Coconut Cream
Crema de Coco
Recipe Yield
8 to 10 servings
Cooking time
25 minutes
Rate this recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup sweetened coconut flakes or angel flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon fleur de sal or sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground canela or true cinnamon
- 2 14-ounce cans coconut milk
- 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 cup milk
To Prepare
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Spread the sweetened coconut flakes on a small baking sheet, sprinkle with the salt and cinnamon, and mix and spread again. Bake 7 to 8 minutes, or until the coconut flakes barely begin to toast (don't let them brown entirely). They should be slightly crisp and still chewy. Remove from the oven and immediately transfer to a small bowl.
- Pour the coconut milk and sweetened condensed milk into a medium saucepan.
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with the regular milk and stir until completely dissolved. Pour it into the pan with the coconut milk and sweetened condensed milk.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring continuously, until the mixture begins to simmer and thicken, about 8 to 10 minutes, until it coats the back of a wooden spoon. Remove from heat.
- Immediately ladle into custard bowls or ramekins, sprinkle with the toasted coconut. Serve warm right away. Or serve cold later on by letting cool completely, then covering with plastic wrap and chilling in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.
Comments
127comments inCoconut Cream
Barbara Hetzel
Sep 13
I love this recipe, it is SO good!! Saw this on one of your programs. Thank you for all the great recipes.
Pati Jinich
Sep 20
My pleasure Barbara 🙂
Maria
Jul 22
Ayyyy gracias Pati!!
This looks delicioso 😋
I love your recipes and your show!
Pati Jinich
Nov 06
Thanks so very much Maria, un abrazo grande!
Renee Blanchette
Jul 21
Just started watching your show and I am now an avid fan. Just signed up for your news letter. Being Portuguese and French I adore Mexican cuisine. Thank you.
Pati Jinich
Jul 27
Thanks so much Renee, welcome!
Nelsa
Nov 21
DELICIOSO!! So easy to make such a great dessert. My family LOVED IT!! Gracias
Pati Jinich
Jan 01
Yay, happy to hear!
Sylvia
Oct 09
I saw the segment today while you prepared this dish. I can’t wait to try it.
Pati Jinich
Oct 24
Yay, enjoy!
Amber Cruz
Oct 04
This was my first time making this desert, my baby boy who 10 months loved it and my daughter catalina too it was delicious and i love anything with coconut also it dosent take long to make, i will be trying more of your recipes😊
Pati Jinich
Oct 24
Thanks Amber, hugs to your babies!
Jenny
Jul 29
Hello! I want to make this ahead of time for a potluck. If I make it the night before do I add the coconut flakes immediately after ladling the crema into the container like you have in the recipe, OR do I add the coconut flakes the next day after the crema has been refrigerated?? Please help! Thanks, you’re the best!
Pati Jinich
Aug 05
You can do either Jenny, but I’d rather add them when you are ready to serve 😉
Gina
Jun 07
Beautiful recipe Pati it reminds me of a similar dessert my mom used to make “Tembleque” also coconut based
Pati Jinich
Jun 13
Que rico, I love everything coconut 🙂
Teresita Dizon
Jan 31
This is my first time to watch your video. I’m glad I found your video after watching you through your TV programs. Crema de Coco, I’m sure it’s yummy. It’s similar with Maja Blanca. I enjoyed watching your video and became interested when I found your complete ingredients and procedure in the description box. Thank you so much for sharing this yummy Crema de Coco recipe.
Pati Jinich
Feb 07
My pleasure Teresita, so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Myriam Takamatsu
Nov 27
Love watching your cooking programs. This recipe of Crema de coco can’t wait to make it.
I reside on Maui, Hawaii and sometimes we can’t get the ingredients here due to availability. Platanos are so hard to get and when you find them are so expensive. They don’t grow here.
Thank you for your other recipes.
PS: I made the drunken rice (or chicken) with zafran and it turned out delicious!
Pati Jinich
Dec 28
So glad you are cooking and enjoying my recipes Myriam! Un abrazo 🙂
Mike D
Nov 22
Ok. So I made this for the family during the summer 2021 and it came out absolutely delicious. The best part was I decided to make some jasmine rice and mixed it together!!! OMG I’m making this for 14 on thanksgiving at the firehouse
Pati Jinich
Dec 28
I hope everyone enjoyed it and had a great Thanksgiving Mike 🙂
Anita
Aug 14
Loved this! Easy to make and just right for coconut lovers in my house 🏡
Pati Jinich
Aug 14
So glad to read you guys enjoyed this recipe Anita, hugs to all!
