If you’re looking for a dessert that’s creamy, dreamy, and just the right amount of indulgent, this Easy Salted Caramel Panna Cotta with Praline is exactly what you need. It’s like having your very own slice of heaven in a glass. The panna cotta is silky smooth, with a subtle sweetness that’s perfectly complemented by the rich salted caramel and the crunchy praline topping. It’s elegant yet simple, and totally guaranteed to wow your guests—or just make your sweet tooth very, very happy.
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Why You’ll Love Easy Salted Caramel Panna Cotta with Praline
This isn’t just a dessert; it’s a celebration in every bite. Whether you’re treating yourself, impressing guests, or just looking to indulge in something that feels extra special, this recipe fits the bill. Here’s why this panna cotta will be your new favorite:
Elegant Yet Easy: It sounds fancy, but this dessert is incredibly easy to make. A few simple steps and some chill time in the fridge, and you’ve got a stunning dessert that looks like it took hours to prepare. It’s one of those “wow” desserts that makes you look like a pro in the kitchen without all the stress.
Creamy Perfection: The panna cotta itself is pure bliss—rich, silky, and smooth, with just the right amount of sweetness. It’s one of those desserts that feels luxurious, but without being overly heavy.
Salted Caramel Magic: The salted caramel drizzle adds a whole new layer of depth to this dessert. The sweet, salty combination is totally addictive, and it perfectly balances the richness of the panna cotta.
Crunchy Praline: And let’s not forget the praline! It’s the perfect crunch to contrast the creamy texture of the panna cotta. The sugar and nuts caramelize together, creating a decadent topping that adds a touch of sophistication.
Make-Ahead Friendly: This is a great dessert to prepare ahead of time for dinner parties or holiday meals. The panna cotta needs a few hours to set, so it’s ideal for making the night before.
Ingredients
Here’s the magic of this dessert—it’s all about the balance of creamy, sweet, and crunchy elements. Let’s break it down:
Heavy Cream: This is the base of your panna cotta. It creates that luxurious, velvety texture you’ll fall in love with.
Whole Milk: The milk adds a smoothness and lightness to balance the richness of the cream.
Sugar: Sweetens the panna cotta and the salted caramel sauce. It’s the foundation for all that delicious sweetness.
Gelatin: This helps the panna cotta set into that perfectly smooth, spoonable texture.
Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla adds warmth and depth to the panna cotta.
Butter: Essential for the caramel sauce, giving it that buttery richness.
Brown Sugar: This gives the caramel sauce a deeper, richer flavor, perfect for that salted caramel kick.
Salt: A pinch of salt in the caramel balances out the sweetness and gives it that signature salted caramel taste.
Praline (chopped): The final touch! The praline adds a satisfying crunch with its sweet, nutty flavor.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Let’s walk through the steps to create this creamy masterpiece:
Make the Panna Cotta Base: In a saucepan, combine the heavy cream, milk, and sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is warm (but not boiling). Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Bloom the Gelatin: In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over a few tablespoons of water. Let it sit for 5 minutes to bloom, then stir until it’s fully dissolved.
Combine the Gelatin and Cream Mixture: Pour the dissolved gelatin into the warm cream mixture and stir until fully combined. This is what gives your panna cotta its perfect texture.
Chill and Set: Pour the mixture into serving glasses or ramekins. Let them cool slightly before covering with plastic wrap and placing them in the fridge. Chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to let the panna cotta set.
Make the Salted Caramel: While the panna cotta is chilling, make the salted caramel sauce. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Bring it to a simmer, then cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in the salt.
Prepare the Praline: In a separate pan, melt sugar until it’s golden and bubbly, then stir in the nuts (like almonds, pecans, or hazelnuts) and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the mixture is golden and caramelized. Let it cool and harden before chopping it into small pieces.
Assemble and Serve: Once the panna cotta has set, drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the top and sprinkle with the chopped praline. The creamy panna cotta, rich caramel, and crunchy praline come together in perfect harmony.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Calories per serving: 320 (approximate)
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 4 hours or overnight
Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes (with chilling time)
How to Serve Easy Salted Caramel Panna Cotta with Praline
This dessert is perfect on its own, but if you want to really make it shine, here are a few ideas to complement it:
Fresh Fruit: Pair with fresh berries or sliced figs to add a burst of freshness that contrasts beautifully with the creamy panna cotta.
Coffee or Espresso: A rich cup of coffee or espresso is the perfect pairing to balance the sweetness of the panna cotta and caramel.
Chocolate: For the chocolate lovers, a drizzle of melted chocolate or some chocolate shavings on top can make this dessert even more decadent.
