Tembleque de Coco: Coconut Pudding (With Variations)

By Hector Rodriguez

Updated 01/16/19

Coconut pudding

The Spruce

  • Total: 20 mins
  • Prep: 20 mins
  • Cook: 0 mins
  • Refrigeration Time: 60 mins
  • Yield: 4 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
711 Calories
57g Fat
53g Carbs
6g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 servings
Amount per serving
Calories 711
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 57g 73%
Saturated Fat 51g 254%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 38mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 53g 19%
Dietary Fiber 5g 19%
Protein 6g
Calcium 39mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Tembleque means "wiggly," so this recipe for Caribbean coconut pudding is aptly named. Creamy, jiggly, and delicious, this tembleque recipe is especially popular in Puerto Rico. It makes a rich and smooth coconut pudding that's perfect for birthday parties, the holidays or any other special occasion — you might even want to try it just to liven up an average meal. 

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups coconut milk
  • Garnish: ground cinnamon, cinnamon sticks, or toasted coconut flakes

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for coconut pudding
    The Spruce

  2. Mix together the cornstarch, sugar, and salt in a saucepan. 

    Flour
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  3. Whisk in the coconut milk and simmer over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and it's thoroughly cooked through, for about 6 minutes. 

    Coconut milk
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  4. Remove the saucepan from the heat and pour the pudding into individual dessert cups.

    Coconut pudding in dishes
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  5. Allow the pudding to cool off a bit, then chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

    Pudding in dish
    The Spruce 

  6. Garnish with sprinkled ground cinnamon, a cinnamon stick, and/or toasted coconut flakes before serving. 

    Coconut pudding with cinnamon sticks
    The Spruce

  7. Enjoy!

Tips

  • The trick to properly toasting coconut flakes is to spread them as evenly as possible on a baking sheet so they form a single layer. Roast at 400 F for about 7 to 10 minutes, stirring them once or twice. Keep an eye on them — coconut has high-fat content so it can go from golden brown to black and burnt in the blink of an eye. Remove the flakes from the sheet as soon as they're roasted. They'll continue cooking on the hot sheet otherwise. 
  • Some recipes advise letting the pudding sit in the refrigerator for 2 hours so it sets completely, or even overnight.
  • You can strain the pudding before chilling it if you want to ensure that it comes out perfectly smooth. 
  • Coconut milk is available in most large markets — GOYA produces and sells it — and you can usually find it in specialty shops. It's often canned, so you can also order it online. 
  • Chill the tembleque in a baking dish for a different presentation. Cut it into squares to serve.


Recipe Variations

  • You can also use creamed coconut and regular pasteurized milk. Use one part creamed coconut to five parts milk. 
  • A traditional Puerto Rican version of this recipe calls for adding 1 teaspoon of vanilla. 
  • If you're a real fan of coconut, feel free to add 1/2 teaspoon of coconut extract. 
  • Coconut milk can be purchased either sweetened or unsweetened. You can use either for this recipe — it depends on your taste and the extent of your sweet tooth.