Scott
Jul 19
That’s a GOTTA make recipe. I love coconut everything. I often add a can of coconut cream to soups off heat when ready to eat. So good!
Pati Jinich
Jul 21
Yum, I love coconut as well 🙂
Stephanie
Jul 11
This was simple, easy & tasty! Thank you, Pati!
Pati Jinich
Jul 21
My pleasure Stephanie, so glad you liked it 🙂
Elsa C Aguayo
Jul 10
Deliciosa!
Pati Jinich
Jul 21
Yay, gracias!
Brenda Heyward
Jul 09
oh yummy-ness! I love Coconut anything! We lived In Hawaii as kids and got to eat fresh green coconuts right off the trees. Fresh milk was hard to get then (in the 70s) so Coconut milk was a staple as well!
Pati Jinich
Jul 25
How lucky Brenda, I love coconuts as well, yay!
Berna
Jul 09
Love yours receipts
Pati Jinich
Jul 21
Thank you so much Berna 🙂
Pamela
Jun 30
I made it for my family. My sister can’t eat gluten so this was a perfect choice! I served it with cut mango & strawberries. Everyone scraped the bowls clean!
Pati Jinich
Jul 04
Super! Love that everyone loved it Pamela, yay!
Angela navarro
May 03
Patti la crema de coco te quedo riquisima
Pati Jinich
May 07
Que alegria que te gusto Angela!
Victor Santos
Apr 07
Yumo! This was fun to make and exciting to eat!
Sabroso!
Pati Jinich
Apr 11
Yay! Glad you liked it Victor 🙂
Karen Riverwood
Apr 04
Very good! My daughters & cat loved it 🙂 Thank you
Pati Jinich
Apr 04
🙂 🙂 🙂 Happy to know the cat approved 🙂
Jay Rios
Jan 21
I grew up on this in Puerto Rico where we call it Tembleque. We often add orange blossom water. Its one of my favorite desserts.
Pati Jinich
Jan 21
Yummy Jay, thanks so much for sharing 😉
Rosemarie
Sep 16
I’m so hooked on this desert. I like mine chilled. I modify by adding freshly grated nutmeg to mixture and essence. I also add the salt after I sprinkle the toasted coconut. Thanks !
Pati Jinich
Sep 17
Awesome Rosemarie, great additions, enjoy!
Reyna R
Jul 16
Hola Pati,
This recipe sounds delicious, I LOVE coconut. DO you have any substitute for the sweetened condensed milk? No me gusta la leche sweetened condensed milk. I really want to make this recipe.
Stay safe & well, and thank you for the recipes.
Pati Jinich
Jul 19
You can try coconut cream instead Reyna, and if is the sweetness what you don’t like about condensed milk, just use unsweetened cream instead! Enjoy 😉
Pat
May 21
Hi Pati!
I am obsessed with watching you on Prime Video. I will be making the creme de coco this weekend for my family. I enjoy the way you explain your recipes and your expression after you taste it 😋. Thank you
Pati Jinich
May 23
Thank you Pat, enjoy it!
Judy V
May 17
Hi Pati,
I am planning on making this today. Can l use almond milk instead of regular milk?
Pati Jinich
May 20
Of course Judy, almond milk will be great. Enjoy!
Judy V
Jun 17
It was delicious.
Thank you
Anonymous
May 16
Gracias Paty!!! La crema de coco es sabrosa. Mucha Gracias!. Viva Mexico!🇲🇽
Ps we love your recipes and show.
Pati Jinich
May 16
Muchisimas gracias 😉
Robin Z
May 09
Love it! So easy to make and delicious and creamy! Love you Pati!
Pati Jinich
May 11
Thank you Robin, enjoy!
Rosalina Balderas
May 03
Very easy recipe. Delicious
flavor!
Pati Jinich
May 03
Glad you like it Rosalina 😉
Ana Rios Avila
Feb 29
Hola Pati,
Loved the recipe. Thanks for doing a great show on our wonderful country.
Pati Jinich
Mar 01
Gracias Ana! Super orgullosa de la gastronomia de nuestro Mexico 😉
Sheila Miramontes
Sep 28
I can’t wait to try this recipe! I just watched you make it on your PBS show. Yummmm!
