Panna cotta is a simple yet elegant dessert that is transformed when infused with dried lavender and Earl Grey tea. It is silky, airy and creamy with a floral taste and notes of bergamot citrus. This Lavender Earl Grey Panna Cotta recipe is vegetarian-friendly, too.
What is Panna Cotta?
Panna Cotta is a traditional Italian dessert that is easy to make but still looks extra fancy and impressive. The term “panna cotta” translates to cooked cream.
This dessert is sweetened cream thickened with gelatin but it can also be thickened with a vegetarian option like agar powder.
Panna cotta can be plain or flavoured. It is common to find vanilla flavoured panna cotta or even coffee panna cotta.
This tea panna cotta recipe is infused with earl grey tea and lavender buds for a unique spin on a wonderful treat.
The floral essences from the lavender and the citrus notes from the bergamot infused black tea are a lovely touch to this silky and creamy recipe!
Why You Will Love This Recipe:
- Luxurious and impressive dessert
- Easy to make and no baking required
- You can prepare it a few days in advance
- Dreamy floral and Earl Grey tea taste in every bite
- Great addition to the afternoon tea menu
Ingredient Notes
- Heavy/Whipping Cream: 35% cream is recommended.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar to lightly sweeten the cream.
- Earl Grey Tea: Tea bags will be most convenient for this recipe. I use loose leaf tea but I place it in paper tea filters so that it is easier to remove from the heavy cream afterwards.
- Lavender: It’s important to make sure you are using dried culinary lavender.
- Agar Powder: This is what makes the recipe vegetarian-friendly. You can find agar powder online here.
Lavender Earl Grey Panna Cotta Recipe
Find the printable recipe card below for the full directions and ingredient measurements!
In a small saucepan, bring heavy cream and sugar to a simmer over medium-heat. Do not boil.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the earl grey tea and dried culinary lavender. Cover the saucepan with a lid and let the tea and lavender steep in the cream for 15 minutes.
Remove or strain the tea and lavender from the saucepan. Return the saucepan to medium-heat, add agar powder and whisk until the mixture comes to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat again and let the mixture cool to room temperature.
Pour into small serving cups, such as glassware or teacups. Cover and place the panna cotta in the refrigerator to chill for 4 hours or until set.
Before serving, garnish the panna cotta with dried culinary lavender. Serve cold. Enjoy!
Storage
This Lavender Earl Grey Panna Cotta can be made up to 3 days in advance. Store in the fridge, covered, until you are going to serve it.
Tips & Tricks
- Top the panna cotta with fresh fruit or compote.
- Set the panna cotta in molds instead of glassware, then take it out and plate it.
- Panna cotta should be jiggly and melt-in-your-mouth. Using the proper amount of agar powder is important. Too little and it won’t set properly, too much and it will be firmer than it should.
Lavender Earl Grey Panna Cotta
Ingredients
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream 35%
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons loose leaf Earl Grey tea or 2 tea bags
- 1 teaspoon dried culinary lavender
- ¼ teaspoon agar powder
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, bring heavy cream and sugar to a simmer over medium-heat. Do not boil. Boiling the cream will create a skin on the surface.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the earl grey tea and dried culinary lavender. Cover the saucepan with a lid and let the tea and lavender steep in the cream for 15 minutes.
- Remove or strain the tea and lavender from the saucepan. Return the saucepan to medium-heat, add agar powder and whisk until the mixture comes to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat again and let the mixture cool to room temperature.
- Pour into small serving cups, such as glassware or teacups. Cover and place the panna cotta in the refrigerator to chill for 4 hours or until set.
- Before serving, garnish the panna cotta with dried culinary lavender. Panna cotta should be served cold. Enjoy!
Notes
Save this lavender earl grey panna cotta recipe on Pinterest so you can make it later. Click here and pin it!
This was easy to make and a hit with my friends! I served it for an afternoon tea party.