The rose water in this creamy, low-calorie, fruit-packed dessert adds a subtle, exotic flavor but it’s optional. Look for it wherever Middle Eastern ingredients are sold or order it online. Rose water lasts indefinitely and is a lovely addition to citrus salads or your morning yogurt.

Active time: 10 minutes | Total time: 6 hours 10 minutes

Buttermilk Panna Cotta With Berries

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 1 1/4 cups (305g) low-fat milk
• 1 1/2 tsp plain gelatin
• 1/3 cup, plus 1 tsp (71g) sugar
• 1 vanilla bean pod
• 1 3/4 cups (426g) buttermilk
• 2 tsp rose water, optional
• 1 cup (150g) sliced strawberries
• 1 cup (150g) blueberries

Directions

Spray 6 (6-oz) ramekins with cooking spray; set aside. Pour 1/4 cup of the low-fat milk into a small bowl. Add the gelatin and stir to combine. Set aside for 10 minutes.

In a medium saucepan, combine the remaining 1 cup low-fat milk and 1/3 cup of the sugar. Cut the vanilla bean pod in half lengthwise and use a butter knife to scrape out the sticky black seeds. Add them and the scraped vanilla bean pod to the milk mixture. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar has dissolved and the milk is hot to the touch, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the gelatin mixture and whisk until smooth.

Add the buttermilk and rose water (if using) into the pan and whisk to combine. Ladle the mixture into the prepared ramekins. Refrigerate until set, about 6 hours. In a small bowl, toss the strawberries with the remaining 1 tsp of sugar. Chill until ready to serve.

Run a knife around the edge of each ramekin. Place a dessert plate on top of each ramekin and invert, releasing the panna cotta onto the plate. Spoon the strawberries over the top of the panna cotta and garnish with the blueberries.

Serves: 6 | Serving Size: 1 panna cotta, plus 1/3 cup berries

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 124; Total Fat: 2g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Monounsaturated Fat: 0g; Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 7mg; Sodium: 156mg; Carbohydrate: 23g; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Sugar: 21g; Protein: 5g

Nutrition Bonus: Potassium: 251mg; Vitamin A: 4%; Vitamin C: 30%; Calcium: 15%

Originally published June 26, 2018; Updated July 2026