Panna cotta, the beloved Italian dessert known for its silky texture and creamy elegance, gets a refreshing makeover with the addition of tangy kefir and sweet strawberries. This version not only adds a probiotic punch but also brings a delightful balance of tartness and fruity sweetness to the classic treat.
This Kefir panna cotta is a beautiful fusion of creamy and tangy, with the kefir lending a slight tartness that pairs beautifully with the natural sweetness of ripe strawberries. The vanilla rounds out the flavors, adding warmth and depth, while the gelatin creates that iconic, gently set texture. It’s refreshing, slightly tangy, and wonderfully smooth on the palate.
I have to confess that I never liked Panna Cotta, for me it was always very heavy to digest and too sweet, but then receby andtly I had the opportunity to taste it and I fall in love! This is why I decided to develop a lighten up recently, definitely more gut friendly and with a bit less of sugar.
Why you will love this recipe
-You will need 7 ingredients in total, it is relatively easy to make and the active preparation time is under 30 minutes!
-This kefir desserts packs a punch of probiotics, you will add a healthy twist to this delicious treat.
– This Kefir Panna Cotta with Strawberry is perfect for spring and summer. Light, nourishing, and just sophisticated enough to impress is also wonderful for Mother’s Day.
A Brief History of Panna Cotta
Panna cotta, which means “cooked cream” in Italian, hails from the Piedmont region in northern Italy, an area renowned for its rich dairy products and elegant cuisine. Traditionally made by simmering cream, sugar, and gelatin, panna cotta was originally a simple yet luxurious way to use up fresh cream. Some believe early versions may have used boiled fish bones—a natural source of gelatin—long before modern gelatin became available.This elegant dessert has since traveled far beyond its regional roots, embraced around the world for its smooth, delicate texture and endless adaptability. With this kefir-based version, I am honoring the Italian heritage of a region very dear to me, while adding a fresh, gut-friendly twist.
Why Use Kefir? The Benefits
Kefir is a fermented milk drink packed with probiotics, which support gut health and digestion. It’s also rich in calcium, B vitamins, and protein, making it a nutrient-dense choice for a creamy dessert base. Its tanginess cuts through richness, making desserts like panna cotta feel lighter and more digestible, especially after a heavy meal.
My favorite brand is Lifeway: they have different flavor and they have a low fat version and a plain one, so you have a wide range of choices.
Ingredients to make Kefir Strawberry Panna Cotta
To make this Easy Kefir Panna Cotta with Strawberry you will need:
Kefir: I selected low fat strawberry kefir for this recipe, but you could chose whole fat. I like Lifeway brand.
Heavy cream: you will need cream to make panna cotta, this is an essential ingredients to give that silky, smoothy, creamy texture to this dessert.
Sugar: I tend to stay low on sugar, for this recipe I used ¼ cup. Feel free to increase up to 1/3. You will also need 2 tsp for the strawberry coulis.
Vanilla extract: makes everything better, so a small teaspoon vanilla extract will go a long way.
Powdered gelatin: this is the secret ingredients that gives that jelly texture to the panna cotta.
3 tbsp water: you will need it to bloom the gelatin.
Fresh strawberries: you will need them to make the coulis, plus few more halved for garnish.Incorporating fresh fruit like strawberries gives a touch of freshness and color to this dessert.
Lemon: you will need the juice to make the strawberry coulis
How to Make Kefir Strawberry Panna Cotta
The steps to make this Italian panna cotta are very simple:
1. Bloom the Gelatin: In a small bowl, sprinkle powdered gelatin over 3 tbsp of cold water. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes to bloom.
2. Prepare the Strawberry Base: In a blender, puree the strawberries until smooth with 2 teaspoons of sugar and the juice of a lemon. Optionally, strain to remove seeds for a smoother texture.
3. Heat the Cream: In a saucepan, gently heat the cream over medium-low heat. Do not boil. Stir in the rest of the sugar and and vanilla.
4. Add Gelatin: Once the cream is hot, remove from heat and stir in the bloomed gelatin until fully dissolved.
5. Combine: Let the mixture cool slightly, then stir in the kefi. Do not add the kefir to the hot cream, otherwise you will kill the probiotic in it. Mix until smooth.