Pati Jinich
Sep 29
Thanks for tuning in, Sheila!
Erin
Sep 22
¡Hola, Pati! Muchas gracias para esta receta. Mi esposo es de Nicaragua entonces me gustaría aprender recetas que él le gusta. Una pregunta- can you freeze these left overs? We have more than we can eat.
Pati Jinich
Oct 19
Yo no he congelado este postre…. pero puedes probar y me cuentas como te queda!
Lupita
Aug 02
I am allergic to dairy products, what can i use instead of condensed milk?
Pati Jinich
Aug 19
You can use coconut cream or coconut milk as a replacement, Lupita.
Jenny
Nov 01
There is sweetened condensed coconut milk! I made this using coconut milk and almond milk too. I did add nutmeg to help with the flavor
Lydia Marks
Mar 15
Hi Pati!
Just made the cream De Coco and it came out extremely thick after 4 minutes. I didn’t have corn starch so I used potato starch (which we use in Germany). Could that be the reason?
Pati Jinich
Mar 29
Yes, for sure, it was probably the potato starch – as it is a different ingredient. You may want to use less and cook for less time as well, Lydia.
Hortence Hidalgo
Mar 11
Hi Pati my granddaughter and I tired your recipe and it was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!
Pati Jinich
Mar 18
I’m so glad you guys liked it, Hortence! Say hi to your granddaughter for me.
TJ
Mar 10
I made this and it was delicious. Even the picky kids who “don’t like coconut” really liked it! Can’t do better than that.
Pati Jinich
Mar 18
So glad all the kids love it, TJ!
Darleen
Mar 06
The Crema de coco was so easy to make. What brand of coconut milk did you use? I may have used one that’s not up to par in taste. There’s an after taste that’s left. I’m sure I bought the wrong one.
Pati
Mar 08
Oh I’m sorry to hear this. I recommend you experiment with the different brands you have at your local store to see which you like best.
Elizabeth Carrillo
Mar 04
Can’t wait to try this recipe I think this will be one of our favorite recipes to do in the summer
Thanks Pati we love your sjow!
Pati
Mar 05
It’s a great summer recipe… have a yum summer, Elizabeth!
Eileen G.
Dec 23
Amazing recipe!!!!! Tastes so divine! My family went crazy for it! Cant wait to make it again. 🙂
Pati
Dec 23
Super! So happy to hear this, Eileen.
Veranna B.
Nov 15
Hi Pati! I’m trying to find a recipe you did a couple years ago. Coconut eggnog. I made it and my family loved it, but now I can’t find the recipe. Can you help me?
Pati
Nov 15
Hmmm, here’s my recipe for tradition Mexican eggnog: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/the-washington-post-say-adios-to-eggnog-and-embrace-mexican-drinks-for-a-feliz-navidad/ And here’s my recipe for horchata with coconut: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/recipe/we_can_all_use_a_little_horchata_with_coconut_and_vainilla/
Carmen
Aug 17
I can’t wait till I try it! It sounds like a recipe we have in Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
Love your show
Pati
Aug 17
Thank you Carmen….enjoy the Crema de Coco!
MelissaDodd
May 18
I can’t wait to make this just saw the episode a few minutes ago and had to find it! I’m so excited Thank You Pati!!
Pati
May 18
Awesome! I hope you enjoy it Melissa.
Susan Sabella
May 17
Hi patty loved your creama decoco recipe,and Dannys flourless chocolate pecan cake,was so good,I love all your shows,and how you love your family and Mexico!
Pati
May 18
Thank you so much Susan!
Dawhiteman
May 05
Love your show. Making this next weekend
Pati
May 06
Awesome! I hope you enjoy the recipe.
Vicky
Apr 06
Super rico! We have made it twice now and it is a total hit…the coconut flavor is intense and very satisfying. Gracias por compartir!
Pati
Apr 06
Thank you so much Vicky!
Georgette
Apr 01
Riquísimo!!!! Fácil de hacer. Gracias, Pati por compartir 😀
Pati
Apr 02
Gracias, Georgette!
Rita
Jan 04
Hi Pati, I want to make this but I am not sure what kind of coconut milk to use. There are unsweetened, sweetened, and they are quite different.
I have both your books and have made several recipes from your show. My friends loved your grilled pineapple drink. As did I.
