approximately 80 g each 9.

Place in the refrigerator to solidify for 12 hours 10. Meanwhile, prepare the citrus sauce. Grate the orange zest 11 and the lemon zest 12 and set aside.

Peel the orange to obtain 200 g of segments 13. Pour the orange juice and lemon juice into a saucepan 14; heat it and in another pan pour the brown sugar 15. Distribute the sugar evenly and let it melt until you have obtained a caramel.

Then pour the hot juice in three parts 16, being very careful. Finally, stir 17 and add the orange zest 18.

Add the lemon zest 19 and orange segments 20. Let it cook for a few minutes 21.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, pour the cornstarch and orange liqueur 22, mix well with a whisk and pour the mixture into the pot 34.

Mix well and cook for a few more minutes 25, then strain the mixture 26 and let it cool completely. When the panna cotta is ready, remove it from the molds 27.