This Blueberry Panna Cotta is all you need to satisfy your craving for berries! The star of our show is a medley of frozen blueberries, their intense flavour deepened by a touch of sugar and a splash of lemon juice. Processed into a silky coulis, these berries become the perfect flavour base for our panna cotta.

A Taste of Italy
Panna Cotta, literally translated as "cooked cream," hails from the picturesque landscapes of Italy. Rooted in Italian culinary tradition, this dessert captures the essence of simplicity and sophistication, making it a favourite on tables from Rome to Milan.
Granted my take on preparing the traditional classic is pretty unconventional in some ways but you can't argue with the taste and it works for me!
Why You Will Love My Panna Cotta
You will love this Mixed Berry Panna Cotta recipe for a couple of reasons. Firstly, its creamy texture combined with the burst of berry flavor creates a delicious contrast that excites the taste buds. Moving from the smooth creaminess to the vibrant tanginess of the berries is so satisfying.
Secondly, the recipe's unique method of adding cold cream to the hot berry mixture ensures a seamless blend of flavors while preventing any unwanted separation of the gelatine.
Ingredients To Make Blueberry Panna Cotta
- Frozen Blueberries: I prefer to use frozen blueberries because they release so much delicious sweet juice. It seems to be more concentrated which is exactly what I'm looking for.
- Sugar: It not only sweetens the berries but also balances and enhances their natural tartness. This can be adjusted to taste.
- Lemon Juice: This helps to add brightness to the berries and enhances their flavor.
- Cream: I like to use the full-strength stuff! No light cream in my kitchen! lol It adds to the luscious, silky, and indulgent mouthfeel that is synonymous with panna cotta.
- Vanilla: Add an extra level of flavor. I put it in EVERYTHING!
- Gelatine/Cold Water: I often use powdered gelatine but you can of course use leaf gelatin if you have it on hand. Either way, the cold water is used to bloom the gelatine. You will need am medium bowl of cold water if using leaf gelatine.
- Extra Mixed Berries: Used for decoration and a great way to add an extra pop of color. Use whatever berries you have on hand.

How To Make Blueberry Panna Cotta
1. Sprinkle gelatine over cold water and let it bloom.
2. Process the thawed blueberries into a coulis consistency.

3. Mix processed blueberries, sugar and lemon juice in a medium pan. Stir over medium heat to dissolve the sugar.
4. The blueberries off the heat. Ad bloomed gelatine and mix well until fully dissolved.
5. Strain the blueberry mixture into a bowl and add the cold cream. Mix well to combine. This the the part of the process that is the most non-traditional! I like to add cold cream to the mixture to bring the temperature of the panna cotta down quickly. Works for me!

6. Cool the mixture to room temperature stirring every few minutes.
7. Pour into individual glasses and refrigerate for at least four hours before serving, more if you have the time. I like to chill overnight as a minimum.

My Top Tip
The key tip for this Mixed Berry Panna Cotta recipe is to be patient! After you mix the hot berry mix with the cold cream, let it sit for about 15 minutes before pouring it into molds. This waiting time helps to prevent any separation of the gelatine and gives you that smooth, creamy texture you're after. So, resist the urge to rush and let the flavors mingle—it'll be worth it in the end!
More Serving Suggestions For Blueberry Panna Cotta
Here are some alternative serving and garnish suggestions for your Blueberry Panna Cotta. Feel free to mix and match these suggestions to create a presentation that suits your taste and the occasion. Enjoy your culinary adventure!
- A Citrus Twist: Serve the blueberry panna cotta with a citrus twist by adding a small amount of citrus zest (lemon or orange) on top.
- Crumbled Biscuits: Sprinkle crumbled shortbread or almond biscuits over the panna cotta for a delightful texture contrast.
- Honey Drizzle: Drizzle a touch of honey over the panna cotta just before serving for a subtle sweetness.
- Chocolate Shavings: Garnish your blueberry panna cotta with delicate chocolate shavings for a rich and indulgent touch.
- Toasted Almonds: Toasted almond slices or chopped almonds can add a nutty crunch to complement the creamy texture.
Common Questions
Absolutely! Fresh berries can be used interchangeably with frozen ones in this recipe. Just make sure to adjust the sugar level based on the sweetness of the berries.
The panna cotta can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Make sure to cover it tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container to prevent any absorption of odors from other foods.
Yes, this recipe is perfect for making ahead of time! You can prepare the panna cotta a day in advance and keep it refrigerated until you're ready to serve. Just add the extra berries as a topping right before serving for the freshest presentation.
If your panna cotta doesn't set properly, it may be due to not enough gelatine or not allowing enough time for it to chill in the refrigerator. You can try adding a bit more gelatine next time or letting it chill for a longer period until it reaches the desired firmness.
Absolutely! You can experiment with different combinations of berries or use a single type of berry according to your preference. Raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries would all work well in this recipe. Just make sure to adjust the sugar level to taste, as different berries may vary in sweetness.