A Dusting of Cocoa Powder: If you like a little extra richness, a light dusting of cocoa powder over the caramel is a nice touch.
Additional Tips
Here are some extra tips to make your panna cotta even more fabulous:
Chill Overnight: Panna cotta is best when chilled for at least 4 hours, but overnight is even better. This gives it time to set properly and develop the perfect texture.
Make It Gluten-Free: This dessert is naturally gluten-free, so it’s great for anyone with dietary restrictions.
Swap the Praline: Not into nuts? You can easily swap the praline for crushed cookies or chocolate shavings for a different texture and flavor.
Store Leftovers: Leftover panna cotta can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just make sure to cover it tightly with plastic wrap.
Double the Batch: Hosting a crowd? Double the recipe and make more! It’s easy to scale up, and this dessert always goes fast.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I substitute the gelatin?
A1: Yes! You can use agar-agar as a vegetarian substitute for gelatin, but keep in mind the texture may be slightly different.
Q2: How can I make this dessert dairy-free?
A2: You can use coconut milk or almond milk in place of the dairy products for a dairy-free version of this dessert.
Q3: Can I make the caramel in advance?
A3: Yes, the caramel sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to a week. Just reheat it gently before using.
Q4: How do I store leftovers?
A4: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat the caramel sauce separately before serving.
Q5: Can I freeze panna cotta?
A5: Panna cotta doesn’t freeze well because it can alter its creamy texture, so it’s best enjoyed fresh or within a few days.
Q6: How do I get the panna cotta out of the ramekin?
A6: To easily release the panna cotta, dip the bottom of the ramekin in warm water for a few seconds, then run a knife around the edge before flipping it onto a plate.
Q7: Can I add chocolate to this recipe?
A7: Absolutely! A drizzle of chocolate ganache or chocolate chips on top would make it even more decadent.
Q8: Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
A8: Yes, if you’re short on time, store-bought caramel sauce works well. Just make sure to add a pinch of salt to give it that salted caramel flavor.
Q9: Can I use a different nut for the praline?
A9: Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different nuts like hazelnuts, cashews, or even walnuts for the praline.
Q10: Is this recipe customizable?
A10: Definitely! You can tweak the caramel by adding a touch of vanilla or bourbon for extra flavor, or switch up the nuts for the praline to match your preferences.
Conclusion
This Easy Salted Caramel Panna Cotta with Praline is everything you want in a dessert—creamy, indulgent, and full of flavor. With its smooth texture, rich caramel, and crunchy praline topping, it’s the perfect way to end any meal. Whether you’re serving it at a dinner party or enjoying it solo, it’s sure to impress. Enjoy!
Print
Easy Salted Caramel Panna Cotta with Praline
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: undefined
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: undefined
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Salted Caramel Panna Cotta with Praline is a rich and indulgent dessert with smooth panna cotta infused with dark caramel and topped with a crunchy, sweet pecan praline. A decadent treat for any special occasion!
Ingredients
- Panna Cotta: 1 1/2 cups (375 ml) pouring cream, 3/4 cup full cream milk, 3/4 cup caster sugar, 2 x 5 gram gold strength gelatine leaves, 1/2 teaspoon salt flakes
- Pecan Praline: 1/2 cup caster sugar, 1/2 cup toasted pecans
Instructions
- Make the Panna Cotta: In a medium saucepan, combine the cream and milk. Heat until just under boiling point, then remove from heat.
- Prepare the Gelatine: Soak the gelatine leaves in cold water, ensuring they are submerged.
- Make the Caramel: In a small, heavy-based saucepan, heat sugar over medium heat without stirring until it becomes dark amber in color. Swirl the pan gently. Quickly add the warm cream mixture, stirring to dissolve the caramel.
- Combine Gelatine: Squeeze the water from the gelatine leaves and whisk into the caramel mixture until fully dissolved. Add salt and mix well.
- Set the Panna Cotta: Pour the mixture into small moulds or dishes and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to set.
- Prepare the Pecan Praline: Toast the pecans in a preheated oven at 180°C (355°F) for 10 minutes, then remove and set aside. Lightly grease a tray and spread the toasted pecans evenly on the base.
- Make the Praline: In a small pan over medium heat, melt the sugar slowly. Once golden to deep brown, quickly pour over the pecans and let cool.
- Crush the Praline: Once cool, place the praline in a plastic bag and crush lightly with a rolling pin until you reach your desired size.
- Assemble: Spoon the crushed praline over the set panna cotta and serve. Enjoy!
Notes
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Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 panna cotta
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg