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Orange blossom panna cotta brûlée is a silky Italian custard topped with a thin caramelized crust of sugar and honey. This panna cotta recipe has a citrusy sweetness and an indulgently rich, creamy texture so it’s a top dessert choice.
After you try this, check out my Cherry Panna Cotta, Passion Fruit Panna Cotta and Banana Creme Brulee.
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Panna cotta is the cool, creamy, decadent dessert of your dreams. And the classic recipe is enhanced with orange blossom water, for a light, refreshing treat that’s perfect for the spring and summer. With a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of sugar, the creme brûlée topping makes this the best panna cotta recipe you’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting!
Why This Panna Cotta Recipe Works
- Great for Special Occasions – Impress your guests with a dessert thats tasty enough to be featured on an Italian restaurant menu. Whether’s it’s Valentine’s Day or a dinner party, this suits the occasion.
- Easy to Make – Don’t let the fancy aesthetic fool you! This no bake dessert takes just 20 minutes of on-hands prep. The fridge does most of the work, as it chills and solidifies.
- Make Ahead Recipe – This recipe has to be made in advance because it takes a few hours to properly set. However, it also lasts up to 72 hours in the fridge so make this a day or two ahead of a special event. That’s one less thing on your day-of to-do list!
What is Panna Cotta?
Panna cotta is a traditional Italian custard dessert. “Panna cotta” means cooked cream in Italian. this eggless custard is a velvety smooth, cooked cream that’s usually set with gelatin, for a slight jiggle.
Panna Cotta Ingredients
Although gelatin is a key ingredient, panna cotta made without gelatin yields the same results. Agar-agar is the perfect vegetarian alternative.
- Agar-agar – This natural gel is derived from seaweed. A little goes a long way, helping to give the custard just enough bounce so it’s not rubbery.
- Heavy cream – This enriches the custard, lending a creamy mouthfeel.
- Whole milk –The second part of the base for th.
- Orange blossom water – Swap the more predictable vanilla extract with orange blossom water. This infuses the custard with floral and citrus notes for tasty depth.
- Sugar – This sweetens the custard and helps to balance the flavors.
Panna Cotta Brûlée Toppings
- Honey
- Sugar
How To Make Panna Cotta
To make panna cotta cream, constantly stir, gradually adding the ingredients. But first, hydrate the agar-agar.
- Add agar-agar, milk, heavy cream, and sugar and to a medium saucepan, add kefir (or whole milk), cream, and sugar. Warm over medium-low heat until mixture comes to a simmer, keeping a constant whisk. Cook until the mixture begins to simmer (you should see rapid small bubbles). Turn off heat then add orange blossom water. Stir until fully incorporated.
- Leave cream mixture to cool for 15 minutes then distribute among 4 ramekins and place in the refrigerator to set for 4 hours or overnight.
Honey Brûlée Topping
- When ready to serve, top each panna cotta with a thin layer of honey.
- Then add enough sugar to cover the top with a think layer of sugar.
- Carefully torch in a circular motion, 4 inches away from the top, until sugar melts and turns an amber color. Serve immediately.
Tips and Tricks
- Constantly whisk the cream mixture as it warms. This ensure an even distribution of the ingredients and prevents lumps from forming.
- Allow the dessert to set for at least 4 hours in the fridge. Overnight is ideal.
- If the panna cotta does not fully set, simply add it back to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer then transfer it back to the ramekin.
- When caramelizing the sugar topping, use a kitchen torch in a circular motion. Also, maintain a safe distance to prevent burning and ensure an evenly caramelized crust.
- Panna cotta tastes best served directly out of the fridge. Once the brûlée topping sets, serve immediately.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container or tightly wrap each ramekin with plastic wrap. Keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Tips for Making Panna Cotta with Agar-Agar
- Do the agar-agar test. Activate it by testing a small spoonful on a cold plate. If the cream sets, then you’re good to pour into ramekins.
- Agar-agar needs enough time and water to fully hydrate. If agar-agar mixture looks gritty, simply add more water to thin it out and set aside for 5 minutes before adding to the remaining ingredients.
- Agar-agar needs to cook to near boiling temp in order to fully activate. Otherwise, the panna cotta will not fully set.
Variations
Although I love this orange blossom variation, there are so many ways to flavor this dessert.
- Mango – Use mango puree for mango panna cotta.
- Chocolate – Add cocoa to the cream mixture for a chocolatey treat.
- Vanilla – Vanilla extact is a key ingredient in the classic dessert.
- Toppings – Try fruit toppings like fresh strawberries, blueberries, or blackberries. You could try orange zest, caramel, or even mint leaves for garnish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is panna cotta made with?
Use cream, milk, sugar, and a thickener (like agar-agar or gelatin) to make panna cotta.
What’s the difference between creme brulee and panna cotta?
Creme brulee is thicker and creamier than panna cotta, which has a softer, more gelatinous consistency. Creme brulee is a baked dessert made with egg yolks, whereas panna cotta is cooked on the stovetop, without eggs.
Is panna cotta the same as pudding?
Panna cotta is not pudding but more like it’s elegant cousin. It’s a bit thicker and has more shape than pudding. And while pudding can be thickened with egg yolks, cornstarch or flour, panna cotta never contains eggs and is usally made with gelatin.
Looking for More Dessert Recipes?
- Whipped Cottage Cheese with Nectarine Peach Compote
- Easy Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe
- Pots de Creme
- Thai Tea Creme Brulee
- Sticky Toffee Pudding with Banana
- White Rabbit Ice Cream Recipe
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Orange Blossom Panna Cotta Brûlée
Orange blossom panna cotta brûlée is a silky Italian custard topped with a thin caramelized crust of sugar and honey. This panna cotta recipe has a citrusy sweetness and an indulgently rich, creamy texture so it's a top dessert choice.
Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes minutes
Chil 4 hours hours
Total Time 4 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
Servings 4 servings
Author Jeri Mobley-Arias
Course Dessert
Cuisine Italian
Equipment
saucepan
Candy Thermometer
4 5-Ounce Ramekins
Kitchen Torch
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoons agar-agar
- 1¼ cups heavy cream
- ¾ cup whole milk
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1¾ teaspoons orange blossom water
Brûlée Topping
- honey
- sugar
Instructions
Add agar-agar, milk, heavy cream, and sugar and to a medium saucepan, add kefir (or whole milk), cream, and sugar. Warm over medium-low heat until mixture comes to a simmer, keeping a constant whisk. Cook until the mixture begins to simmer (you should see rapid small bubbles). Turn off heat then add orange blossom water. Stir until fully incorporated.
Leave cream mixture to cool for 15 minutes then distribute among 4 ramekins and place in the refrigerator to set for 4 hours or overnight.
Honey Brûlée Topping
When ready to serve, top each panna cotta with a thin layer of honey and enough sugar to cover the top in a thin layer. Carefully torch in a circular motion, 4 inches away from the top, until sugar melts and turns an amber color. Serve immediately.
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