Citrus Basil Panna Cotta with Honey Drizzle
Silky panna cotta infused with fresh basil and bright citrus zest, finished with a light honey drizzle for a refreshing dessert. This Italian-inspired recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, layers heavy cream, whole milk, granulated sugar 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 280 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
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 10 fresh basil leaves
- 2 1/2 tsp gelatin powder
- 3 tbsp cold water
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp for drizzle honey
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Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, sprinkle 2 1/2 tsp gelatin powder over 3 tbsp cold water and let bloom for 5 minutes.
- Step 2: In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup whole milk, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 10 fresh basil leaves. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves and mixture is hot but not boiling, about 5 minutes.
- Step 3: Remove saucepan from heat, discard basil leaves, and stir in the bloomed gelatin until completely dissolved.
- Step 4: Add 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tsp orange zest, and 1 tsp vanilla extract, stirring to combine.
- Step 5: Pour mixture evenly into 6 small ramekins or cups. Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until set.
- Step 6: Before serving, drizzle each panna cotta with about 1/3 tbsp honey for a delicate sweetness.