Amazing Blueberry Panna Cotta
INGREDIENTS
- 250 g (1.69 cups) blueberries
- ⅓ cup (0.33 cup) sugar
- 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) lemon juice
- 400 ml (13.53 floz) heavy cream
- 2 teaspoon (2 teaspoon) vanilla or to taste
- 2 teaspoon (2 teaspoon) gelatine powder
- 2 tablespoon (2 tablespoon) water cold
- ¾ cup (0.75 cup) mixed berries garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatine over the cold water. Let it sit for 5 minutes to bloom.
- Process the thawed (or fresh) blueberries with a stick blender or food processor until you achieve a smooth coulis consistency.
- In a saucepan, combine the berry coulis, sugar, and lemon juice.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly until the sugar has completely dissolved. Remove from heat.
- Add the bloomed gelatine to the hot blueberries in the saucepan. Stir well to ensure the gelatine is fully dissolved.
- Pass the berry-gelatine mixture through a fine mesh strainer over a bowl. Press the mixture through the strainer using a spatula to strain all the liquid.
- Combine the strained berry mixture with the cold cream and vanilla extract. Stir well to fully combine.
- Allow the mixture to sit for 15 minutes, stirring frequently. This step helps prevent the panna cotta from separating into layers once poured into the glasses.
- Pour the mixture into individual glass Pudding Jars or mini glasses.
- Refrigerate for approximately 4 hours or until the panna cotta is fully set.
- Before serving, spoon over some mixed berries as a topping and ENJOY!
Nicole S DaSilva says
So I just made this. I had really high hopes, but the mixture barely poured into the ramekins. It was more of a mousse consistency than cream. I followed the recipes. Any thoughts? If you could offer some advice I'd possibly give it another shot.
Fay says
Hi Nicole. That's interesting! Thanks for posting. I'd like to help you troubleshoot for next time. Did you substitute any of the ingredients? Did you whip or mix vigorously at any point? What kind of cream did you use? What kind a gelatine did you use? It's tricky to guess what may have happened without know more. Looking forward to hearing back from you.
Angela says
Love panna cotta! This version is amazing with berries. So good!
Fay says
Thanks Angela! Glad you like it.
Harriet Young says
Gorgeous! This panna cotta is so delicious and the texture is perfect too. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Fay says
That's wonderful Harriet!
Adri says
Amazing flavour and the panna cotta has just the perfect amount of wobble. It's the perfect summer dessert that I'm going to make on repeat!
Fay says
I'm so pleased you like it Adri!
Heather says
This Blueberry Panna Cotta recipe is fantastic! It's easy to make and results in a creamy, delightful dessert with a fresh blueberry twist. Perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a special treat. Thank you!
Fay says
That's great to hear Heather!
Liz says
I was kind of intimidated to try panna cotta but it turned out great! Easier than I thought!
Fay says
That's fabulous Liz!