6. Pour and Chill: Pour the mixture into ramekins or serving glasses. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until set.
7. Serve: Garnish with fresh strawberries or a drizzle of strawberry coulis for extra flair.
More Italian Dessert Recipes for you
If you are looking for some entertaining make ahead recipes, a Piedmontese Bonnet will work. Alternatively Pistachios tiramisu or Mini-cherry tiramisu pot are great entertaining ideas.
If instead you want a showstopper cake, look no further than a classic Cherry pavlova, a Strawberry tart with mascarpone cream or a Italian Lemon Olive Oil Cake.
How to serve Kefir Panna Cotta with Strawberry
You can make this dessert in glass cup, which will make it easier to present it and drizzle it.
If instead you opt for the ramekin, I suggest to immerge the bottom in hot water to aid the flipping. Once you have flipped it on a plate, you can drizzle the coulis on top and add the strawberry.
Kefir Panna Cotta Variations & Substitutions
There are different variations to this dessert.
If you like to add a herbal touch basil, mint, or rosewater will add a gourmet touch to the strawberry puree.
If you want a vegan dairy-free version, use coconut cream and coconut milk kefir. Swap gelatin with agar-agar.
In terms of flavors, you could use mango, raspberry, blueberry or berries mix instead of strawberries for a different fruity twist. Another option is to use a plan flavor kefir and add other fruits such as peach, nectarine or apricot. Combination are endless, and you can create your own seasonal recipe.
In terms of sweetener, you can sub sugar with agave, stevia, honey or date syrup for alternative sweeteners.
Storage Tips for Kefir Panna Cotta with Strawberry
This dessert is great to make ahead for dinner parties or gatherings. You can store this kefir panna cotta covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just add the coulis and the chopped strawberries before serving it.
I am do not recommend freezing this as the texture may become grainy after thawing.
Which wine to pair with Kefir Panna Cotta with Strawberry
For a Strawberry Kefir panna cotta, you’ll want a wine that balances the tartness of kefir and the fruitiness of strawberries without overpowering the creamy texture. Here are your best Italian wine pairings:
My favorite choice is Brachetto d’Acqui, a wine from the Piedmont region. Lightly sparkling, sweet, and aromatic with fresh strawberry and rose petal notes—perfectly mirrors the strawberry element and balances the tang of kefir. Best served chilled.
Another good alternative is Moscato Rosa from Alto Adige. More intense and slightly more structured than Brachetto, presents floral and red berry notes. It stands up well to the kefir’s acidity.
I hope you liked this Kefir Panna Cotta with Strawberry! If you try this recipe and you liked it, please leave a star review below! I would be very appreciative of your comments! Make sure to tag me on Instagram @Italian_kitchen_confessions I hope you loved it! To get more ideas follow me on Pinterest.
Ingredients
For the Kefir Panna Cotta
- 1¼ cup kefir low fat strawberry
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 tsp gelatine powder
- 3 tbsp water
For the Strawberry Sauce
- 8 oz strawberries
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1 unit lemon juice
Instructions
- 1. Bloom the Gelatin: In a small bowl, sprinkle powdered gelatin over 3 tbsp of cold water. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes to bloom.
- 2. Prepare the Strawberry Coulis: In a blender, puree the strawberries until smooth with 2 teaspoons of sugar and the juice of a lemon. Optionally, strain to remove seeds for a smoother texture.
- 3. Heat the Cream: In a saucepan, gently heat the cream over medium-low heat. Do not boil. Stir in the rest of the sugar and and vanilla.
- 4. Add Gelatin: Once the cream is hot, remove from heat and stir in the bloomed gelatin until fully dissolved.
- 5. Combine: Let the mixture cool slightly, then stir in the kefi. Mix until smooth.
- 6. Pour and Chill: Pour the mixture into ramekins or serving glasses. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until set.
- 7. Serve: Garnish with fresh strawberries or a drizzle of strawberry coulis for extra flair.
Notes
Nutrition
