Silky Earl Grey Panna Cotta Recipe: A Dreamy Dessert Delight

Earl grey panna cotta whispers elegance through its delicate, silky texture and sophisticated flavor profile.

Tea lovers appreciate this dessert’s refined smoothness and aromatic complexity.

Italian culinary traditions inspire this creamy delicacy, crafting simple ingredients into a luxurious experience.

Subtle bergamot notes dance gracefully across the palate, creating an unexpected sensory journey.

Soft, trembling custard captures the essence of refined indulgence with minimal effort.

Each spoonful promises a moment of pure, delectable tranquility.

Dessert enthusiasts will fall in love with this enchanting sweet treat that balances tradition and innovation.

What Makes Earl Grey Panna Cotta So Elegant

• Brew Bold Flavor: Earl Grey tea infuses the creamy dessert with a distinctive, aromatic bergamot essence that transforms a classic panna cotta into an elegant, sophisticated treat.
• Silky Smooth Texture: The combination of whole milk and heavy cream creates an incredibly luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth consistency that glides gracefully across your palate.
• Quick and Elegant Preparation: This dessert requires minimal technical skills, takes just 20 minutes of active cooking time, and impresses guests with its sophisticated appearance and gourmet flavor profile.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Preparing the panna cotta in advance allows the flavors to develop fully, making it a stress-free dessert option for dinner parties or special occasions that can be made the night before serving.

Ingredients That Infuse the Perfect Tea Flavor

• Whole Milk: Rich and creamy base that provides smooth texture and classic panna cotta foundation.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious richness and helps create a silky, decadent dessert.

• Granulated Sugar: Provides balanced sweetness and helps stabilize the dessert.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic background flavor that complements the Earl Grey tea.

• Gelatin Sheets: Essential for setting the panna cotta and creating a delicate, wobbling texture.
• Loose Leaf Earl Grey Tea: Delivers distinctive bergamot and tea flavor, creating the signature taste profile.
• Vegetable Oil: Used for lightly greasing molds to help with easy unmolding.

Instructions for Creamy and Fragrant Panna Cotta

Step 1: Prepare Cozy Molds

Gently brush the inside of serving glasses with a thin layer of vegetable oil, then wipe away excess with a soft paper towel. This helps the panna cotta slide out smoothly later.

Step 2: Wake Up the Gelatin

Submerge gelatin sheets in cold water, letting them soften and relax for a few minutes. Set aside.

Step 3: Create Creamy Base

• Whole milk
• Heavy cream
• Granulated sugar

Warm the mixture until it starts to shimmer, but don’t let it boil. Remove from heat.

Step 4: Dissolve Gelatin Magic

Gently squeeze out excess water from gelatin sheets. Stir them into the warm cream mixture until completely dissolved.

Step 5: Infuse Earl Grey Charm

Add vanilla extract and loose Earl Grey tea leaves. Let the mixture steep and dance with flavors for 10-15 minutes.

Step 6: Smooth and Strain

Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to catch tea leaves. Distribute evenly into prepared molds.

Step 7: Chill and Set

Slide molds into the refrigerator. Let them rest and firm up for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Step 8: Elegant Unmolding

Dip mold bottoms in hot water for 5 seconds. Run a thin knife around edges. Carefully flip onto serving plates.

Tips for Getting the Perfect Set Every Time

• Steep Gently: Let the Earl Grey tea infuse slowly to extract maximum flavor without turning bitter, ensuring a delicate and smooth tea essence in your panna cotta.
• Strain Carefully: Use a fine-mesh strainer to remove all tea leaves, preventing any grainy texture and maintaining a silky, elegant dessert.
• Check Gelatin Consistency: Ensure gelatin dissolves completely by stirring thoroughly, avoiding any lumps that could disrupt the creamy texture.
• Chill Perfectly: Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, allowing the panna cotta to set completely and develop a stable, wobbling consistency.
• Unmold Like a Pro: Dip molds briefly in hot water and run a thin knife around the edges to release the panna cotta smoothly without breaking its delicate structure.

Proper Storage for Delicate Panna Cotta

• Refrigerate Leftovers: Transfer panna cotta to an airtight container, covering tightly with plastic wrap to prevent absorbing other refrigerator odors. Store in the coldest part of the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Gentle Reheating: Avoid microwaving, which can break down the delicate texture. Instead, let the panna cotta sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to soften slightly before serving.
• Freezing Warning: Skip freezing this dessert, as the creamy texture will separate and become grainy when thawed, compromising the smooth, silky consistency of the original panna cotta.

