Vanilla Orange Panna Cotta

Aug 30, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Custards puddings creams Origin: Tahitian Vanilla: Beans Easy

This panna cotta sets softly rather than firmly, giving each spoonful a silky, delicate wobble. Best with Tahitian vanilla (floral, cherry, anise); any pure vanilla works.

Prep 15 min

Cook 8 min

Chill 4 hr

Total 4 hr 23 min

Servings 6

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

servings

3.0 cups (720.0 ml)heavy cream
½ cup (100.0 g)granulated sugar
2 ½ tsp (7.0 g)unflavored powdered gelatin
3.0 tbsp (45.0 ml)cold water
⅛ tsp (0.75 g)fine sea salt
½ (2.0 g)VanillaGoods vanilla bean, split and scraped
1.0 tbsp (6.0 g)finely grated orange zest

Make it at home

As an Amazon Associate, VanillaGoods earns from qualifying purchases. We only suggest tools that fit this recipe.

Instructions

Sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the cold water and let it stand for 5 minutes. The gelatin should absorb the water and look wrinkled and swollen.
Warm the cream, sugar, salt, and orange zest over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves; if using a vanilla bean, warm the split and scraped bean with the cream as well. Take the pan off the heat when the cream is steaming; do not let it reach a rolling boil.
Remove the vanilla pod, then whisk the bloomed gelatin into the hot cream until it dissolves completely. The mixture should look completely smooth, with no visible gelatin granules or strings.
Divide the mixture among six small glasses or ramekins and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. The panna cotta should be set around the edges and wobble softly in the center.

Tips

No vanilla bean? Use 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste or 1 teaspoon vanilla powder instead. Add it where the recipe adds the seeds; if the bean is steeped in hot milk or cream, stir the swap in after cooking, off the heat.
Best vanilla for this: Tahitian (floral, cherry, anise), or Madagascar (rich, creamy, classic). Any pure vanilla works.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make vanilla orange panna cotta?

Plan on 15 minutes of prep and 8 minutes of cooking, plus 4 hours to rest, chill, or cool. It makes 6 servings.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

No vanilla bean? Use 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste or 1 teaspoon vanilla powder instead. Add it where the recipe adds the seeds; if the bean is steeped in hot milk or cream, stir the swap in after cooking, off the heat.

This panna cotta sets softly rather than firmly, giving each spoonful a silky, delicate wobble. Best with Tahitian vanilla (floral, cherry, anise); any pure vanilla works.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 6 servings this recipe makes.

473 Calories / serving

42.8g Fat

20.1g Carbs

3.9g Protein

20.1g Sugar

Whole recipe (6 servings): ~2838 cal · 257g fat · 121g carbs · 23g protein · 121g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 473 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 89 min·5.2 mi·~10400 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 64 min·3.2 mi·~6400 steps
Moderate cycling 48 min·9.6 mi
Swimming laps 66 min
Jogging 46 min·3.8 mi·~7350 steps
Stair climbing 44 min·~3950 steps
Dancing 77 min
Bodyweight circuit training 48 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 110 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.