Description
This Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Caramel Peaches is a creamy, tangy Italian dessert beautifully complemented by warm, caramelized peaches for a delightful finish.
Ingredients
Units
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Panna Cotta:
- 1 1/2 tsp. unflavored gelatin (from 1 [1/4-oz.] envelope)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. grated lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
- Pinch kosher salt
- 2 cups whole buttermilk
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Caramel Peaches:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 lb. firm-ripe peaches (about 4 peaches), peeled and sliced
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Prepare the Panna Cotta: Place 2 tablespoons water in a bowl, and sprinkle gelatin on top. Stir; let stand 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, place cream, sugar, lemon zest, and salt in a saucepan over medium; bring just to a simmer, stirring constantly to dissolve sugar, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in gelatin mixture until dissolved. Whisk in buttermilk and vanilla.
- Divide buttermilk mixture evenly among 8 (5- to 6-ounce) heatproof custard cups. Place on a tray. Chill, uncovered, until firm, 8 hours or up to 3 days.
- Prepare the Caramel Peaches: Fill a large heatproof bowl about halfway with ice and cold water; set aside. Place sugar in a heavy saucepan or medium stainless steel skillet. Heat over medium, stirring around edges and swirling pan to mix melted sugar with unmelted sugar, until amber in color but not smoking, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat; place saucepan in bowl with ice water until caramel cools and thickens slightly, 3 to 4 minutes. (Sugar mixture may solidify.)
- Place peaches in a medium bowl. Heat pan of caramel over low; carefully pour warm water into pan. Cook over low, stirring often, slowly, and patiently, until caramel dissolves into water and creates a sauce, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and let cool slightly, 5 to 10 minutes.
- Pour caramel sauce over sliced peaches, stirring until combined; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
- Spoon some of the Caramel Peaches over Panna Cotta; serve immediately with any extra Caramel Peaches on the side.
Notes
- Chilling the panna cotta uncovered allows it to set properly without condensation forming on the surface.
- Be patient when melting sugar for caramel to avoid burning; stirring and swirling the pan helps even melting.
- The caramel sauce may solidify when cooled but will dissolve again when gently heated with water.
- Letting the caramel peaches stand at room temperature allows flavors to develop before serving.
