Vanilla-Chai Panna Cotta with Spiced Berry Compote

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-13 · Updated 2026-06-13

A silky vanilla panna cotta infused with chai spices, topped with a vibrant spiced berry compote for a fragrant and elegant dessert. This Italian-inspired recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, layers whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1, split and scraped vanilla bean
• 1 chai tea bag
• 2 1/4 tsp (one packet) powdered gelatin
• 3 tbsp cold water
• 2 cups mixed berries (fresh or frozen)
• 3 tbsp honey
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup whole milk, 2 cups heavy cream, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and the scraped seeds plus pod of 1 split vanilla bean. Heat over medium heat until just simmering, stirring occasionally.
2. Step 2: Remove from heat, add 1 chai tea bag, cover, and steep for 10 minutes to infuse spices.
3. Step 3: Meanwhile, sprinkle 2 1/4 tsp powdered gelatin over 3 tbsp cold water and let bloom for 5 minutes.
4. Step 4: After steeping, remove the vanilla bean pod and chai tea bag from the cream mixture.
5. Step 5: Reheat the cream mixture gently until warm and stir in the bloomed gelatin until fully dissolved.
6. Step 6: Pour the mixture evenly into six ramekins or serving glasses and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until set.
7. Step 7: For the spiced berry compote, combine 2 cups mixed berries, 3 tbsp honey, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground cardamom, and 1 tbsp lemon juice in a small saucepan over medium heat.
8. Step 8: Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes until the berries break down and the sauce thickens slightly; cool to room temperature.
9. Step 9: Spoon the cooled berry compote over the set panna cotta just before serving.