Honey Lavender Panna Cotta (Print View)

Silky Italian panna cotta infused with lavender and honey, ideal for spring or elegant gatherings.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Dairy

01 - 2 cups heavy cream
02 - 1 cup whole milk

→ Sweeteners & Flavorings

03 - 1/4 cup honey, plus extra for drizzling
04 - 1 1/2 teaspoons dried culinary lavender buds
05 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Gelatin

06 - 2 1/4 teaspoons unflavored powdered gelatin
07 - 3 tablespoons cold water

→ Garnish (optional)

08 - Fresh berries, such as blueberries or raspberries
09 - Edible flowers or additional lavender buds

# Method:

01 - Combine heavy cream, whole milk, and lavender buds in a small saucepan. Heat gently over medium heat until steaming, ensuring not to boil. Remove from heat, cover, and steep for 10 minutes.
02 - Sprinkle unflavored powdered gelatin over cold water in a small bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes to allow gelatin to bloom.
03 - Strain the dairy mixture through a fine mesh sieve to discard lavender buds. Return liquid to saucepan, add honey and vanilla extract, and heat gently until honey dissolves and mixture is hot but not boiling.
04 - Remove saucepan from heat. Add the bloomed gelatin to the heated mixture and whisk until completely dissolved.
05 - Pour mixture evenly into six ramekins or glasses. Allow to cool to room temperature, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until set.
06 - Unmold onto plates if desired, or serve directly in glassware. Drizzle with additional honey and garnish with fresh berries and edible flowers.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • This panna cotta feels like a secret garden dessert—light, floral, and unforgettable.
  • The simplicity makes it hard to mess up, yet it delivers a restaurant-worthy finish.
02 -
  • If you over-steep the lavender, it turns bitter and overwhelms; err on the side of gentle perfume.
  • Blooming the gelatin fully was the game changer—a couple of extra minutes kept the panna cotta perfectly smooth.
03 -
  • Allow the dessert to chill undisturbed; impatient hands can ruin the set.
  • A subtle finish: serve with sparkling wine to highlight the floral notes.
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