I was searching through some of my older pumpkin posts recently and came upon a few which I had been really happy with. The problem was looking back at them and cringing at the photographs I had taken. Back then it was a point and shoot under the range hood, and the family looking at me and wondering when they’d actually get the go ahead to start eating the food.
I’m not a picture snob but I’ve learned so much in these past years of blogging. The photography aspect is probably my favorite part of building a post now whereas once I didn’t even give it a second thought. I can look back at older posts and actually have some clue as to what went wrong or what should have been done differently. I hope I can keep learning and improving. Ali from Gimme Some Oven wrote recently about being in the same predicament and starting to redo some of her favorite recipes too.
So I thought- Ali, what a great idea! No better place to start than with this Pumpkin caramel Panna Cotta. The original post didn’t have caramel in it, but I don’t think by adding it will lose me any friends, right? This is a really simple dessert to make but one which could easily sit proudly on any fancy restaurant menu. it’s also a recipe that has to be made ahead of time and requires no baking! Am I selling it to you yet? It has a good pumpkin flavor but isn’t too sweet, although once you hit the caramel at the bottom, then all bets are off in the “not sweet” department!
Panna Cotta usually is left to set in molds and then turned out onto a plate for serving. Every time I’ve tried this, it’s been fraught with problems and silent fairly quiet cuss words. So I decided to just keep them as they were and scoop all of that creamy, silky goodness out with a spoon. You could even replace the caramel with chocolate ganache or a spiced apple puree.
Don’t forget to enter my giveaway! You could win a $100 gift card to one of the coolest foodie stores around, and just in time for the holidays. All you have to do is follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter widget below and good luck!
One winner will be chosen at random by Rafflecopter. The winner will have 24 hours to respond to my email or another winner will be chosen. This giveaway is held for U.S residents only.
Creamy Pumpkin Caramel Panna Cotta
Ingredients
- For The Panna Cotta:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 packet of powdered gelatin
- 3 tbsp cold water
- 3/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- For The Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp cold water
- 1 1/2 tbsp light corn syrup
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
-
Make the sauce by combining the sugar, water and corn syrup in a heavy bottomed pan until it has boiled to a deep amber color. Do not stir.
-
Add the butter and whisk until it's all mixed through. Add the cream and vanilla and whisk again. Boil gently for a further 3-4 minutes.
-
Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. After 5-10 minutes, pour about an inch od sauce into the base of each mold you're going to use. Place them in the fridge while you make the panna cotta.
-
In a medium bowl, Add the cold water and sprinkle the gelatin on top of the water.
-
Take a large pot and place the cream and sugar into it. Stir over a medium heat until the sugar has dissolved.
-
Remove from the heat and add the spices, vanilla and pumpkin. Whisk gently until everything is incorporated.
-
Gradually pour the cream mixture into the gelatin/water and whisk to combine.
-
Take the molds from the fridge and make sure the caramel sauce has begun to set. Gently pour some of the cream mixture on top of each caramel sauce.
-
Pace the filled molds back into the fridge and let them set for at least 6 hours or overnight.
-
Bring them out of the fridge 10 minutes before serving.
Recipe Notes
1 packet of gelatin equals 2 1/2 teaspoons of powdered gelatin. Adapted from From David Lebovitz, http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2009/04/perfect-panna-cotta/
A perfect fall dessert, Gerry.
Adding caramel is a genius idea!
Oops, missed the giveaway earlier ;). I’d buy baking supplies!
Oh, Gerry… I love everything about this! Adding caramel is a stroke of genius. I could eat them all, I think. Maybe even in one sitting. Gorgeous!
Is it wrong I want this for breakfast. Let’s see what I would buy…I would buy new baking utensils. My rubber spatulas are overdue to be replaced and trays that ACTUALLY fit in my oven! Thanks for the chance.
These look SOOOOO GOOD!!!! I don’t even know what to say!
I love panna cotta, and this version is totally mouthwatering!!! Love the caramel addition. Pinned!
Can’t wait to make this lovely treat!
I just love the smell of all things fall and wintery!
That looks so amazing! I would love to buy some new glasses and hand towels. Thanks so much.
And i would buy—- linen and tableware.
I think I might buy some of those cute dishes so I can make this and have it look as nice as yours.
I’ve never made pannacotta before, but this looks like the perfect recipe to try!
