Bittersweet Chocolate and Citrus Panna Cotta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-06 · Updated 2026-06-06

A silky panna cotta infused with bitters and layered with a tangy citrus gelée, balancing smooth sweetness with a hint of bitterness. This French-inspired recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, layers heavy cream, whole milk, bitters (aromatic herbal) into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 tbsp bitters (aromatic herbal)
• 3 oz, finely chopped dark chocolate
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp powdered gelatin
• 3 tbsp cold water
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar for gelée
• 1/2 cup water for gelée

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Sprinkle 2 tsp powdered gelatin over 3 tbsp cold water in a small bowl and let bloom for 5 minutes.
2. Step 2: In a saucepan, combine 2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup whole milk, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, and 1 tbsp aromatic bitters; heat over medium heat until sugar dissolves and mixture is hot but not boiling (about 5 minutes).
3. Step 3: Remove from heat and stir in 3 oz finely chopped dark chocolate until fully melted and smooth.
4. Step 4: Add the bloomed gelatin to the warm cream mixture and stir until gelatin dissolves completely.
5. Step 5: Pour the panna cotta mixture into 6 ramekins or glasses and refrigerate for 4 hours until set.
6. Step 6: For the citrus gelée, combine 1/2 cup water, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and 1 tsp orange zest in a small saucepan; heat until sugar dissolves.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle 1 tsp powdered gelatin over 1 tbsp cold water, let bloom 5 minutes, then stir into the warm citrus mixture until dissolved.
8. Step 8: Let gelée cool slightly, then spoon over set panna cotta and chill for an additional 1 hour before serving.