Orange Blossom Panna Cotta Brûlée (2024)

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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.

Orange Blossom Panna Cotta Brûlée (1)

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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!
Orange Blossom Panna Cotta Brûlée (2)

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.

Orange Blossom Panna Cotta Brûlée (3)
Orange Blossom Panna Cotta Brûlée (4)

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
Orange Blossom Panna Cotta Brûlée (5)
Orange Blossom Panna Cotta Brûlée (6)

How To Make Panna Cotta

To make panna cotta cream, constantly stir, gradually adding the ingredients. But first, hydrate the agar-agar.

  1. 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.
  2. 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

  1. When ready to serve, top each panna cotta with a thin layer of honey.
  2. Then add enough sugar to cover the top with a think layer of sugar.
  3. Carefully torch in a circular motion, 4 inches away from the top, until sugar melts and turns an amber color. Serve immediately.
Orange Blossom Panna Cotta Brûlée (7)
Orange Blossom Panna Cotta Brûlée (8)

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.
Orange Blossom Panna Cotta Brûlée (9)

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.

Orange Blossom Panna Cotta Brûlée (10)

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
Orange Blossom Panna Cotta Brûlée (11)

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Orange Blossom Panna Cotta Brûlée (12)

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
  • cups heavy cream
  • ¾ cup whole milk
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 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.

Keywords How to make panna cotta, panna cotta, Panna cotta cream, panna cotta ingredients, panna cotta recipe, panna cotta recipe Italian, panna cotta recipe without gelatin, Panna cotta toppings, What is panna cotta

Did you make this recipe?Leave a comment below and tag @whisperofyum on Instagram and hashtag it #whisperofyum!

Orange Blossom Panna Cotta Brûlée (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between crème brûlée 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.

What does panna cotta mean in Italian? ›

Panna cotta means “cooked cream” in Italy, and that's essentially what the base is: heated heavy cream (often with a little half-and-half or whole milk) set with powdered gelatin and flavored with vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste.

What does panna cotta taste like? ›

What Does Panna Cotta Taste Like? Panna cotta is all about the mouthfeel: The smooth, velvety cream has enough tension to hold up to a spoon but melts in the mouth. The best panna cotta has an understated character, highlighting the inherent sweetness of the dairy and the warmth from a fresh vanilla bean.

How is panna cotta different from custard? ›

There's one main distinction that makes the two desserts so different, and it has to do with their makeup. Pudding and custard are thickened with egg yolks to give them their traditional appearance. Instead of egg yolks, panna cotta is hardened with gelatin, and egg yolks are not present within the recipe.

What is the French version of panna cotta? ›

Blancmange (/bləˈmɒnʒ/, from French: blanc-manger [blɑ̃mɑ̃ʒe], lit. 'white eat') is a sweet dessert popular throughout Europe commonly made with milk or cream and sugar, thickened with rice flour, gelatin, corn starch, or Irish moss (a source of carrageenan), and often flavoured with almonds.

Is panna cotta like crème caramel? ›

Similar in texture to an Italian panna cotta, crème caramel is actually made without the addition of gelatin or starches: the eggs will thicken the mixture themselves and, with gentle and careful cooking, will give you a perfect texture, smooth and compact, but at the same time enveloping and velvety.

Do you eat panna cotta cold? ›

In summer, why not accompany it with seasonal fruit and serve cold. The great thing is that you can prepare it in advance and eat it the next day. It can be kept in the fridge for up to 48 hours. Making panna cotta at home is very simple.

Why is panna cotta popular in Italy? ›

Panna cotta, which translates to "cooked cream" in Italian, is believed to have originated in the Piedmont region of Northern Italy. Although its exact origins are shrouded in culinary history, panna cotta's allure lies in its simplicity.

What is a fun fact about panna cotta? ›

Although panna cotta is not mentioned in Italian cookbooks before 1960, it is often regarded as a traditional Italian dessert of the Piedmont region. According to one story the dessert was invented by a Hungarian woman who lived in Italy at the beginning of the 20th Century.

Does panna cotta jiggle? ›

The ultimate panna cotta should have the perfect wobble — this is an indication of the texture, which should be silky, creamy, melt in the mouth but not too bouncy or rubbery. I'd rather a panna cotta that is more wobbly than too set, personally.

How to eat panna cotta? ›

My favorite way to eat Panna Cotta is with one or two Dessert Syrups alongside and a heap of fresh berries, nectarines, or peaches. In addition, Panna Cotta begs for a sweet and crunchy accompaniment, such as nut brittle or a thin, crisp tuile, sable or shortbread cookie.

Do people like panna cotta? ›

Its simplicity and versatility have made Panna Cotta a beloved dessert around the world. We love the vibrant red berry sauce because it ends up in every spoonful, but you can also top it with: Fresh fruit (berries, sliced cherries, peaches, mango) Caramel Sauce.

Is panna cotta similar to crème brûlée? ›

Indulgent crème brûlée also has heavy cream as its star ingredient, which is heated and sweetened with sugar. However, unlike panna cotta, crème brûlée relies on egg yolks, rather than gelatin, to give it its luxurious thickness and an even richer finish, more like a traditional custard.

Is a mousse and panna cotta the same? ›

Although being made of quite similar ingredients to panna cotta, mousse is much softer and more airy. So I think it'd be nice to “bring” them together, creating a whole-hearted but soft, airy, heavenly dessert. Here I made the layer diagonally for nicer presentation.

What is another name for panna cotta? ›

Panna cotta is sometimes called a custard, but true custard is thickened with egg yolks, not gelatin. A lighter version substitutes cream with Greek yogurt.

What does panna mean in panna cotta? ›

Panna cotta ( lit. 'cooked cream') is an Italian dessert of sweetened cream thickened with gelatin and molded. The cream may be aromatized with coffee, vanilla, or other flavorings. Panna cotta.

What is the fancy name for crème brûlée? ›

Crème brûlée
Alternative namesBurned cream, Burnt cream, Trinity cream, Cambridge burnt cream
CourseDessert
Place of originFrance
Serving temperatureRoom temperature
Main ingredientsCream, sugar, egg or egg yolks, vanilla
2 more rows

What is crème brûlée called in Italy? ›

The Crema Bruciata is the Italian version of crème brûlée. The velvety custard is infused with fresh organic thyme, orange, lime, and lemon & develops a caramelized sugar layer on top giving a perfect crunch.

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