Thank you for sharing your excitement for cooking.
Pati
Jan 05
I’m so glad the pineapple drink was a hit, and I hope you like this recipe! I use regular coconut milk.
Rachelle
Dec 28
Just received your Mexican Table cookbook for a Christmas gift from my son.Cant wait to start cooking from it,all though I think I will start with Crema de coco and the achiote chicken tamales which isn’t in the book.You are an inspiration in the Mexican kitchen.thank you
Pati
Dec 28
Thank you so much Rachelle! I hope you love your cookbook!
Gloria
Dec 16
Love your show and love this recipe.
😋First recipe I tried was pico de guacamole! Love them all!
Hope you do your show forever! 😍
Pati
Dec 19
Thank you so much Gloria!!!
Armando Vega
Aug 29
Hola Pati como se llama el platillo que hizo con Este postre de coco era un tamal de pollo con Achiote y hoja de platano
Pati
Sep 07
Mini Pibis! http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/recipe/mini-pibis/
Vianey F
Aug 05
What if I don’t have small bowls just casserole dishes? What do you recommend? Gracias!
Pati
Aug 07
You can use a casserole and spoon it in small servings as needed. Enjoy!
Vero
Jul 01
Se ve riquisima! Definitivamente la tengo que hacer. Gracias por compartir tanto de nuestro bello México. Saludos y muchisimo mas suerte y bendiciones.
Pati
Jul 06
Muchas gracias Vero!
Rukhsana Uddin
May 31
I am your fan since day one. Love this easiest recipe will try soon.
Continue sharing easy desert recipes
Love You and All the Best for your TV shows.
Pati
Jun 01
I will!
Karina L. Garcia
May 11
I Did This Recipe Yesterday For Mothers Day , It Was Spectacular , Everyone Absolutely Loved It, It Was Just So Perfectly Creamy. Thank You Soo Much Pati For Sharing With Us. I Loooove Your Show And All Your Recipes!!!!
Pati
May 12
Thank you so much Karina! I hope you and your family had a lovely Mother’s Day.
Mike Holly
May 02
I have been looking for this recipe since I was 6 years old.. yep… my first introduction was in a Swanson Enchilada TV dinner! My favorite dessert ever! I let someone else eat the meal! This recipe took me back! And was obviously much better!!
Pati
May 05
Yay!
Liz Schuh
May 02
Este postre es delicioso y facil de hacer…Gracias Pati por compartir esta receta..
Pati
May 05
Gracias Liz!
Liz Schuh
May 02
I made this Crema de Coco today, it was delicious!!
Pati
May 04
So happy you liked it Liz!
Janice
Apr 30
I was so excited to make this and I followed the recipe exactly and found it to be to bland. It was sweet….maybe even too sweet and not enough “umph”. Even my grand children did not care for it. I don’t know what I did wrong. It was beautiful to look at, but no one wanted to eat it.
Pati
May 05
I’m so sorry to hear this Janice!
Victoria
Mar 17
It may be the brand of coconut milk you used in the recipe. I find that some of the coconut milks available in the grocery store are bland and lack coconut flavor. I would recommend using Aroy-D, Chaokoh, or Trader Joe’s brand coconut milk. It may be worth another try if you used a different brand.
Lydia
Apr 21
This dessert is delicious, thank you Pati for sharing this recipe ! Gracias
Pati
Apr 21
Thank YOU Lydia!
Raja
Mar 19
What kind of milk do you use for this recipe? 2%? Whole? or does it matter?
Pati
Mar 20
I recommend using whole milk…but if all you have is 2% it will still turn our delicious!
Madeline
Feb 08
Soooooo good
Pati
Feb 09
Thanks!
Concerned Citizen
Jan 16
Pati, thanks for sharing your recipes! And congratulations on such a lovely Season 5 that shows so much of the beauty of Mexico! I have watched your program since the beginning and have seen your boys grow up, just like a neighbor or friend. You are so real and warm in your presentations.
I love coconut and this is the first recipe from Season 5 that I am going to try. I can almost taste the flavors of this sweet custard dessert.
Your eternal fan and friend, Sylvieann
Pati
Jan 22
Hey Sylvieann, thank you, thank you. So happy you like Season 5, we are now planning where to go for Season 6! So many places to explore… Thank you for sticking with me since the early seasons… that means a lot.!