13 Mango Desserts That Taste Like a Tropical Vacation in Every Bite
Few fruits make people smile like a ripe, juicy mango. It is sweet, bright and a little floral, and it turns any dessert into a mini vacation. Better yet, mango desserts are often light and refreshing, so they feel perfect after a heavy dinner. From Thai sticky rice to a creamy Filipino mango float, these treats come from kitchens all over the world. Also, many of them work with frozen mango, so you can make them all year. Ready to bring a little sunshine to your table? Let us dig in..
Creamy Mango Panna Cotta Cups
We are starting with one of the prettiest mango desserts you can make. Silky vanilla panna cotta sits under a bright layer of mango puree, so every spoonful is creamy and fruity at the same time. It looks fancy, but it only needs a few ingredients and some time in the fridge. Also, you can make it a day before a party. Would you add a mint leaf or a few berries on top?
You will need: 2 cups heavy cream, 1/2 cup milk, 1/3 cup sugar, 2 1/2 teaspoons gelatin, 3 tablespoons cold water, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 2 ripe mangoes, 1 tablespoon lime juice
How to make it: First, sprinkle the gelatin over cold water and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then warm the cream, milk and sugar until steaming, and stir in the gelatin and vanilla. Next, pour it into glasses and chill for 4 hours. After that, blend the mangoes with lime juice until smooth. Finally, spoon the mango puree on top and serve cold.
Famous Mango Desserts: Thai Mango Sticky Rice
This is the most famous of all mango desserts, and it is a street food star in Thailand. Warm sticky rice soaks up sweet, salty coconut milk. Then it is served next to slices of perfectly ripe mango. The mix of warm and cold, creamy and fresh, is simply addictive. Have you tried it at a Thai restaurant yet?
You will need: 1 1/2 cups glutinous (sticky) rice, 1 can coconut milk, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 2 ripe mangoes, toasted sesame seeds
How to make it: First, soak the rice in water for at least 4 hours, then steam it for 20 minutes. Next, warm the coconut milk with sugar and salt until it dissolves. After that, pour most of it over the hot rice and let it rest for 15 minutes. Finally, serve with sliced mango, drizzle the rest of the coconut sauce on top and add sesame seeds.
Mango Cheesecake
Mango and cream cheese go together beautifully. This cheesecake has a crunchy cookie crust, a smooth mango filling and a glossy mango layer on top. The flavor is sweet and tangy, but it still feels light. In fact, many people who say they do not love cheesecake change their mind after one bite. Is cheesecake your go to party dessert?
You will need: 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 5 tablespoons melted butter, 16 oz cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1 1/2 cups mango puree, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 teaspoon gelatin, 2 tablespoons water
How to make it: First, press the crumbs and butter into a springform pan. Then beat the cream cheese and sugar, and add the eggs, vanilla and 1 cup mango puree. Next, bake at 325F for 50 minutes and cool completely. After that, warm the rest of the puree with gelatin dissolved in water. Finally, pour it on top and chill overnight.
Fluffy Mango Mousse
Mango mousse is like eating a sweet tropical cloud. Whipped cream gets folded into fresh mango puree, so the texture is light and airy. Plus, there is no baking at all. You can serve it in small glasses for a dinner party or in a big bowl for the family. Quick poll: is your favorite texture (A) fluffy mousse, (B) creamy pudding, (C) icy sorbet, or (D) cheesecake? Also, if you love this, try our healthy desserts that taste amazing.
You will need: 2 cups mango puree, 1/3 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons gelatin, 3 tablespoons water, 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, fresh mango cubes for topping
How to make it: First, bloom the gelatin in water, then melt it in the microwave for 10 seconds. Then stir it into the mango puree with the sugar. Next, whip the cream until soft peaks form. After that, gently fold the cream into the mango mixture. Finally, spoon it into glasses, chill for 3 hours and top with mango cubes.
Healthy Mango Desserts: Mango Coconut Chia Pudding
Want one of the healthier mango desserts? This chia pudding is light, creamy and full of fiber. The chia seeds soak in coconut milk overnight, so you wake up to a ready made treat. Then you layer it with mango puree for a pretty two tone look. It works as breakfast too, which is always a win.
You will need: 1 cup coconut milk, 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup chia seeds, 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 cup mango puree, mango cubes
How to make it: First, whisk the coconut milk, yogurt, chia seeds, honey and vanilla in a bowl. Then let it sit for 10 minutes and stir again so it does not clump. Next, cover and chill overnight. After that, spoon the pudding into glasses. Finally, top each one with mango puree and fresh mango.
