Greek Yogurt Panna Cotta with Strawberry Sauce is one of the best summer no-bake dessert ideas. This refreshing treat is delicious, creamy and very light!
In Italian, Panna Cotta means “cooked cream”, which is usually sweetened and thickened with gelatin.
I’ve tried a few different versions and found the best panna cotta with strawberry sauce recipe! Instead of using lots of heavy cream (like in a classic version), I like to use a mix of Greek yogurt and heavy cream (2:1). It reduces the calories but keeps the dessert rich and creamy.
Also, I don’t put a lot of sugar in the base, because most of the sweetness comes from the berry sauce. If you like to cut the sugar, you can substitute it with honey or stevia).
For more Summer Desserts, please check here:
How to make Greek Yogurt Panna Cotta
To start, mix 1 envelope of unflavored gelatin with 3 tablespoons of water and set it aside for a few minutes.
In a saucepan, mix together heavy cream, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. Cook it over medium heat for about 5 minutes until the sugar is fully dissolved. You don’t need to bring it to boil, but heat it enough to mix all the ingredients together.
Turn off the stove and add the dissolved gelatin to the mixture, whisk it until well combined.
Then, add Greek yogurt and stir it again until the mixture is a smooth consistency.
Divide the mixture between 4 glasses, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a couple of hours until it is firm.
How to make Strawberry Sauce
For the Strawberry Sauce, add diced strawberries, sugar, and ¼ cup of water to a saucepan. Bring it to boil over medium/high heat and cook for about 3-5 minutes until the berries release the juices and soften up.
Then, pour the mixture into a blender and puree it until smooth.
NOTE: Make sure that your blender cup is heat proof. If it is made from plastic, I would suggest you to cool the mixture off a little bit before you pour it in.
After you blend it, pour the sauce back to the sauce pan, and continue to cook for a couple of minutes over low/medium heat.
Add a teaspoon of Bourbon. This ingredient is just to enhance the flavors. You don’t want to put too much liquor, otherwise it will overpower the original flavor. Also, if you are making this Panna Cotta with Strawberry Sauce for children, feel free to skip the Bourbon.
Mix cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of water and add it to the sauce. Stir it well for a minute or two, then turn off the heat. Let the sauce cool off then spoon it on top of the chilled Panna Cotta. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for another couple of hours.
Before serving the dessert, I like to top it with diced fresh strawberries and mint leaves.
Did you make this recipe?!? I’d love to know how it turned out! leave a comment and a rating below👇 thank you!
Greek Yogurt Panna Cotta with Strawberry Sauce
Ingredients
Ingredients for Panna Cotta:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
- 2 cups greek yogurt
Ingredients for Strawberry Sauce:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon Bourbon
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
How to make Panna Cotta:
- In a small bowl mix 1 envelope of gelatin with 3 tablespoons of water and set aside for 5 minutes.
- In a sauce pan mix heavy cream, sugar, salt and vanilla extract. Cook it for about 5 minutes (constantly stirring) over medium heat until the sugar fully dissolves. You don’t need to bring it to boil, but heat it enough to mix all the ingredients together.
- Turn off the stove and add the dissolved gelatin to the mixture, whisk it until well combined.
- Add 2 cups of greek yogurt and stir it very well until you have a smooth consistency.
- Divide this mixture into 4 glasses and refrigerate for a couple of hours.
How to make Strawberry Sauce:
- In a sauce pan mix diced strawberries, sugar and 1/4 cup of water. Bring it to boil and cook for about 3-5 minutes.
- Pour the mixture into the blender and puree it until smooth.
- After you blend it, pour the sauce back to the sauce pan, and continue to cook for a couple of minutes over low/medium heat. Add a teaspoon of Bourbon.
- Mix cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of water and add it to the sauce. Stir it well for a minute or two, then turn off the heat. Let the sauce cool off then spoon it on top of the chilled Panna Cotta.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for another couple of hours.
- Before serving the dessert, top it with diced fresh strawberries and mint leaves
Nutrition
These look incredible, and your mint garnish is so perfect! I love that you use greek yogurt as a substitute for some of the cream – what an awesome healthy addition!
Such a pretty looking summer drink! I’ve never tried making panna cota so your recipe gives me the perfect gateway for doing so. I’m sure I’m going to love it!
Those layers are so perfect and pretty!
Wow this looks so refreshing and delicious! That strawberry sauce looks amazing!
I have never tried panna cotta, but it looks so good! Especially with the strawberry sauce!
What a lovely sounding dessert! I enjoy fruit with yogurt, and this takes it to a new level.
This is so pretty and refreshing looking for a summer dessert – or any time of the year.
Loving everything about this! Panna Cotta is one of my favorite Italian desserts. Your idea to lighten it up with greek yogurt is such a good one! That berry sauce looks so light and fresh too!
What a gorgeous, decadent dessert. I love panna cotta but I haven’t tried to make my own. This recipe has inspired me!
This is such a great way to make a decadent dessert a little lighter. Your layers are so perfect! Panna cotta is such a treat, and this looks divine!
This indeed looks very healthy and delicious. Apt as a dinner party dessert.Will try this soon.
I have YET to make panna cotta. I don’t know what is taking me so long. With strawberry season in full swing, I guess I better get in the kitchen and give this delicious recipe a try.