Coconut Jelly

Discover the joy of Coconut Jelly, a delicious and vegan treat that's incredibly easy to make with just 5 ingredients. Experience the tropical delight of this wobbly dessert that will satisfy your taste buds and leave you craving for more!

Made with rich and velvety coconut milk, this coconut jelly is a simple yet impressive dessert that will captivate your senses. The creamy coconut base is delicately set with a vegan-friendly thickening agent, agar-agar, allowing it to quiver gently on your spoon, ready to melt in your mouth.

With a handful of ingredients and a little patience, you'll be rewarded with a captivating dessert that showcases the irresistible allure of coconut.

Recipe Video

Why This Recipe Works

This coconut jelly recipe is a true crowd-pleaser, perfect for entertaining guests or simply treating yourself to a taste of the exotic. Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with fresh fruits, toasted coconut flakes, or a drizzle of syrup, coconut jelly is a dessert that brings a touch of tropical bliss to any occasion.

The key to a good coconut jelly is proportions, and this recipe provides the right balance of coconut milk, sweetener, and agar-agar. These proportions are crucial to achieving the desired texture, consistency, and sweetness in the coconut jelly.

By following this recipe and paying attention to details, you can achieve a coconut jelly with a smooth texture, delightful coconut flavor, and a satisfying jelly-like consistency.

Ingredients

Coconut Milk:

Always make sure to choose good-quality coconut milk, as it will give you the best flavor. You can use either canned or freshly extracted coconut milk. Coconut cream can also be used in place of coconut milk. Coconut water, however,  is generally not recommended for making coconut jelly as it lacks the creamy texture and flavor that coconut milk provides.

Agar-Agar Powder:

Agar-agar is a great vegetarian or vegan thickening agent. While gelatine is also an acceptable option to use here, it is derived from collagen in animal proteins, so your coconut jelly will not be vegan or vegetarian-friendly if you use this.

Sugar:

While this recipe uses refined sugar, you can also use honey, agave syrup, coconut sugar, or any other preferred sweetener to add a hint of sweetness to the coconut jelly.

Alternative Flavorings:

If you want to experiment with different flavors in your coconut jelly, consider adding a touch of vanilla extract, fruit purees like mango or strawberry, or rosewater to enhance the taste of your coconut jelly.

How to Make Coconut Jelly

Step One: 

Add coconut milk, sugar, and salt to a small saucepan.

Step Two: 

Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step Three: 

In a small bowl, add agar-agar powder and water. Stir to combine.

Step Four:

Stir that mixture into the coconut milk mixture until combined.

Step Five: 

Transfer the liquid to a glass dish and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Step Six: 

Once the mixture has cooled and solidified, cut the jelly into 2" x 2" squares. Serve and enjoy!

Tips

• Follow the instructions on the agar-agar package to dissolve it properly using the correct amount of water. Additionally, ensure that the agar-agar is completely dissolved before adding it to the coconut milk mixture. This will help avoid any lumps or uneven texture in your jelly.
• Once you have added the agar-agar to the coconut milk, continue stirring for a few minutes to make sure it is evenly distributed and to prevent any settling at the bottom of the saucepan.
• Let the jelly cool to room temperature before placing it in the refrigerator to set.
• Add a few drops of vanilla extract for extra flavor.
• Use fresh coconut milk for best results.

What to Serve With Coconut Jelly

This delicious coconut jelly is best served as part of a flavorful and healthy dessert alongside some fresh fruit and dip. However, it can also be served on its own with some toasted coconut flakes, brown sugar syrup, or raspberry jam drizzled on top. You can even serve it with whipped cream or ice cream.

FAQs

How long can coconut jelly leftovers be stored?

When stored in an airtight container, coconut jelly can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. While it is possible to freeze coconut jelly for up to 2 months, it may alter the texture and consistency of the jelly. Gelatin-based jellies tend to lose their smooth and firm texture when frozen and thawed. Agar-agar-based jellies, on the other hand, can hold up better to freezing.

Can I use coconut cream instead of coconut milk?

Yes, you can use coconut cream instead of coconut milk. Coconut cream is richer and thicker than coconut milk, so it will yield a creamier texture in the jelly. However, you may need to adjust the sweetness and possibly the amount of agar-agar since coconut cream has a higher fat content

Can I use fresh coconuts instead of canned coconut milk?

Yes, however, the process of extracting coconut milk from scratch can be time-consuming. If you choose to use fresh coconuts, you will need to grate the flesh, blend it with water, and strain it to obtain the milk. Canned coconut milk is a convenient alternative and generally yields consistent results.

Can I make coconut jelly without using gelatin or agar-agar?

Yes, you can make a simplified version of coconut jelly without gelatin or agar-agar. Instead, you can use coconut milk combined with a thickening agent like cornstarch or arrowroot powder.

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