Delicately silky, not too sweet, and brimming with tropical flavor—this Coconut Milk Pudding is an absolute dream for anyone who adores creamy desserts. It’s ridiculously easy to make, yet enchanting enough to wow guests (or just treat yourself after dinner!).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultra Creamy Texture: Coconut Milk Pudding boasts a lusciously smooth, melt-in-your-mouth consistency that feels decadent every single spoonful.
- Naturally Tropical Flavor: The pure coconut milk shines through, creating a gentle, dreamy flavor without being overwhelming or too sweet.
- Surprisingly Simple: With just a handful of basic ingredients and almost no prep work, you’ll have a showstopping dessert with very little fuss.
- Customizable & Crowd-Pleasing: Whether you serve it in elegant cups, cut into pretty cubes, or top with fresh fruit, it’s always a hit—no matter how you dress it up!
Ingredients You’ll Need
It’s honestly amazing how such a luxurious dessert needs so little! Each one of these ingredients brings something special—whether it’s richness, body, or that unmistakable coconut flavor that makes this Coconut Milk Pudding sing.
- Coconut Milk: The star of the show—use full-fat coconut milk for unbeatable creaminess and perfect coconut aroma.
- Gelatin Sheets: Gives the pudding its delightfully soft, tender set. Leaf gelatin keeps the texture ultra-smooth, but powdered gelatin works if that’s what you have.
- Heavy Cream: Adds pure silkiness and a dreamy mouthfeel—don’t skip this for the most indulgent results.
- Milk: Lightens up the richness just a touch and helps the flavors meld.
- Sugar: Sweetens everything just enough—feel free to adjust for your personal taste.
- Desiccated Coconut: For rolling or sprinkling, it adds a lovely chew and boosts coconut goodness.
- Fresh Fruit: Top your pudding with anything from berries to mango for a bright, colorful contrast.
Variations
The best part about Coconut Milk Pudding is how easy it is to customize—which means you can let your cravings run wild or adapt to whatever you have on hand. Dessert freedom, right?
- Dairy-Free Delight: Swap out the heavy cream and cow’s milk for plant-based alternatives like oat or almond milk for a completely vegan-friendly, lactose-free treat.
- Pudding Bites: After chilling, cut the pudding into elegant, one-bite cubes and roll them in desiccated coconut—perfect for parties and snacking.
- Matcha Coconut Pudding: Add a teaspoon of matcha powder to the milk mixture for an earthy, Japanese-inspired twist with a gorgeous green color.
- Tropical Fruit Swirl: Gently swirl in mango or passion fruit puree before chilling for bursts of tangy freshness in every spoonful.
How to Make Coconut Milk Pudding
Step 1: Soften the Gelatin
Begin by soaking your gelatin sheets in a bowl of cold water. Give them a few minutes to soften completely—the sheets will turn almost transparent and take on a flexible, jelly-like feel. Drain them gently, making sure there’s no extra water clinging to the sheets before they’re added to your pudding base.
Step 2: Heat the Coconut Mixture
Pour the coconut milk, milk, heavy cream, and sugar into a small saucepan. Set it over the lowest possible heat—think gentle and slow! Warm the mixture, stirring often, just until the sugar dissolves. Whatever you do, don’t let it boil; a gentle heat preserves that smooth, luxurious texture.
Step 3: Dissolve Gelatin & Combine
Add your softened, drained gelatin sheets directly into the warm coconut mixture. Stir, still over low heat, until the gelatin has dissolved completely—no lumps or streaks! The mixture will look silky and inviting.
Step 4: Chill and Set
Carefully pour the mixture into your favorite molds, cups, or even a lined glass dish (if you plan to make pudding bites). Pop them in the fridge, and let them set for at least four hours—this is where all the magic happens as everything firms up to creamy perfection.
Step 5: Serve or Coat
If making traditional Coconut Milk Pudding, serve chilled—optionally topped with fresh fruit. For bite-sized cubes: unmold, slice into cubes, and roll each piece in desiccated coconut for a pretty finish and addictive texture.
Pro Tips for Making Coconut Milk Pudding
- Gelatin Sheet Savvy: Always soak your gelatin sheets in a large bowl with plenty of cold water—hot or warm water will dissolve them unevenly and compromise the pudding’s beautiful texture.
- Gentle Heat Only: Never let the coconut mixture come to a boil—low and slow is the secret for that ultra-smooth, custardy finish.
