Coconut Pudding Cake

Coconut cake
Claudia Totir / Getty Images
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 40 mins
Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Yield: 1 cake

This deliciously moist Thai dessert is like a pudding but with the consistency of a cake. Served warm with a dollop of thick coconut milk or cream (or whipped cream) plus a sprinkling of toasted coconut, this tropical-tasting dessert is certain to please, especially if you're a coconut fan. Delicious and super easy to make, this pudding is healthy too—low in fat and sugar, plus gluten-free. Best of all, you can have this easy dessert recipe whipped up and in the oven in just 10 minutes!

Ingredients

Cake:

  • 1 13 1/2-ounce can coconut milk, good quality

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1 pinch salt

  • 1/2 cup rice flour, available at Asian/Chinese food stores 

  • 1 teaspoon coconut extract

  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

  • 1/4 cup sugar, more to taste

Topping:

  • 4 dollops coconut cream, or thick coconut milk from the top of the can, whipped cream, or ice cream

  • 2 to 3 tablespoons shredded coconut, dry toasted, see toasting instructions at end of recipe

Steps to Make It

  1. Place 1 cup coconut milk in a mixing bowl. Crack in the eggs, and add a pinch of salt. Beat well with a fork or whisk until smooth (30 seconds to 1 minute).

  2. Sprinkle the rice flour over and beat until smooth.

  3. Add the extracts plus the sugar. Beat until smooth.

  4. Taste-test the batter for sweetness, adding a little more sugar if desired.

  5. Grease 4 ramekins (individual baking dishes) with a few drops of cooking oil (or you can use butter). Ladle the batter into these ramekins, filling to 3/4.

  6. Place ramekins inside a long baking dish (the type you would use for lasagna). Pour some water into this dish so that it reaches 1/3 to 1/2 up the sides of the ramekins.

  7. Place carefully in the oven. Bake at 375 F for 30 to 35 minutes, or until pudding/cakes are set. A fork inserted into the center should come out clean.

  8. To Serve Pudding Cakes: Either leave them in the ramekins or loosen with a knife and remove by turning upside-down over serving plates. Add a dollop of the coconut cream (or whipped/ice cream) and a sprinkling of toasted coconut, if desired. Note that if you have refrigerated your coconut milk/cream, it will have hardened - not to worry, it will slowly "melt" over the warm pudding, making it delicious!

  9. To Make Toasted Coconut: Simply "dry fry" (no oil) the coconut over medium heat, stirring continuously until the coconut turns golden brown and is fragrant. Remove coconut from the pan immediately, or it will continue toasting.