And I’m sure I could find something lovely to buy. Maybe new baking sheets?
Love the new photos!
I would buy myself a treat with the gift card. Something I would not normally buy.
This looks so good! I need to get the ingredients to make this! I could whip these up and use WS plates to serve them on!
I would purchase updated kitchen tools.
We’d put it toward some new knives.
Looks wonderful, and I just harvested my Sugar Pumpkins
new Calphalon skillet
I don’t even know how I’d choose…they have so much great stuff! I’d probably get a new saucepan!
This looks perfect and the ideal fall dessert. Nice giveaway WS has so many quality items it would be hard to select just one thing
I would buy a cast iron skillet and a baker.
A cast iron skillet!
This recipe looks phenomenal! Thanks for the chance to win! I would use the gift card to buy some yummy Christmas gifts for my family! :)
Yum, I think I know what we will have for dessert for Thanksgiving.
Sarah
I’d buy new baking sheets with it.
I would buy some new baking gear! I need a silpat, an oblong tart pan, and a 1/2 sheet pan!
I would buy tons of new cooking equipment and cookware. I’m a college student with low end Walmart pots and pans. Yuck. I want to start gathering my lifelong kitchen equipment. :)
Le Creuset skillet, or something that’s oven safe.
I have been really eying some lovely knives at Williams-Sonoma that I would love. This gift card would sure help!
So making this tonight!
The photos are fantastic! Now, what would I buy? So hard to say….my kids would love it if I bought some of their Star Wars items!
These look absolutely luscious!!!
Oops – sent too soon! I would buy “photo op” dishes, lovely things to make beautiful food look even more glorious!
I’m been eying their fall leaf cookie cutters *forever* – if they still carry them, that’s what I’d buy!
I would buy All-Clad Tri-Ply Stainless-Steel Nonstick Fry Pan, 12″.
Would buy baking pans!
I would put it towards new cookware!
This looks so delicious! Can’t wait to try the recipe out! If I won the $100 I would use it to buy some new kitchen utensils and/or maybe purchase a new mixer!
let’s see…WS….either something over the top like a nespresso on sale or some gadget that I would pass over because of the cost. That store is the bomb-diggety!
Nice! I do like panna cotta but it’s usually too rich for me. I think the pumpkin would probably cut the richness perfectly!
I would love to have a gift card to blow in Williams Sonoma. I get caught up wandering in that place for ages, coveting the Staub and Le Creuset, usually.
I will need to try this recipe and also having control of how much or not much sugar to add, sounds great!!
Pasta attachment for my Kitchen Aid
I WOULD BUY 10 OF THESE http://bit.ly/1611myx
Ok, maybe just 1 of those and a bunch of other stuff…
This looks so amazing!
If I won the gift card, I’d put it towards a Le Creuset Dutch Oven! TY for the great giveaway! :)
hello, rigby!
I am looking for an excuse to make this. Thanks for the recipe.
Loving this blog! I would buy an assortment of baking accessories with that W.S. card.
I would buy kitchen gadgets
I think I would buy a cast iron pot and a pretty serving dish. Thanks for the giveaway. Good luck everyone.
I’d put it toward a Dutch oven or some nicer knives!
Ooh! I would buy lots of gadgets I don’t “need” ;)
I would love to use it towards purchasing the All-Clad Stainless-Steel Roaster with Rack which is on sale!
Holiday dishes!
I’ve been meaning to remake some of my old recipes for aaaaages! There are some seriously awful photos on my blog that would do well with being reshot. Love that you jazzed these up with some caramel- wisdom really does come with more experience, huh? :)
Probably use it to upgrade kitchen utensils, but I could use a Dutch oven too. I love Williams Sonoma, so I’d really have to think about it. Thanks for the giveaway . . .
That looks so good! I would use it towards linens & spatulas.
Gorgeous panna cotta, Gerry! Perfect for an elegant Thanksgiving dinner.
I would definitely buy some more kitchen stuff!
Hi Gerry! It’s been a long time I got to come around and thanks for stopping by to checkout my post. It has been quite crazy at my end but slowly slowing down now and I finally get to catch up on reading. I am a huge fan of panna cotta and love your addition of caramel to it too. Will definitely try this out over one of the weekend. Speaking of which, I used to be a point and shoot person too when I started photography. I love seeing how so many of us keep evolving and perhaps getting better? Have a Happy Halloween! ♥ Jo
i would put it towards a juicer!!
