Name: Earl Grey Panna Cotta Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 4 h 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 3/4 cup whole milk; 2 cups heavy cream; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 1/4 cup loose leaf Earl Grey tea; 3 sheets gelatin

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Introduction

Earl Grey panna cotta is a silky and aromatic dessert that combines the creamy texture of classic panna cotta with the citrusy notes of bergamot from Earl Grey tea. It’s an elegant treat that’s surprisingly easy to prepare and perfect for impressing guests.

A small, smooth, creamy light beige pudding sits upside down in the center of a white, square plate with a delicate gold rim and slightly curved edges. The pudding has a few tiny dark crumbs sprinkled on its flat top and around its base on the plate. To the left of the pudding, there is a shiny rose gold spoon resting on the plate’s surface. The plate is placed on a woven brown mat made of wide flat strips, set against a white marbled textured surface. In the background, a soft white cloth with thin blue stripes is casually spread. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3/4 cup whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 sheets gelatin
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup loose leaf Earl Grey tea

Instructions

Step 1: If you plan to unmold the panna cotta onto plates, lightly grease the inside of the glasses with vegetable oil and use a paper towel to wipe out most of the oil, leaving only a light residue. Otherwise, you can leave them uncoated.
Step 2: Soak the gelatin sheets in cold water until soft. Set aside.
Step 3: In a medium saucepan, heat the milk, heavy cream, and sugar until it simmers gently, but do not let it boil. Remove from heat.
Step 4: Squeeze the gelatin sheets to remove excess water and add them to the warm mixture, stirring constantly until the gelatin completely melts.
Step 5: Stir in the vanilla extract and loose leaf Earl Grey tea. Allow the mixture to steep for 10 to 15 minutes to infuse the flavors.
Step 6: Strain the mixture through a fine sieve to remove tea leaves and pour evenly into the prepared molds. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until set.
Step 7: To unmold, briefly dip the bottom of each mold into hot water for about 5 seconds to loosen the panna cotta. Run a knife around the edge, then carefully invert onto serving plates.

Tips & Variations

For a stronger Earl Grey flavor, increase the tea quantity slightly or allow the mixture to steep a bit longer, but avoid steeping too long to prevent bitterness.
You can substitute gelatin sheets with powdered gelatin—use about 2 teaspoons, sprinkled over cold water to bloom before adding to the warm cream mixture.
Add a touch of lemon zest to enhance the bergamot flavor or garnish with fresh berries for a bright contrast.

Storage

Store the panna cotta covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It’s best enjoyed chilled. If unmolded, keep them on plates covered tightly with plastic wrap. To serve after storage, you can bring them to room temperature for a few minutes for softer texture but avoid leaving out too long.

How to Serve

A single creamy pale yellow pudding sits in the middle of a white plate with a thin gold rim, topped with a few small dark flakes. A copper spoon rests partially under the pudding, holding a cut piece of the smooth, soft dessert showing a shiny surface. The plate is placed on a woven brown mat, all set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of tea instead of Earl Grey?

Yes, you can experiment with other teas like green tea, chamomile, or chai; just adjust the steeping time to avoid bitterness and ensure the flavor complements the creamy base.

What if I don’t have gelatin sheets?

Gelatin powder is a good alternative. Use about 2 teaspoons of powdered gelatin, sprinkle it over cold water to bloom for 5 minutes, then stir it into the warm cream mixture just like the sheets.