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vanilla chai panna cotta

Vanilla Chai Panna Cotta

This vanilla chai panna cotta is creamy, lightly spiced, and softly set. It tastes like warm chai tea with a smooth vanilla finish. An easy make-ahead dessert that feels comforting, elegant, and simple enough for any home cook.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Calories: 380
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 chai tea bags or 2 teaspoons loose chai tea
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or seeds from ½ vanilla bean
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
  • Pinch of ground cloves
  • 2¼ teaspoons unflavored gelatin powder
  • 3 tablespoons cold water

Method
 

Bloom the gelatin
  1. Add the gelatin to the cold water in a small bowl. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it swells.
Heat the cream mixture
  1. In a saucepan, add the cream, milk, and sugar. Heat over low to medium heat, stirring gently, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is hot but not boiling.
Steep the chai
  1. Remove the pan from heat. Add the chai tea bags. Cover and let steep for 10–15 minutes, depending on how strong you want the flavor. Remove the tea bags.
Add spices and vanilla
  1. Stir in cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves. Add vanilla extract or vanilla bean seeds.
Melt the gelatin
  1. Return the pan to low heat. Add the bloomed gelatin and stir until fully dissolved. Do not boil.
Pour and chill
  1. Pour the mixture into small glasses or ramekins. Let cool slightly, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until fully set.

Notes

  • Do not boil the cream. Boiling can ruin the texture.
  • For a stronger chai flavor, steep the tea a few minutes longer.
  • This dessert tastes better the next day.
  • To unmold, dip the cup briefly in warm water and flip onto a plate.