This sweet, creamy, and delicious pandan jelly dessert is a tropical treat layered with full-fat coconut milk and fragrant pandan essence. Its soft texture and rich flavor make it a refreshing dessert everyone will love!
Are you interested in trying more pandan desserts? Check out my Buko Pandan ice cream and Buko Pandan recipe!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Pandan Jelly Dessert is a sweet, creamy treat made with coconut milk, condensed milk, and pandan-flavored jelly. It has a soft, smooth texture that’s both soothing and satisfying. The batter of this dessert comes together easily on the stove. It also sets beautifully in the fridge. It's perfect as a make-ahead treat!
One special ingredient is pandan. It's known for its unique aroma, green color, and flavor like grassy vanilla. Filipinos love using pandan in desserts because of its sweet, floral flavor. No wonder that this pandan jelly dessert is very popular in the Philippines and is often served cold.
The Story Behind Pandan Jelly Dessert
This dessert was inspired by traditional Filipino sweets such as buko pandan and leche flan. Filipino homes used simple ingredients like gelatin, coconut, and sugar for desserts. The use of pandan comes from Southeast Asia, and it’s been used for centuries in cooking and baking.
Over time, families began adding layers to desserts. They used molds or small pots and improved the texture using tools like a potato ricer for smooth finishes. Then, it has become a cherished part of Filipino gatherings.
Where Pandan Jelly Dessert Comes From
Pandan Jelly Dessert comes from Southeast Asia, mainly the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. It uses pandan leaves for flavor and color. People have cooked with pandan for a long time, but the jelly version started when pandan was mixed with agar or gelatin. No one knows who made it first, but it’s now a popular treat at parties and gatherings.
When is this Dish Typically Enjoyed?
Pandan Jelly Dessert is most popular during the hot summer months since it's served cold and is very light. It’s also enjoyed at Christmas, birthdays, fiestas, and other family celebrations.
Because it’s easy to make in big batches, it’s a go-to dessert for potlucks and special events. Try making this in your kitchen whenever you can!
Ingredients
Listed below are all the ingredients you will need:
Pandan Jelly
- Whole milk
- White sugar
- Pandan food color and flavor
- Green gelatin powder
Coconut Jelly
Find the ingredients in Asian supermarkets or grocery stores and see the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Make the Pandan Jelly:
1. In a pot, whisk together whole milk, white sugar, pandan food color and flavor, and green gelatin powder. Then stir until the sugar fully dissolves.
2. Next, heat the pandan mixture over medium-high heat until it reaches a gentle simmer and small bubbles appear on the edges. Then mix occasionally.
3. Pour the mixture into a 7-inch round cake pan and let it cool completely at room temperature or in the refrigerator until firm.
Make the Coconut Jelly:
4. In a clean pot, combine coconut milk, condensed milk, and colorless gelatin powder. Then, stir until well blended and the sugar is dissolved.
5. Heat the mixture on low heat until it begins to simmer and small bubbles form around the edges. Stir occasionally.
6. Gently pour the coconut mixture over the fully set pandan jelly layer. Let it cool and fully harden.
7. Once set, remove the dessert from the pan. Slice and serve chilled!
Substitutions & Variations
- Ingredient Swap
Instead of gelatin powder, use mung bean starch. For fresher pandan flavor, use pure pandan extract, pandan juice, or freshly blend pandan leaves. - Variation
Mix in ¼ cup of sweet corn into the pandan coconut jelly layer for added texture and flavor. - Mistake to Avoid
Don't forget to lightly score the surface of the pandan layer with a fork for better bonding. - Storage Tips
- These ingredients don’t stand up well to freezing.
- Store the dessert in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Let it set fully before slicing for the right consistency.
FAQ
Pandan Jelly Dessert
Ingredients
Pandan Jelly:
- 2 cups Whole milk
- 1 cup White sugar
- 1 tablespoon Pandan food color and flavor
- 1 sachet (1 oz.) Green gelatin powder
Coconut Jelly:
- 1 ¾ cups Coconut milk
- ½ cup Condensed milk
- 1 sachet (1 oz.) Colorless gelatin powder
Instructions
Make the Pandan Jelly:
- In a pot, whisk together whole milk, white sugar, pandan food color and flavor, and green gelatin powder.
- Stir until the sugar fully dissolves.
- Heat the mixture over low heat until it reaches a gentle simmer and small bubbles appear on the edges. Mix occasionally.
- Pour the mixture into a 7-inch round cake pan. Let it cool completely at room temperature or in the refrigerator until firm.
Make the Coconut Jelly:
- In a clean pot, combine coconut milk, condensed milk, and colorless gelatin powder.
- Stir until well blended and the sugar is dissolved.
- Heat the mixture on low heat until it begins to simmer and small bubbles form around the edges. Stir occasionally.
- Gently pour the coconut mixture over the fully set pandan jelly layer. Let it cool and fully harden.
Serve:
- Once set, remove the dessert from the pan. Slice and serve chilled.
Watch The Recipe Video!
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Cherry says
This recipe seems so easy to make. I'll try to make this soon 'cause I love pandan desserts. Thanks for sharing another delicious treat!
Lizzy says
Lainey, this looks amazing, love pandan!! 🤩🤩🤩
Dimple says
Definitely a must-try recipe!
Julius says
any dessert with a touch of green is an absolute must-try! 😁
Sheenyyy says
My favorite dessert!! Makes me wanna make more of this..
Sweet says
This looks delicious! I'm dying to try this myself at home. Yuuuuuuuuum!
Claire M says
Never expected it to be this kind of dessert but I am not disappointed!! Thanks Lainey
Lizzy says
Lainey, I've never tasted pandan and didn't realize I would fall in LOVE with it! IT's so good, it actually reminds me of honeydew. lol Thank you for sharing! 😍😍😍