Please adv….how much gelatin to put? Cos mine comes in a small bottle….is it 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp..etc??
Thank you.
I am not sure what I would buy, there are so many great things! A new Dutch oven? Oh, it would be fun to win!
oh give me give me! Both the panna cotta and the giftcard! LOL! I love them both
i wonder if it would convert naturally to a drink if we left out the gelatin? maybe add some chai?
from william sonoma, it would be hard to choose. what i need right now for making soup is a food processor and an immersion blender…..
Oh, so much. I have no idea where to start! And, OMGoodness… I am not a fan of pumpkin but you totally make me want to eat it. Just gorgeous!
This looks amazing! I would buy a new saucepan and silpat.
Looks delicious! I sure could use some new skillets and pans!
Gerry, that looks SO GOOD. I feel like I can taste it through the screen. What would I buy with the card? Hmmm, so tough. Probably a new knife or KitchenAid mixer attachment!
I would be stuff for the upcoming holidays so kitchenware and dinner ware and wine glasses
This looks perfect for turkey day.. I would buy a turkey thermometer
Hi Gerry, nice stuff you have there. How many grams (or teaspoons/oz) of gelatin in your package? Thanks ela
I’d buy bakeware.
I’d order one thing….croissants!!!
I would buy books and cooking stuff. Great recipe
Oh My Goodness!! This sounds amazing!!! I think the addition of caramel fits in perfectly and I am going to make this delicious recipe happen soon!
I would use the gift card for baking ingredients and maybe small kitchen tools.
A perfect autumn dessert! I made panna cotta once and fell head over heels for it :)
I saw a link to your recipe on someone’s tweet yesterday and it looks so delicious.
Probably an immersion blender. Something I don’t have in my kitchen already. Or some cookbooks, always looking for new recipes.
Hard decision…such a great store.
Oh my. This looks amazing.
I would buy some adorable panna cotta shot glasses and then discover some other treasures while I’m there! I’d love a new sautee pan.
I can’t wait to make this! It looks simply beautiful and I bet it’s even amazing to eat. My daughter and I are going to make it this weekend and will be sure to let you know how it comes out. I’m new to this page and can’t wait to start making your recipes and if course trying them as well :) yummm!
I would buy there pancake mixes and some kitchen supplies
A new Le Creuset!
Baking sheets- theirs are the best!
The caramel hiding under the lush panna cotta is just inspired! An irresistible “re-post”!
I would buy BAKING SUPPLIES! I recently moved cross-country and sold/gave away so much of my kitchen wares because I just didn’t know how much room I would have in my new place.
My husband loves to bake, so I would buy a baking set and accessories for him.
I would use the gift card to invest in some new bakewear.
We just bought a new home so I would buy something for the kitchen
I’d buy someone who is a better cook than me to make these for me.
I would buy some All-Clad cookware!
i’d buy a nice serving dish
I would need a bigger spoon. :)
i love panna cotta! pumpkin would be very interesting. never seen that before! would definitely want to put my spoon in!
I will trade you my gift card giveaway for yours. ha ha.. I would buy this All Clad French Skillet set I have had my eye on for years. I have a ton of All Clad post and pans but like a Zombie wanting brains I want pans. ha ha ha (PS these panna cotta look amazing!!! Sharing on my FB page!)
I love anything pumpkin and these look heavenly! I would buy new knives if I had the chance.
a new chef’s knife
A Le Creuset Dutch oven.
Yum!
A bundt pan!
I would buy all sorts of goodies for my kitchen, which is in dire need of an upgrade! The top of my list would be some decent knives…
Well, it would be a tough decision what to select! Not sure – I’m thinking possibly some baking stuffs :) I am far more interested in making this panna cotta – looks absolutely wonderful!
There’s a cast iron skillet I’ve had my eye on for a bit, I’d buy that for sure. I love that you’re going back through old posts, it must be fun to see what you’ve made in the past.
I would buy a new frying pan, mine is kaput!
I would put the money toward a standing mixer. I’ve always wanted one.
I need baking supplies so, that’s what I’d get :)
Cookbooks, Le Cruset, Star Wars everything… Who knows!
