Fruity Maja Blanca Recipe – Coconut is a prominent ingredient in plenty of Filipino desserts. Whether it be as a topping or a main ingredient, there are different ways to enjoy coconut as a dessert. If you happen to like pudding, there is one pudding dish that features coconut and that is maja blanca. Maja blanca is gelatin-like dessert made primarily from coconut milk. It is commonly served in fiestas and during the holidays, especially Christmas, but you can enjoy it as a treat for friends and family.
The traditional form of maja blanca consists of a coconut pudding with corn kernels mixed in. It adds an extra texture and layer of flavor to the dish, but it’s not for everyone. If you want to try this dessert but do not care that much for corn, then the Fruity Maja Blanc is the route you’ll want to take. As the name indicates, it is a variation of maja blanca with fruits in it. Another name for the dish is Maja Jubilee. The reason for this is because, rather than using fresh fruit, the dish has a fruit cocktail mixed in.
Fruity Maja Blanca Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cans 13.5 ounces each coconut milk
- 1 can 12 ounces evaporated milk
- 1 can 14 ounces condensed milk
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 1/2 cups fruit cocktail drained well
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup shredded Eden cheese
Instructions
- To start, grab a 13 x 9 baking dish and brush the bottom and sides with some coconut oil or melted butter.
- In a large pot, combine some coconut milk, evaporated milk, condensed milk, and sugar. Bring it to a gentle boil, stirring regularly until the sugar dissolves. Next, add in 2 cups of fruit cocktail and stir it all together, letting it cook for about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Now, in a small bowl, mix some water and cornstarch until the cornstarch is dissolved. Gently add it into the milk mixture, whisking vigorously to prevent any lumps from forming. Keep whisking and cooking until the mixture thickens to a nice, smooth paste.
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared dish, using a lightly oiled spatula or knife to smooth out the top. While it’s still warm, let’s add a little extra fruity goodness. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of fruit cocktail on top, making it look as pretty as it tastes.
- After letting it cool slightly, cover and pop it in the fridge for about 1 to 2 hours, or until it's completely cooled and set. And now for the finishing touch – sprinkle some shredded cheese on top!
Tips and Tricks to a Fruity Maja Blanca Recipe
If you want to use a good fruit cocktail for the dish, you should get one that has at least pineapple and cherries in them. There is a variety of fruit cocktails you can use but a classic blend is always good to use. Just make sure to drain the cocktail well since the extra heavy syrup might affect the consistency of the pudding. You also don’t want to end up with an overly sweet dessert. Not unless you prefer sweeter treats than others.
It’s also good to keep in mind that making a dessert like maja blanca is not something you rush. For example, make sure to not have the milk mixture reach a boiling point or it will end up curdled. Aside from this, you an play around with the toppings. If a cheese topping doesn’t suit your taste, you can switch it up with strips of coconut.
Other Options for a Sweet Dessert
As stated, there are plenty of options for desserts involving coconut. If you want to try another variation of this pudding, there is “Ube Maja Blanca” you can try. Another coconut dessert you can try is “Buko Pie,” or if you want a dessert featuring coconut, “Palitaw” is an option.
Are you interested in trying other desserts that have a fruit cocktail in them? Then you should check out “Crema de Fruta.” If you want to check out other twists on classic desserts, you should check out “Leche Flan Cake.” For dishes that are similar to maja blanca, you should check out “Ginataang Mais,” which has a comparable dish called “Ginataang Munggo.” Otherwise you can try something savory like “Suam na Mai.” If you want something completely different, check out “Sago at Gulaman” or “Binaki.“
