CHOCOLATE GANACHE & SALTED CARAMEL PANNA COTTA TRIFLE TOPPED WITH WHIPPED CREAM & CARAMEL POPCORN

1. Click here for the caramel popcorn recipe! (Can be made a day ahead and stored in a ziploc bag.)

2. Bottom Layer Milk Chocolate Ganache:

Heat cream in the microwave just under a boil. Pour over the chocolate and stir to combine. Pour into the bottom of your trifle dish and chill.

Method to make the caramel sauce:

1. Spread the sugar in an even layer in a large metal pot, at least 6 quarts. Set over a moderate heat and cook without stirring, until the sugar near the edge just starts to liquify.

2. Use a wooden spoon and begin stirring, encouraging the melted sugar around the edges toward the center, delicately stirring up any sugar melting on the bottom as well. The sugar will start to look pebbly as it cooks, but keep going until it is melted completely and an amber color. If you think it is cooking too fast, lower the heat and keep stirring. Be patient.

3. Continue to cook until the sugar turns deep brown. Once brown, take it off of the heat!!!!

4. Time to add the cream but here is my trick….only add a DROP at a time and stir, stir, stir. This will eliminate the seizing of your caramel and you will love me for this trick. Keep adding a drop at a time and stirring until all of the cream is mixed in. Be patient…you have a lot of cream so this will take a few minutes. Once smooth, add butter and salt. Let cool. Makes 2 cups

4. Panna Cotta:

3/4 cup plus 1 cup milk
1 tablespoon powdered gelatin
2 cups heavy cream

Pour 3/4 cup of the milk in a bowl. Sprinkle the powdered gelatin over the milk. Heat the remaining 1 cup milk and the heavy cream in a saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a light simmer. Pour the milk and cream mixture over the gelatin mixture and whisk until dissolved. Pour 1 cup of the  salted caramel sauce into the mixture, whisking as you pour. Pour over the chocolate layer and chill 3-4 hours. Once firm, pour on some of the left over caramel sauce to make a thin layer.

5. Make Whipped Cream

Beat 3 cups heavy cream to soft peaks. Add 3-4 Tablespoons powdered sugar (to taste) and whip a bit more. Pipe on top of the caramel layer.

6. Pile on the caramel corn as high as you can and drizzle with salted caramel sauce because you can never have enough!