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Tembleque (Coconut Pudding)

Silky Puerto Rican coconut pudding that wobbles on the plate, finished with a dusting of cinnamon.

By Wanda Oyola 4 h 55 min Easy

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Recipe in testing: I'm cooking it in my TM7™ and will update the steps and the photo with my own.

A flower-shaped coconut pudding dusted with cinnamon on a plate, with a cinnamon stick and pieces of fresh coconut.

Tembleque gets its name from the verb temblar, to tremble, because a good one wobbles when you set it on the table. It is one of the simplest Puerto Rican desserts, just coconut milk, sugar, cornstarch and a pinch of salt, and one of the most loved at Christmas, birthdays and family gatherings. A dusting of cinnamon on top is a must.

Cornstarch custards need constant stirring so they cook evenly without lumps, and that is exactly what the Thermomix® TM7™ does while it heats. Pour the thick custard into a mold, chill it until firm, then turn it out onto a plate.

Made in the Thermomix® TM7™

Tembleque (Coconut Pudding)

Makes: 1 tembleque, about 4 cups (8 servings)

  • Prep10 min
  • Cook15 min
  • Total4 h 55 min
  • Serves8

Ingredients

To serve

Instructions

  1. Brush a 5 cup (1.2 L) mold, or 6 to 8 small molds, with a thin layer of neutral oil.
  2. Place the coconut milk, sugar, cornstarch and salt in the mixing bowl and mix 20 sec/speed 4, until the cornstarch dissolves.
  3. Cook 12 min/95°C (205°F)/speed 4, until the custard is thick and glossy and coats the spatula. If it is still thin, cook 2 min/95°C (205°F)/speed 4 more.
  4. Add the vanilla or orange blossom water, if using, and mix 5 sec/speed 3.
  5. Pour the custard into the mold right away and tap the mold on the counter to release any air bubbles. Let it cool 30 minutes, then cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours, until firm.
  6. To serve, run a thin knife around the edge, place a plate on top and turn the tembleque out. Dust it with cinnamon and garnish with fresh coconut, if you like.

Tips

  • Use full-fat canned coconut milk, not light coconut milk or the coconut beverage sold in cartons, or the tembleque will not set.
  • If it does not come out of the mold, dip the mold in warm water for 10 to 15 seconds and try again.
  • Covered, tembleque keeps 3 days in the fridge.

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