Name: Earl Grey Panna Cotta
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 180 ml whole milk 480 ml heavy cream 50 g granulated sugar 3 sheets gelatin; 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract 60 ml loose leaf Earl Grey tea 240 grams powdered sugar 2 teaspoons chai spice blend 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup 4–6 tablespoons heavy cream

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The smooth, creamy texture of panna cotta is complemented perfectly by the fragrant Earl Grey tea, making it a refreshing and sophisticated dessert. The vanilla adds a touch of sweetness without overpowering the delicate tea flavor. This recipe is easy to make, requires minimal ingredients, and can be prepared ahead of time, making it perfect for entertaining or a quiet indulgence.

Ingredients

Dairy and Flavorings:

180 ml whole milk
480 ml heavy cream
50 g granulated sugar
3 sheets gelatin
0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
60 ml loose leaf Earl Grey tea

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Prepare the Molds

If you intend to unmold the panna cotta, lightly grease the inner surface of the serving glasses with a thin layer of vegetable oil. Wipe out any excess with a paper towel, leaving a fine coating. This will make unmolding easier.

2. Soften the Gelatin

Submerge the gelatin sheets in cold water until fully softened, about 5 minutes. Once softened, set them aside until ready to use.

3. Heat the Dairy Mixture

In a medium saucepan, combine the whole milk, heavy cream, and granulated sugar. Heat over medium flame until the mixture reaches a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Be sure not to let it boil. Once it’s simmering, remove the saucepan from the heat.

4. Dissolve the Gelatin

Gently squeeze out the excess water from the softened gelatin sheets and add them to the warm dairy mixture. Stir continuously until the gelatin is completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth.

5. Steep the Tea

Add the vanilla extract and loose leaf Earl Grey tea to the saucepan. Stir briefly and then let the tea steep for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how strong you prefer the tea flavor.

6. Strain and Mold the Panna Cotta

After the steeping time, strain the infused mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the tea leaves. Evenly distribute the strained liquid into the prepared molds or cups.

7. Chill the Panna Cotta

Transfer the molds to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight, until the panna cotta has set and is firm to the touch.

8. Unmold (Optional)

To unmold the panna cotta, briefly dip the base of each mold into hot water for about 5 seconds. Then, run a thin knife around the edge of the mold before inverting it onto a serving plate. This will help release the panna cotta smoothly from the mold.

9. Serve and Enjoy

Once unmolded, serve the panna cotta chilled. You can garnish with fresh berries, a drizzle of honey, or a sprig of mint for added flair.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 6 individual servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes (plus chilling time)

Variations

Tea Blends: While Earl Grey is traditional, you can experiment with other tea blends such as chai, jasmine, or green tea for different flavors.
Infused with Citrus: Add a splash of orange or lemon zest to the milk and cream mixture for a citrusy twist that complements the tea.
Sweetener Adjustments: You can substitute honey or maple syrup for granulated sugar to add a different sweetness to the panna cotta.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store the panna cotta in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep it covered with plastic wrap or a lid to prevent it from absorbing other odors in the fridge.
Freezing: It’s not recommended to freeze panna cotta, as it may affect the creamy texture once thawed.
Reheating: Since panna cotta is served chilled, there’s no need to reheat it. Just allow it to come to room temperature for a few minutes if it’s been in the fridge for a long time before serving.

FAQs

Can I use agar-agar instead of gelatin?

Yes, you can substitute gelatin with agar-agar. Use about 1 teaspoon of agar-agar powder for each sheet of gelatin. Agar-agar sets more firmly than gelatin, so the texture of the panna cotta may differ slightly.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes! You can use coconut milk or almond milk instead of whole milk and coconut cream or another non-dairy cream for the heavy cream. Just be sure to use a good-quality dairy-free milk that will set well with the gelatin.

How can I make this panna cotta more flavorful?

If you prefer a more intense tea flavor, you can increase the steeping time to 20 minutes or use more tea leaves. You can also infuse the tea with additional spices, like cardamom or cinnamon, for a spiced version.

Can I serve the panna cotta without unmolding it?

Yes, if you don’t want to unmold the panna cotta, you can serve it directly in the cups or glasses you used for setting. Simply spoon the panna cotta into individual serving glasses and skip the unmolding step.

Conclusion

This Earl Grey Panna Cotta is the perfect dessert for tea lovers. Its creamy, delicate texture and aromatic flavor will leave a lasting impression on your guests. Whether served at a dinner party or as a special treat for yourself, this dessert is easy to make, elegant, and full of comforting, fragrant flavors.

Earl Grey Panna Cotta

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Earl Grey Panna Cotta is a creamy, delicate dessert infused with the fragrant flavor of Earl Grey tea. It combines rich cream and vanilla with a subtle tea infusion, creating a smooth, sophisticated treat that’s perfect for tea lovers and special occasions.

Author: Amy
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes (plus chilling time)
Yield: 6 individual servings
Category: Dessert
Method: Chilling
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Vegetarian

Instructions

Prepare the Molds: Lightly grease the inner surface of the serving glasses with vegetable oil and wipe away excess.
Soften the Gelatin: Submerge gelatin sheets in cold water for 5 minutes. Once softened, set them aside.
Heat the Dairy Mixture: In a saucepan, combine milk, heavy cream, and sugar. Heat until it simmers, then remove from heat.
Dissolve the Gelatin: Add softened gelatin to the warm dairy mixture. Stir until fully dissolved.
Steep the Tea: Add vanilla extract and Earl Grey tea. Steep for 10-15 minutes, depending on desired tea strength.
Strain and Mold: Strain out the tea leaves and pour the mixture into prepared molds. Chill in the refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight until set.
Unmold (Optional): Dip mold bases in hot water and invert onto serving plates. Run a knife along the edge to release the panna cotta.
Serve and Enjoy: Garnish with berries, honey drizzle, or mint leaves if desired. Serve chilled.