Haupia Hawaiian Dessert Recipe
Haupia is a traditional Hawaiian coconut-flavored tropical treat that can be found at any and every Hawaiian luau, and has been a staple dessert among the Hawaiian natives for over 100 years! This dessert should take less than twenty minutes to prepare, then another two hours to set up properly. In this recipe you will immediately notice the creamy texture as opposed to a gelatin texture so commonly found at most restaurants, and frowned upon at all luaus!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups coconut milk
*Coconut milk is made by mixing equal parts of shredded coconut and water, and simmering until foamy. The mixture is then strained through cheesecloth, and you squeeze as much liquid out of the pulp as possibly can. - 1 cup whole milk
- 6 tbls granulated sugar
- 5 tbls cornstarch
- 1/4 tbls vanilla extract
Preparation:
Pour 1 cup coconut milk into a medium saucepan. Combine sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla into coconut milk, Stir constantly over low heat until contents begin to become bubbly and thicken. At this point, add the other 1 cup of coconut milk and 1 cup of whole milk and continue to stir over low heat until smooth and once again thick. If the haupia is grainy, then you will need to keep cooking the mixture because the fat in the coconut milk has yet to melt. I have found it best to simmer until mixture starts to get translucent, and leaves the sides of the pan, once this occures...Remove from heat, pour into an 8" square pan or into a graham cracker crust and let it cool to room temperature and then put in the refrigerater for 2 hours, or until completely chilled. Remove from refrigerater, cut into 2" square pieces, and serve on ti leaf lined trays. *Unless of course, you chose to pour into a graham cracker crust. These are also beautiful as well as delicious when garnished with powdered sugar and shredded toasted coconut. There is only one thing left to do....ENJOY!