I’d get a lovely tablecloth for my Thanksgiving feast.
This sounds so good!
I’d buy some of the fun seasonal items they carry!
Looks fantastic!
Pinned!
And I love the idea of reshooting/enhancing old recipes. I have 2009 recipes that were really GOOD but no one will make them (I wouldn’t even make them if I saw those pics….lol) and Ive thought about tweaking and then reshooting some of my faves. And bringing them into the modern era.
Your panna cotta is gorgeous. And with the caramel, mmm, so good!
I’d buy anything in the Williams Sonoma store. I am not picky in there :)
This looks delicious! I would buy either some pretty baking dishes or something from Le Creuset!
I would use it to buy Christmas gifts for my family (and maybe one for me too!)
What a great fall dessert, pumpkin and caramel sounds wonderful together. As for what I would buy, probably everything I could, I’m like a kid in a candy store there.
I’d love to buy some new cookware!
I would buy new knives and baking items.
I would buy some new baking sheets.
I can’t imagine this panna cotta looking any more appealing or delicious. Fantastic work!!
I’d buy myself some new bakeware. Mine is looking a little rough around the edges! That pumpkin panna cotta looks amazing!
I’m going to try these… I’d love to buy a new cast iron pan. Or a few more baking pans.
YUMMY!
Some items from their Pantry Collection. Our current plates/bowls are mismatched pieces given to us by various family members.
Linens and decorations for the Holidays!
I’m not sure what I would buy. Every time I go in one of their stores, I find great things I would like.
I would get the Imperia Pasta Machine so I could make my own pasta.
Since I am engaged, I would stock up on small kitchen gadgets for when my fiance and I get our own place!
that looks amazing! I think I’d buy some new muffin tins or a new knife!
I would buy a dish set that I have been eyeing!! This will certainly help! Thank you for offering the gift card!
I would buy some new knives mine dull enough to be dangerous.
I would add to my baking supplies. Love your blog!
This look wonderful! Will be making this soon as I get all the ingredients!
I would purchase a Dutch Oven since I have lusted after one from Williams Sonoma for months.
Looks delicious. I would buy baking and cooking utensils. Baking so I can make holiday goodies and cooking for my mom and mother in law
I don’t know where to start! I’ve been looking at pressure cookers, so that’s probably what I would get.
I would buy a really good chef’s knife.
I would buy a cast iron pan or maybe mini cupcake tin. So much to choose from.
Knives!
I would buy baking utensils
I really need new baking pans – mine are all blackened
I would buy…wow..what first … love so many ws products especially gadgets…I am a gadget freak and cookbook collector..therefore something in that category or a great food item with Christmas book. Thanks…just found you and been pinning away
Your panna cotta looks amazing by the way!
If I had a chance to win the gift voucher I would love to put it towards a great knife sharpener to keep all my knives super sharp when I need them sharp – not when my husband has some free time to sharpen them!
That recipe is so beautiful I’m going to make it!
If I won I would buy a Le Creuset Heritage Cast Iron Fry Pan.
I would get some bake ware!
I’m with you, some of my old photos are horrifying.
This looks spectacular!
And I love WS, I need some more beer glasses!
I want a tart pan, a 9 x 9 baking pan, parchment paper and silicone pot holders.
I want a big honkin’ piece of Le Creuset. This would take a bite out of the price tag.
LOL yeah, I don’t like to look at my older posts…shudder!
I would buy some nice bakeware :+)
Oh, this looks so good! I’m saving up for a Le Creuset Dutch oven from Williams-Sonoma.
I would get new baking dishes.
Mmmmm, caramel and pumpkin. I would buy a Le Crueset dutch oven.
a pasta attachment for my kitchen aid!
I’d get new spices!
That looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it!! I would buy a new saute pan.
I would put it towards something Le Creuset, my dream is to own a baking dish of theirs some day!
I would buy a new non-stick fry pan for one thing
My wife wants the Le Creuset Stoneware 12-Piece Bakeware Set so I would put the gift card towards that
some spatulas
Wow, Gerry! These are so beautiful! Love pumpkin and caramel together. Cannot wait to make these!
Hi! This looks great! Just wondering what size portions yielded 6 servings? I want to make sure I’ve got the right size containers. Thanks’
Hi Jacqui, I believe it was 3/4-1 cup
Thank you!