Serve this caramel panna cotta to impress guests at your next party

Panna cottas are a creamy, soft, delicious dessert that is easy to make and delicious to eat. When you add the caramel layer to it, it gets another flavor profile, making it more rounded and delicious to eat. The crisp bite of the caramel and the soft texture of the panna cotta make them a great combination. Serve it alongside some Chocolate Fondue and Chocolate Mousse and you have a delicious treat on your hands, full of different flavors and textures.

Ingredients

For the caramel:

• 100 gm sugar
• 30 ml water

For the panna cotta:

• 200 ml milk
• 200 gm whipping cream
• 5 gm gelatin powder
• 30 ml water, for soaking the gelatin
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 50 gm sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

• In a pan on medium heat, add the sugar and water. Stir constantly so that the sugar does not burn. Keep stirring till all the sugar has dissolved and the mixture has a caramel color.
• Divide the caramel between the bowls, ramekins, glasses or whatever you want to serve the panna cottas in. Twirl the vessel so that the caramel coats the bottom and sides of the vessel. Set aside.
• In a bowl, add the cold water and the gelatin. Let it sit for 10 minutes so the gelatin can swell.
• Meanwhile, in a pan on medium heat, add the cream. Let it heat till it starts to lightly simmer but do not bring to a boil.
• Once it's simmering, add the milk and sugar and stir it in. The milk needs to be stirred constantly or it will burn from the bottom. Keep stirring till all the sugar dissolves. Once the sugar has dissolved and is thoroughly incorporated, turn off the heat. Then add the salt and vanilla and stir that in.
• Let it sit for five minutes till it cools and then add the gelatin to it. Stir until the gelatin has completely dissolved.
• Now divide the mixture evenly between the prepared ramekins. Place in the fridge for four to six hours or overnight if possible, so it can set.
• Once set, remove it from the fridge. To unmould the panna cottas, place the ramekins in a bowl of hot water for about 30 seconds. Then run a knife around the edges and invert it onto a plate. Or leave it as is if you want to serve in the ramekins itself.
• Add any toppings of your choice.
• Serve chilled.

Notes, tips and tricks:

• You can add any toppings of your choice to your panna cottas. One option is to add a dusting of cocoa powder, icing sugar or cinnamon powder. Or you can have honey, maple syrup, some chocolate sauce, more fresh caramel sauce or a jam or fruit compote on top. You can also sprinkle some brown sugar on top to match with the caramel. Or add chocolate shavings, decorations like stars or silver balls, or even edible glitter. You can also just add a single sprig of mint. Another option is chopped nuts, fresh berries, or sliced fruits like bananas or even crumble on some cookies or brownie bits.
• You can add any flavors to the panna cotta that you think will go well with the caramel. This could include adding some chocolate or cocoa powder, orange or lemon zest, or some other flavored extract.
• It's best to use full-fat whole milk. But if you want to use another one, you can also use half and half, skimmed milk, 2% or any other variation of your choice. You can also use a non-dairy alternative like almond milk, soy milk or oats milk. Keep in mind to use unsweetened milk or it will affect the flavor of the panna cottas. If you do want to use flavored milk like vanilla or chocolate, adjust the amount of sugar you're adding to the panna cotta mixture, or it might end up being too sweet.
• You can store leftover panna cottas in the fridge for a week. We do not recommend freezing since that weakens the texture of the panna cotttas, and they won't be as creamy and soft anymore.