Few desserts look as elegant while being surprisingly simple to prepare as panna cotta. This Salted Caramel Panna Cotta combines a smooth, creamy vanilla base with buttery caramel and a subtle touch of sea salt in our 4-Inch Tear Drop Dessert Cups. It becomes an eye-catching individual dessert that is perfect for dinner parties, weddings, catering events, and dessert tables.

The tear-drop shape is especially suited to individual desserts. Its elongated design gives you enough surface area to create beautiful layers of caramel and garnish while keeping the panna cotta portion elegant and easy to serve.

Salted Caramel Panna Cotta

Yield: 6 x DLux 4-Inch Tear Drop Dessert Cups

Prep time: 15 M | Cook time: 5 M | Total time: 20 M

Salted Caramel Panna Cotta is a smooth, creamy dessert with a buttery caramel layer and a touch of flaky sea salt. Served in our DLux 4-Inch Tear Drop Dessert Cups, these individual panna cotta desserts combine rich flavor with an elegant presentation, making them perfect for parties, dinner gatherings, and special occasions. Chill for at least 4 hours before serving.

Ingredients:

Gelatin

• 2½ tsp unflavored gelatin
• 3 tbsp cold water

Panna Cotta Base

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Salted Caramel Layer

• 1/2 cup caramel sauce
• 1/2 tsp flaky sea salt

Garnish

• 2 tbsp caramel sauce, for garnish
• 2 tbsp crushed caramel or biscuit crumbs, for garnish
• Mint leaves or caramelized nuts, optional, for garnish

Instructions:

Bloom the Gelatin

1. In a small bowl, add 3 tbsp cold water. Gradually sprinkle 2½ tsp unflavored gelatin over the water, making sure it is evenly distributed across the surface. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, or until the gelatin has absorbed the water and softened.

Prepare the Panna Cotta Base

2. In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup whole milk, and 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Heat the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 5–7 minutes, until the sugar has completely dissolved. You'll know it's ready when steam rises off the surface and small bubbles form around the edges of the pan — but stop before it reaches a rolling boil. Do not allow it to come to a boil.
3. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the bloomed gelatin and 2 tsp vanilla extract. Stir continuously for about 1–2 minutes, until the gelatin has completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth and evenly combined.

Prepare the Salted Caramel

4. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup caramel sauce and 1/2 tsp flaky sea salt. Stir gently until the salt is evenly distributed throughout the caramel.

Assemble the Panna Cotta

5. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the salted caramel mixture into the bottom of each Tear Drop Cup (this uses the full 1/2 cup across all 6 cups). Spread it gently if needed to create an even caramel layer.
6. Carefully pour about 1/2 cup of the warm panna cotta mixture into each cup, dividing it evenly across all 6, over the caramel layer. Pour slowly to avoid disturbing the caramel and leave about 1/2 inch of space below the rim for the garnish.
7. Cover the cups and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until the panna cotta is completely set. To check, gently shake one cup — the surface should hold firm and barely move, not jiggle like liquid. For the best texture, it can also be refrigerated overnight.

Garnish and Serve

8. Just before serving, drizzle about 1 tsp of caramel sauce over each panna cotta, then sprinkle with about 1 tsp of crushed caramel or biscuit crumbs per cup. If desired, garnish with a small mint leaf or caramelized nuts.
9. Serve chilled directly in the 4-Inch Tear Drop Dessert Cups.

Recommended Products:

4-Inch Tear Drop Dessert Cups

Serving panna cotta in our 4-Inch Tear Drop Dessert Cups eliminates the need for unmolding and makes individual portions look polished straight from the refrigerator. The distinctive shape also creates a beautiful presentation with minimal decoration.

A smooth vanilla panna cotta base sits over a buttery salted caramel layer — no baking required, just gentle heating, stirring in bloomed gelatin, and time to set in the refrigerator.

Before serving, each panna cotta is finished with a fresh drizzle of salted caramel and a sprinkle of crunchy crumbs for texture and a polished, restaurant-style look.

The clear tear-drop cups beautifully showcase the caramel and panna cotta layers, making this an easy choice for a dessert table that needs to look as good as it tastes.

Make sure to try this for your next gathering or party. It will be a total crowd pleaser!

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