Tea-Time Matches for Earl Grey Desserts

• Brew a Citrus Companion: Pair this delicate Earl Grey Panna Cotta with a freshly brewed bergamot-infused iced tea to echo the tea's signature flavor and enhance the dessert's aromatic profile.
• Complement with Lavender Shortbread: Serve crisp lavender shortbread cookies alongside the panna cotta, creating a texture contrast and amplifying the floral notes of the Earl Grey tea.
• Match with Sparkling Wine: A light, dry prosecco or champagne will cut through the creamy dessert's richness while harmonizing with the tea's delicate bergamot undertones, offering a sophisticated and refreshing finish.
• Garnish with Fresh Berries: Top the panna cotta with a few fresh blueberries or raspberries to add a bright, tart element that balances the dessert's creamy smoothness and provides a vibrant visual appeal.

Unique Twists on Panna Cotta

• Lavender Infusion: Replace Earl Grey tea with dried lavender buds for a floral, fragrant panna cotta that offers a delicate herbal essence.
• Citrus Zest Spark: Add orange or lemon zest during the steeping process to introduce bright, refreshing citrus notes that complement the creamy texture.
• Honey Vanilla Version: Swap granulated sugar with local honey and use a whole vanilla bean instead of extract, creating a richer, more nuanced sweetness.
• Matcha Green Tea Style: Substitute Earl Grey with high-quality matcha powder, whisking it directly into the cream mixture for an earthy, vibrant green-colored dessert.

Earl Grey Panna Cotta Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 34 reviews

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

Print Recipe

Description

Silky earl grey panna cotta whispers Italian dessert elegance with delicate tea-infused cream. Delightful chilled custard melts on your palate, delivering a sophisticated blend of creamy texture and bergamot sophistication.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Dairy Ingredients:

• 2 cups (480 ml) heavy cream
• ¾ cup (180 ml) whole milk

Sweeteners and Flavoring:

• ¼ cup (50 gr) granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (15 gr) loose leaf Earl Grey tea

Binding Ingredient:

• 3 sheets gelatin

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Gently coat the interior of serving vessels with a whisper-thin layer of vegetable oil, using a paper towel to remove excess, ensuring a seamless release later.
2. Submerge gelatin sheets in cold water, allowing them to soften and become pliable while preparing other components.
3. Combine whole milk, heavy cream, and granulated sugar in a saucepan, warming the mixture until it reaches a gentle simmer, taking care not to let it boil.
4. Remove the heated mixture from the stovetop and incorporate the softened gelatin, stirring methodically until completely dissolved.
5. Introduce vanilla extract and loose Earl Grey tea leaves, permitting the aromatic blend to infuse for 10-15 minutes, creating a fragrant essence.
6. Carefully strain the infused liquid through a fine mesh sieve, eliminating tea leaves and ensuring a smooth, refined texture.
7. Distribute the strained mixture evenly among prepared serving vessels, maintaining consistent portions.
8. Transfer the filled containers to the refrigerator, allowing them to set and solidify completely, ideally for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight.
9. When ready to serve, briefly immerse the bottom of each mold in hot water for approximately 5 seconds to loosen the panna cotta.
10. Gently run a thin knife around the edge of each dessert, then invert onto a serving plate with a delicate, confident motion.

Notes

• Gelatin Prep Matters: Properly soaking gelatin sheets in cold water ensures smooth, lump-free texture and even setting of the panna cotta.
• Steeping is Key: Let Earl Grey tea infuse for 10-15 minutes to develop a rich, aromatic flavor that transforms this classic dessert.
• Gentle Heating: Simmer milk and cream mixture carefully without boiling to maintain a delicate, silky consistency.
• Straining Technique: Use a fine sieve to remove tea leaves, guaranteeing a refined, elegant dessert without any grainy texture.
• Chilling Crucial: Refrigerate for minimum 4 hours or overnight to achieve perfect, wobbling set that’s characteristic of authentic panna cotta.
• Unmolding Pro Tip: Briefly dip molds in hot water and run a knife around edges for seamless, beautiful presentation on serving plates.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 12.5 g
• Sodium: 40 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 23 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32.5 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 3.5 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg