This yogurt panna cotta is a rich and creamy dessert flavored with vanilla and a hint of orange.
Please go check your fridge and pantry and see if you have gelatin, yogurt, a vanilla bean, milk, an orange and sugar. Why? Because you need to make this.
This is so rich and creamy, you own't believe it's just made with milk and yogurt!
The combination of vanilla and orange, gives a subtle, but amazing flavor! If you've never made a panna cotta, you are in for real treat. They are so easy to make and my favorite no bake dessert!
Ingredients.
- Unflavored gelatin - look for packets of it in the grocery store. I usually buy the Knox brand. If you really like panna cottas, it's more economical to get the bigger boxes of it that you can order onlin.
- Milk - you can use low fat, but a whole fat milk will make it feel richer and creamier.
- Vanilla Bean - I love the specks of vanilla in this, however if you don't have a vanilla bean, you can use vanilla extract. If you make my homemade vanilla extract, you could use it or even use of the vanilla bean pods!
- Sugar - regular white sugar works great.
- Orange zest - since you are using the zest, you might want to try and find organic oranges.
- Yogurt - you want whole milk for creaminess, this is a dessert after all!
- Cooking spray or vegetable oil for greasing the ramekins.
Expert tip - whenever I buy organic oranges and I am not using the zest. I cut the zest off in wide strips using a vegetable peeler and freeze it in bags or jars. You don't even need to defrost it to use it in recipes. I do the same with lemons.
Step by step instructions.
Begin by pouring ½ cup of the milk in a small bowl and sprinkling the gelatin over it. Let it sit for 10 minutes to soften the gelatin. Note... sometimes I just put everything in the pot, sprinkle the gelatin over it and let it sit for 10 minutes, then continue with the recipe.
Pour the rest of the milk into a medium saucepan over medium heat. Scrape in the vanilla bean seeds and the pod (or add the extract if that's what you are using.) Add the sugar and the strips of orange zest. Bring this to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
Turn off the heat and stir in the gelatin mixture and stir until the gelatin is dissolved. Cool for about 10 minutes and remove the orange zest strips and the vanilla bean pod. Whisk in the yogurt.
Brush the insides of the ramekins with oil, if you are planning on unmolding them. I just put mine in cute little weck jars! Divide the mixture evenly and chill for at least 2-4 hours. You can also make these a day or two ahead of time, making them perfect for entertaining!
If you use ramekins and you want to unmold them, run a knife around the edges. Lay a plate on top and flip both the ramekin and the plate over, lifting off the ramekin.
These are so simple and delicious! The perfect dessert for entertaining! You could serve them in cute little jars or unmold them for a fanicier presentation.
I like to serve them with a chocolate sauce or a fresh fruit. They are also good with a fruit compote.
More panna cotta recipes to try!
Recipe.
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Vanilla Bean Yogurt Panna Cotta
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
- 1 ½ cups milk whole
- 1 vanilla bean split lengthwise
- ½ cup sugar
- 3 strips orange zest each 2-3 inches long
- 2 cups plain whole-milk yogurt
- vegetable oil for ramekins
Instructions
- In a small bowl sprinkle the gelatin over ½ cup of milk. Let stand without stirring for 10 minutes to allow the gelatin to soften.
- Pour 1 cup milk into a small saucepan over medium heat. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean and add those and the bean pod, ½ cup of sugar and the orange zest. Stir until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture comes to a simmer. Remove add the gelatin mixture and stir until dissolved, about 3-5 minutes, transfer to a large bowl. Cool about 10 minutes and remove vanilla bean and orange zest. Whisk in the yogurt.
- Lightly brush the insides of six 6-ounce ramekins with oil and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Divide yogurt mixture evenly among the ramekins. Cover and refrigerate until set, 8 hours-2 days. I personally find that mine sets in about 2-4 hours.
- To serve, gently run your knife around the sides of the ramekin to loosen. Place a plate over the top of each ramekin and holding the plate and the ramekin together invert and remove the ramekin. If desired serve with fresh fruit compote.