- Perfect Unmolding: For pudding bites or cubes, line your container with cling wrap so you can lift the pudding out cleanly after chilling—no sticking, no stress!
- Chill for the Right Time: Four hours is the minimum for setting, but an overnight chill makes the texture even silkier (and makes prep that much easier for parties).
How to Serve Coconut Milk Pudding
Garnishes
The garnish is where the fun begins—think a dusting of desiccated coconut, a pile of jewel-bright mango cubes, a scattering of raspberries, or even a light drizzle of honey. Toasted coconut flakes add irresistible crunch, and a sprig of mint makes it instantly photo-ready!
Side Dishes
Coconut Milk Pudding shines brightest after a spicy meal, like Thai curry or grilled skewers, but pairs deliciously with lighter fare—think a simple green salad or spring rolls. If you’re serving brunch, include it alongside fresh tropical fruit or buttery pastries.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, cut the pudding into elegant cubes and skewer them with fruit, or layer chunks in parfait glasses with berries and extra coconut. Mini jars with transparent lids make for adorable take-home gifts, while champagne coupes turn this treat into an elegant dinner-party finale.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Coconut Milk Pudding stores beautifully for up to three days in the refrigerator. Simply cover your cups or dish tightly with plastic wrap to keep things silky and fresh, and you’ll have a delightful treat ready any time a craving strikes.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t ideal for this delicate pudding, as the texture can become grainy after thawing. If you do want to experiment, freeze individual cubes, then serve them semi-frozen as a unique summertime treat for a frosty bite!
Reheating
Coconut Milk Pudding is pure magic served cold, so there’s no need to reheat. If your leftovers have been in the fridge and feel a little firm, just let them sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes and they’ll soften up perfectly.
FAQs
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Can I use powdered gelatin instead of gelatin sheets?
Absolutely! Substitute 1 tablespoon of powdered gelatin for the 2 gelatin sheets. Bloom it in a few tablespoons of cold water for 5 minutes, then stir it into the warm coconut mixture just as you would with sheets.
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Is it possible to make Coconut Milk Pudding completely dairy-free?
Yes—just use your favorite non-dairy alternatives for both the heavy cream and regular milk (like oat milk or more coconut milk for extra richness). The result is just as creamy, and perfect for vegans if you use a vegan gel-setting agent.
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What’s the best fruit to pair with Coconut Milk Pudding?
Fresh mango, berries, and pineapple are all lovely options—their natural sweetness and tartness play beautifully with the barely-sweet, creamy pudding base. Try a mix for a colorful, flavorful finish!
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Help! My pudding didn’t set properly—what went wrong?
This is usually due to not enough gelatin or not letting the pudding chill long enough. Double-check your measurements and ensure a full four-hour (or overnight) chill for the dreamiest, set-but-tender texture.
Final Thoughts
If you love a dessert that’s light, refreshing, and a breeze to make, you owe it to yourself to try Coconut Milk Pudding. It’s the kind of treat that delivers pure happiness with every spoonful—so go on, grab those ingredients and turn today into a little tropical adventure!
PrintCoconut Milk Pudding Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Stovetop
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Dessert
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Creamy and refreshing, this Coconut Milk Pudding is a delightful treat that is perfect for any occasion. Topped with desiccated coconut and fresh fruit, it’s a simple yet elegant dessert that will impress your guests.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup coconut milk (60g)
- 2 pieces of gelatin sheets (10g)
- 95g heavy cream (1/4 cup + 3 tbsp)
- 135g milk (1/2 cup + 1 tbsp)
- 3 tbsp sugar (37g)
- Desiccated coconut, as needed
- Fresh fruit, as needed
Instructions
- Soak the gelatin: In cold water, soak the gelatin sheets until soft and transparent. Drain completely.
- Mix ingredients: In a small pot, combine milk, coconut milk, heavy cream, and sugar. Heat over low heat until sugar dissolves. Do not boil.
- Add gelatin: Stir in the soaked gelatin sheets until completely dissolved.
- Set: Pour the mixture into a container or mold. Chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
- For pudding bites: Line a container with plastic wrap, pour the mixture, refrigerate for 4 hours, cut into cubes, and coat with desiccated coconut.
Notes
- You can customize this pudding by topping it with your favorite fruits or nuts.
- For a vegan version, substitute dairy with plant-based alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 324 kcal
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 71mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 80mg