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Bubble Milk Tea Panna Cotta with Brown Sugar Boba Pearls Recipe

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4 from 3 reviews

This Bubble Milk Tea Panna Cotta recipe combines the creamy, smooth texture of classic Italian panna cotta with the distinct flavors of milk tea and chewy brown sugar boba pearls for an indulgent dessert experience. Infused with Ceylon OP and Assam black tea leaves, the panna cotta has rich tea undertones, balanced with sweetness from sugar and topped with warm, syrup-coated boba pearls. Perfect for a sophisticated Asian-inspired dessert that delights with every bite.

Ingredients

Milk Tea Panna Cotta

  • 45 mL water (to hydrate the gelatin)
  • 8 g powdered gelatin (or 4 gold gelatin sheets)
  • 15 g black tea leaves (combination of Ceylon OP and Assam tea)
  • 360 mL full cream milk
  • 67 g sugar (white or brown sugar)
  • Generous pinch of salt
  • 5 mL vanilla extract
  • 360 mL whipping cream (35% fat)

Brown Sugar Boba Pearls

  • 150 g brown sugar
  • 45 mL water
  • Pinch of salt
  • ½ cup boba pearls (quick cook, regular, or homemade)

Instructions

  1. Bloom the Gelatin: Place 45 mL water in a bowl and sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the surface. Use a toothpick to mix and saturate the gelatin. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes until the gelatin swells and absorbs the water.
  2. Heat the Milk: Put 360 mL full cream milk in a saucepan, cover with lid, and heat over medium heat until it just begins to simmer.
  3. Steep the Tea: Immediately turn off the heat and add 15 g black tea leaves to the hot milk. Stir gently, cover the pot, and steep for 10-15 minutes to infuse the milk with tea flavor.
  4. Strain the Tea Milk: Strain the milk through a fine sieve into a measuring jug to remove tea leaves, pressing lightly to extract more liquid but avoiding bitterness. You should get about 1¼ cups of tea-infused milk.
  5. Prepare the Panna Cotta Mixture: Clean the saucepan and return the strained tea milk to it. Add 67 g sugar, the bloomed gelatin, a pinch of salt, and 5 mL vanilla extract. Heat over medium heat, stirring continuously to dissolve sugar and gelatin, but do not let it boil.
  6. Add Cream and Pour: Once dissolved, remove from heat and stir in 360 mL whipping cream. Transfer the mixture to a large jug for easier pouring.
  7. Set the Panna Cotta: Prepare six ½ cup capacity serving dishes; optionally butter the sides if you plan to unmold. Divide the mixture evenly among dishes. Allow to cool to room temperature, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight to fully set.
  8. Cook the Boba Pearls: Cook ½ cup boba pearls according to package or homemade recipe instructions before preparing the syrup. Drain and rinse in cold water.
  9. Make Brown Sugar Syrup: In a saucepan, combine 150 g brown sugar, 45 mL water, and a pinch of salt. Heat over medium-high, stirring until sugar melts, then boil on medium heat until syrup thickens to a syrupy consistency. Remove from heat.
  10. Coat the Boba Pearls: Drain cooked boba pearls and transfer them into the warm brown sugar syrup. Stir to fully coat and let cool until pearls are just warm.
  11. Unmold the Panna Cotta (Optional): Prepare a bowl of warm water. Dip the panna cotta molds in the water for a few seconds without letting water inside. Gently invert molds onto serving plates and shake lightly to release the panna cotta. Repeat dipping if needed.
  12. Serve: Spoon the brown sugar boba pearls over the panna cotta. Optionally drizzle additional brown sugar syrup for extra sweetness. Serve chilled and enjoy.

Notes

  • If you prefer to serve the panna cotta directly in the dishes, you do not need to butter them.
  • Be careful not to boil the panna cotta mixture after adding gelatin as boiling can inhibit setting.
  • When straining tea leaves, press gently to avoid bitterness in the milk tea.
  • Choose quick cook boba pearls for quicker preparation or homemade pearls for authentic texture but allow extra cooking time.
  • Brown sugar syrup can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated for later use.
  • Adjust sweetness by adding more or less sugar in the panna cotta or syrup according to taste.

Find it online: https://yumntasty.com/bubble-milk-tea-panna-cotta-with-brown-sugar-boba-pearls-recipe/