Notes
Nutrition
This was originally published in 2014 and has been updated for 2023.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
This is so delicious and such a quick dessert to make as well. The vanilla and citrus is the perfect combination with the yogurt. This is perfect with fruit compote.
Mikayla says
Such a great treat to put together on a Sunday morning as your special after dinner dessert! But double it up, because 1 will not be enough!
Mindy says
This was rich and creamy, and I especially love the flavors from the vanilla bean. Fantastic recipe!
LaKita says
This yogurt panna cotta is so creamy and delicious! Your instructions made the whole process easy to follow and the vanilla bean and orange zest gave it so much flavor.
Elaine says
Quick and easy recipe of my favorite dessert. I love to play with different toppings once the base is done. So yummy!
Ann says
I am so new to cooking with vanilla beans, I am not even sure where in the grocery store to look! This sounds so delicious, I am going to have to find some!
Marta says
I always keep vanilla beans on hand (I store them in whipped cream vodka so I can use it once all of the vanilla beans are gone). This panna cotta was a dessert worthy of the Madagascar beans. I loved how easy your instructions made the recipe.
Anna says
It was so easy and quick to prepare! I served mine with berry compote and everyone loved it, it was utterly delicious!
Gloria says
Such an elegant dessert. Perfect for entertaining. Presentation is awesome, and gourmet vibes.
Sean says
I love panna cotta and this recipe was so simple and the flavor was perfect. I had it wish some fresh berries and it was such a great treat.
Kitchen Ninja says
YUM! I'm in -- will definitely try this as I have never made panna cotta before. Thanks, Pam!
Julia@Happy House and Home says
Saw this on g+... looks good!! I pinned and shared on g+. I will try this. Sounds delicious... Julia
La Table De Nana says
Reeeally pretty pic by the window..cute jars too:-)
Michelle Meche says
I've made panna cotta a grand total of one time. I have everything to make this except for the vanilla bean! This looks so light and elegant--a nice end to a Valentine's dinner perhaps?
Thank you for stopping by and reading and commenting on my wetland post, Pam. I appreciate it!
~~louise~~ says
The only place locally that I have been able to find Vanilla Beans is at Trader Joe's, Pam. I've really been resisting shopping online but it is getting to the point that I may just not have a choice. And then there is the problem of knowing where and what kind of product I will receive. I certainly don't mind spending the money but I want it to be good. I've actually thought of starting a day just for posting the Good, the Bad and the Delicious on my blog to help me and others out. I can't tell you how thrilled I am to know you had a good experience with buying the vanilla beans on Amazon. Another commenter mentioned another place also. So good to know:) I have never made Pann Cotta but this one sounds like one I should definitely try. Thank goodness I still have some beans:) I can't help mentioning the errors in the recipe. Was this recipe originally from a book? Whatever the reason you have made it your own and it looks heavenly.Thank you so much for sharing, Pam...I'm bookmarking this recipe in my new Food Shopping Folder just in case I decide to explore post reviews.
grace says
i get kinda irrationally excited when i see vanilla beans in anything. this sounds awesome, pam!
Jennifurla says
what a perfect dessert
Pam says
This is my kind of dessert. It looks delicious!!! Bookmarked.
kissandmakeupsbeautyblog.com says
It looks really bland but I bet it tasted really yum!
Amy says
I want all the Panna Cotta you've been posting. Bucket list!
June says
Yum! I order mine from Arizona Vanilla Company in bulk too and as they start to dry, I split them and store them in a bottle of vodka. Voila' homemade vanilla extract.
Jessica J says
I love this!
P.S. I was totally planning on featuring Vanilla Bean Pudding this week. So similar! Great minds 🙂
Robin says
How much yogurt do you use?
Joanne says
I love the subtle vanilla and citrus infusions! I'm not usually super crazy about citrus in desserts but I feel like I would love it like this.
Melynda Brown says
Really enjoying your Panna Cotta "series"!