Panna Cotta al Caramello Salato (Vanilla Panna Cotta with Salted Caramel)
Why this recipe works
- Soft, creamy set: The balance of whole milk, double cream and gelatine gives the panna cotta a gentle wobble without making it dense.
- Sweetness with contrast: Salted caramel cuts through the richness of the cream, adding depth and a savoury edge to the vanilla base.
- Easy to prepare ahead: The panna cotta needs time to chill, making it well suited to preparing in advance for a dinner or dessert course.
Get the most out of this recipe
Timing notes
- Cool before chilling: Let the filled ramekins stand briefly at room temperature before refrigerating to reduce condensation on the surface.
- Chill until fully set: The dessert should be cold and set with a slight wobble before serving, especially if you plan to turn it out.
- Add caramel at the end: Spoon the caramel over just before serving so it stays glossy and the panna cotta surface remains clean.
Ingredient notes
- Use sheet gelatine correctly: Soften the gelatine fully in cold water, then squeeze it well before whisking it into the warm cream mixture.
- Choose good dairy: Because the base is simple, fresh whole milk and double cream make a noticeable difference to the final flavour.
- Season the caramel carefully: Add salt gradually and taste once the caramel has cooled slightly, as saltiness becomes more pronounced against the sweet sauce.
Common mistakes
- Boiling the cream mixture: Warm the milk and cream until steaming, but avoid boiling; excessive heat can affect the clean, delicate texture.
- Taking caramel too far: Watch the sugar closely once it turns amber, as caramel darkens quickly and can become bitter in seconds.
- Serving before it sets: If the panna cotta has not chilled long enough, it may slump rather than hold its soft shape.
Make-ahead tips
- Make the panna cotta in advance: Prepare and chill the panna cotta ahead of time, keeping the ramekins covered once the surface has set.
- Keep caramel separate: Store the salted caramel separately so the topping stays smooth and the panna cotta remains neat.
- Warm caramel gently: If the caramel thickens in the fridge, warm it gently until spoonable before serving.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Panna cotta
Salted caramel
Instructions
- Put the gelatin sheets in a bowl of cold water and leave to soften until pliable. Meanwhile, set out 4 ramekins on a tray so they are easy to move into the fridge.
- Pour the whole milk and 250 ml double cream into a saucepan and whisk in 60 g caster sugar. Warm over a low heat until steaming and the sugar has dissolved, but do not let it boil.
- Take the pan off the heat. Lift the gelatin from the water, squeeze out excess water, then whisk it into the hot cream mixture until fully dissolved; whisk in the vanilla extract.
- Divide the mixture between the ramekins. Cool for 15 minutes at room temperature, then chill until fully set with a gentle wobble.
- For the salted caramel, put 120 g caster sugar in a clean saucepan and add 2 tbsp water. Cook over a medium heat without stirring until the sugar dissolves, then continue cooking until deep amber.
- Remove from the heat and carefully whisk in the unsalted butter until melted. Whisk in 120 ml double cream and the fine sea salt, then return to a low heat for 1 minute until glossy and smooth.
- Let the caramel cool until just warm and spoonable. Serve the panna cotta in the ramekins, spooning the salted caramel over the top.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For the cleanest set, cool the panna cotta briefly before chilling so condensation does not drip onto the surface.
- When making caramel, keep the heat moderate and watch the colour closely; it darkens quickly at the end.
- If serving to pregnant people, young children, older adults, or anyone immunocompromised, check the gelatin and dairy are from trusted sources and keep the dessert properly chilled.
Substitutions
- Replace vanilla extract with vanilla bean paste for a more pronounced vanilla flavour.
- Replace fine sea salt with sea salt flakes, crushing them between your fingers before adding so they dissolve smoothly.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Keep the panna cotta covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store the salted caramel separately and warm it gently in a saucepan until spoonable before serving.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 4h 20min (25min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Italian
-
Allergens:
Milk
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