Cooking Social Club: Coconut-Mango Haupia Recipe!

Creamy, refreshing, and filled with tropical flavor, this week’s recipe comes straight from our Taste of Hawaii Cooking Class. Our Coconut-Mango Haupia combines a silky Hawaiian-inspired coconut milk pudding with a bright topping made from fresh Kent mangoes.

The creamy coconut base is lightly sweetened and flavored with vanilla and ginger, while the homemade mango topping adds fresh citrus flavor and texture. Served chilled, this colorful dessert is the perfect way to bring a taste of Hawaii into your kitchen.

Coconut-Mango Haupia

Ingredients

Coconut Haupia

• 1 can coconut milk, 16 ounces

• 3 tablespoons cornstarch

• ⅓ cup milk

• ⅓ cup sugar

• ½ teaspoon ground ginger

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

• Pinch of salt

Fresh Mango Topping

• 4 Kent mangoes

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• Juice of ½ small lemon

Optional Garnishes

• Toasted coconut

• Fresh mango pieces

• Fresh mint

• Lime zest

• Macadamia nuts

Instructions

1. Heat the Coconut Milk

Add the coconut milk to a small saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Stir occasionally to prevent the coconut milk from burning or sticking to the bottom of the saucepan.

2. Prepare the Cornstarch Slurry

While the coconut milk is heating, pour the milk into a small bowl. Add the cornstarch one tablespoon at a time, whisking thoroughly after each addition.

Continue whisking until the mixture is completely smooth and no lumps remain.

3. Sweeten the Slurry

Add the sugar and a pinch of salt to the cornstarch slurry. Whisk until the sugar has dissolved into the liquid.

4. Thicken the Haupia

Once the coconut milk reaches a rolling boil, slowly pour in the milk mixture while whisking constantly.

Continue cooking and whisking until the mixture thickens to a consistency similar to yogurt, approximately 3–5 minutes.

5. Add the Flavoring

Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the ground ginger and vanilla extract. Continue stirring for one additional minute as the mixture begins to cool.

6. Chill the Haupia

Pour the haupia into a serving dish or divide it among individual serving containers.

Press plastic wrap directly against the surface of the pudding, making sure none of it is exposed to the air. This will help prevent a skin from forming.

Refrigerate the haupia for at least 2–3 hours, or until completely chilled and set.

7. Prepare the Mangoes

Rinse the mangoes and slice along both sides of each flat center pit. Score the mango flesh in a grid pattern while keeping the skin intact.

Turn the mango halves outward by pressing against the back of the skin, then carefully remove the cubes.

8. Cook the Mango Topping

Add half of the cubed mangoes, approximately 200 grams, to a small saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.

While the mango cooks, roughly chop the remaining mango into smaller pieces and set it aside.

9. Sweeten and Blend the Mangoes

Once the cooked mango is extremely soft, crush it until it reaches a consistency similar to applesauce. Stir in the sugar and lemon juice until combined.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool for five minutes. Blend the cooked mango into a thick, smooth purée using an immersion blender.

10. Finish the Mango Topping

Fold the remaining fresh mango pieces into the smooth purée. Refrigerate the topping until you are ready to serve the dessert.

11. Assemble the Coconut-Mango Haupia

Once the haupia is completely chilled, add a generous spoonful of mango topping to each serving.

Finish with toasted coconut, fresh mint, lime zest, chopped macadamia nuts, or additional mango pieces if desired. Serve chilled.

Chef Tips for the Perfect Coconut-Mango Haupia

Whisk the Slurry Until Smooth

Cornstarch can form lumps if it is added too quickly. Add it gradually and whisk thoroughly before combining the slurry with the hot coconut milk.

Keep Whisking as the Haupia Thickens

The pudding will thicken quickly once the slurry is added. Whisk constantly to create a smooth texture and prevent the mixture from scorching.

Use Ripe Kent Mangoes

Mangoes are naturally sweet, creamy, and generally more uniform than many other varieties. Look for mangoes that give slightly when gently pressed, feel heavy when picked up and red color on the bottom.

Let It Chill Completely

Haupia needs time to cool and set properly. Refrigerate it for at least two hours, although three hours or overnight will produce an even firmer texture.

Adjust the Mango Topping to Taste

The sweetness of fresh mangoes can vary. Taste the topping before adding all the sugar and adjust the amount depending on the ripeness of the fruit.

Make It Ahead

Both the haupia and mango topping can be prepared in advance and refrigerated separately. Add the topping shortly before serving for the freshest presentation.

Bring a Taste of Hawaii Into Your Kitchen

This Coconut-Mango Haupia proves that a refreshing tropical dessert does not need to be complicated. With creamy coconut pudding, sweet mango purée, and fresh pieces of fruit, every spoonful delivers a delicious balance of flavor and texture.

Download or save the complete recipe sheet so you can recreate it at home, and keep exploring our blog for more recipes, chef tips, and cooking inspiration.

Want to sharpen your kitchen skills while enjoying a fun, hands-on experience? Explore our upcoming cooking classes at Cooking

Skills & Social in Itasca. Our chef-led classes are approachable, social, and designed for cooks of every experience level.