Silky Earl Grey Panna Cotta Recipe: A Teatime Delight

Silky smooth desserts have a way of stealing hearts, and this earl grey panna cotta recipe promises an elegant twist on a classic Italian treat.

Delicate tea-infused cream transforms a simple pudding into a sophisticated culinary experience.

Each spoonful carries the subtle, aromatic notes of premium earl grey tea blended seamlessly with rich, creamy custard.

The gentle steeping process allows the bergamot-kissed tea leaves to impart their distinctive flavor throughout the dessert.

Delightfully light and incredibly simple to make, this panna cotta will transport you to a refined afternoon tea moment.

Guests will marvel at your skills and savor every delicate, trembling bite of this exquisite dessert that marries tradition with modern elegance.

Instructions for Brewing and Setting Earl Grey Panna Cotta

• Mold Preparation

Grab your serving glasses and give them a whisper-light coating of oil, ensuring a smooth release later.

• Gelatin Magic

Soften gelatin sheets in cool water, preparing them for their creamy transformation.

• Liquid Symphony

Gently warm milk, cream, and sugar in a saucepan until tiny bubbles dance around the edges, then remove from heat.

• Tea Infusion

Introduce Earl Grey tea leaves to the warm mixture, allowing them to whisper their aromatic secrets for 10-15 minutes.

• Smooth Transition

Strain the infused liquid, eliminating tea leaves while keeping all the delicate flavors intact.

• Gelatin Embrace

Blend softened gelatin into the mixture, stirring until completely dissolved and creating a silky smooth texture.

• Chilling Moment

Pour the liquid into prepared glasses and let them rest in the refrigerator, transforming into a delicate, wobbling dessert for at least 4 hours.

• Elegant Reveal

When ready to serve, briefly dip glasses in warm water and gently invert onto plates, releasing the beautiful panna cotta.

Flavor Tips and Variations for Earl Grey Panna Cotta

• Adjust the steeping time for Earl Grey to control the tea's strength. Shorter steeps create a lighter flavor, while longer steeps deliver a more robust tea essence.
• Swap whole milk with coconut, almond, or oat milk for unique flavor profiles and dietary preferences. Each alternative adds a distinctive twist to the classic panna cotta.
• Garnish with lavender sprigs, candied lemon peel, or edible flowers to transform this dessert into a visually stunning treat. Crushed pistachios or a drizzle of honey can add extra texture and sweetness.
• Prepare panna cotta up to 3 days in advance, storing covered in the refrigerator. This make-ahead approach ensures stress-free entertaining and allows flavors to develop more deeply.
• Replace Earl Grey with other tea varieties like jasmine, matcha, or chamomile to create exciting flavor combinations. Each tea will bring its own unique character to the dessert.

Serving Earl Grey Panna Cotta With Style

• Tea Party Companion: Pair this delicate Earl Grey panna cotta with light shortbread cookies or delicate lavender macarons for an elegant dessert experience.
• Citrus Zest Topping: Sprinkle fresh orange or lemon zest over the panna cotta to enhance the tea's bergamot notes and add a bright, tangy contrast to the creamy dessert.
• Honey Drizzle Accent: Drizzle a small amount of high-quality honey around the panna cotta to complement the Earl Grey's subtle floral and bergamot flavors, creating a sophisticated sweet finish.
• Garnish Grace: Decorate with a few edible flowers like violet petals or a small sprig of fresh mint to elevate the visual appeal and provide a delicate aromatic touch.

How to Store Earl Grey Panna Cotta Smoothly

• Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep your Earl Grey panna cotta tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Use airtight containers or plastic wrap to maintain optimal texture and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare these delightful desserts 1-2 days before your event. They actually develop deeper tea flavors when chilled for a day, making them perfect for advance entertaining and stress-free meal planning.
• Portion Perfect: Individual serving glasses work best for easy storage and serving. Clear glasses allow guests to appreciate the creamy, translucent dessert while keeping portion sizes consistent and elegant.
• Temperature Wisdom: Always serve chilled directly from the refrigerator. Remove from cold storage just moments before serving to maintain the silky smooth texture and prevent potential melting or separation of the delicate cream mixture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes

Calories: 266 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients You’ll Need for Earl Grey Panna Cotta

• Whole Milk: Creates silky smooth texture and rich foundation for the dessert, choose high-quality fresh milk for best flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Provides luxurious richness and creamy consistency, select cream with high butterfat content for maximum indulgence.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and balances the tea's complex flavor, use pure white sugar for clean taste.

• Earl Grey Tea Leaves: Delivers distinctive bergamot-infused aroma and elegant tea essence, select premium loose-leaf tea for intense flavor profile.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, complex undertones that complement the tea's delicate notes, choose pure extract for authentic taste.

• Gelatin Sheets: Ensures perfect wobbling consistency and helps set the dessert, select clear, high-quality gelatin for smooth texture and professional appearance.

Essential Tools for Making Earl Grey Panna Cotta

• Medium Saucepan: Essential for heating and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Fine Mesh Sieve: Perfect for straining tea leaves and ensuring silky texture.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Whisk: Helps dissolve gelatin and blend ingredients evenly.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for carefully loosening panna cotta from molds.
• Glasses or Ramekins: Serves as molds for setting the dessert.
• Paper Towel: Used for lightly greasing molds.
• Hot Water Pot: Assists in easy unmolding of panna cotta.

Silky Earl Grey Panna Cotta

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4.6 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Silky earl grey panna cotta blends delicate tea flavors with creamy Italian dessert traditions. Elegant and smooth, this dessert offers rich layers of sweet complexity you’ll savor with each delightful spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 ml) heavy cream
• ¾ cup (180 ml) whole milk
• ¼ cup (50 gr) granulated sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (15 gr) loose leaf Earl Grey tea
• 3 sheets gelatin

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Lightly oil serving vessels with a paper towel, ensuring easy dessert removal later.
2. Gelatin Activation: Submerge gelatin sheets in cold water, allowing them to soften and become pliant.
3. Liquid Base Creation: Gently heat milk, cream, and sugar in a saucepan until it reaches a soft simmer, avoiding boiling.
4. Gelatin Integration: Remove from heat and thoroughly dissolve softened gelatin into the warm liquid mixture.
5. Flavor Infusion: Add vanilla extract and Earl Grey tea leaves, steeping for 10-15 minutes to develop a rich, aromatic profile.
6. Straining Process: Carefully filter the infused liquid through a fine mesh sieve to eliminate tea leaves and ensure a silky-smooth consistency.
7. Molding and Chilling: Evenly distribute the strained mixture into prepared vessels, then refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight until completely set.
8. Serving Technique: Briefly dip molds in hot water for 5 seconds, then delicately run a knife around the edges before inverting onto serving plates with a smooth, confident motion.

Notes

• Prepare Smoothly: Lightly oil serving vessels to guarantee effortless dessert release without residue or sticking.
• Gelatin Mastery: Softening gelatin sheets in cold water prevents clumping and ensures uniform texture throughout the panna cotta.
• Infusion Magic: Steep Earl Grey tea leaves precisely 10-15 minutes to capture optimal flavor complexity without bitter undertones.
• Chilling Strategy: Refrigerate panna cotta minimum 4 hours or overnight for perfect, silky-smooth consistency that holds its elegant shape.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 266
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 33 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 88 mg