Hong Kong Mango Pudding
This pudding is a favorite at dim sum restaurants. It is smooth and wobbly, with a strong, sweet mango flavor. Usually, it is served with a splash of evaporated milk on top. It is also very easy to make at home with simple ingredients. So if you love dim sum, this one might become a weekly treat.
You will need: 2 cups mango puree, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon gelatin, 1/2 cup hot water, 1 cup evaporated milk, mango cubes
How to make it: First, dissolve the gelatin and sugar in the hot water. Then stir in the mango puree and evaporated milk until smooth. Next, add a few mango cubes to small cups or molds. After that, pour the mixture over them. Finally, chill for 4 hours and serve with a little extra evaporated milk.
Dairy Free Mango Desserts: Two Ingredient Mango Sorbet
Yes, you can make sorbet with no ice cream machine. Just blend frozen mango with a little sweetener and lime juice. The result is thick, icy and super refreshing. Also, it is dairy free, so almost everyone can enjoy it. It might be the easiest of all the mango desserts on this list. Would you add a pinch of chili powder like they do in Mexico?
You will need: 4 cups frozen mango chunks, 1/4 cup honey or agave, 2 tablespoons lime juice, splash of water if needed
How to make it: First, let the frozen mango sit for 5 minutes so it softens a bit. Then put everything in a food processor. Next, blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides. After that, serve it right away as soft sorbet. Finally, freeze leftovers for 2 hours if you want firmer scoops.
No Churn Mango Ice Cream
This creamy ice cream needs only three main ingredients and a freezer. Whipped cream and sweetened condensed milk make the base rich and smooth. Then fresh mango puree gives it a sunny color and fruity flavor. In fact, it scoops like store bought ice cream. Who wants a cone?
You will need: 2 cups heavy cream, 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk, 1 1/2 cups mango puree, 1 teaspoon vanilla, pinch of salt
How to make it: First, whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Then stir the condensed milk, mango puree, vanilla and salt together. Next, fold the whipped cream into the mango mixture. After that, pour it into a loaf pan and smooth the top. Finally, freeze for 6 hours or overnight.
Mango Mousse Cake
This cake looks like it came from a fancy bakery window. A soft sponge base holds a thick layer of mango mousse. Then whipped cream and fresh mango go on top. Because it sets in the fridge, it is a great make ahead birthday cake. Moreover, it is lighter than a buttercream cake, so it is perfect for summer parties.
You will need: 1 thin vanilla sponge layer, 2 cups mango puree, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon gelatin, 1/4 cup water, 2 cups heavy cream, whipped cream and mango for topping
How to make it: First, place the sponge in the bottom of a springform pan. Then bloom the gelatin in water and melt it. Next, mix it with mango puree and sugar. After that, fold in the whipped heavy cream and pour it over the sponge. Finally, chill for 6 hours and decorate with cream and mango.
Party Mango Desserts: Mini Mango Tarts
Little tarts are always a hit at parties, because everyone gets their own. These mini mango desserts have crisp shells, a smooth vanilla custard and a pile of fresh mango on top. You can use store bought tart shells to save time. Also, a brush of warm apricot jam makes the fruit shine. Which would you grab first from the tray?
You will need: 12 mini tart shells, 1 cup milk, 3 egg yolks, 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 2 mangoes (diced), 2 tablespoons apricot jam
How to make it: First, heat the milk until steaming. Then whisk the yolks, sugar and cornstarch, and slowly add the hot milk. Next, cook it while stirring until thick, then stir in vanilla and cool. After that, fill the tart shells with custard. Finally, top with mango and brush with warm jam.
Mango Shaved Ice
On a hot day, nothing beats a big bowl of shaved ice. In Taiwan and Korea, mango shaved ice is a summer must. Fluffy ice is topped with fresh mango, mango syrup and a drizzle of condensed milk. It is cold, sweet and so fun to share. Plus, you can make it with a blender if you do not have an ice shaver.
You will need: 4 cups ice (or frozen milk cubes), 2 mangoes, 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons water, sweetened condensed milk, a scoop of mango ice cream (optional)
How to make it: First, blend one mango with sugar and water to make a syrup. Then shave or blend the ice until it is fluffy like snow. Next, pile it into a chilled bowl. After that, top with diced mango and the syrup. Finally, drizzle with condensed milk and add ice cream if you like.
No Bake Mango Desserts: Filipino Mango Float
Mango float is a beloved icebox cake in the Philippines, especially at holidays. Layers of graham crackers, sweet cream and ripe mango soften together in the fridge. Then it becomes sliceable, almost like a cake. Best of all, there is no oven needed. If you have never tried it, this might become your new favorite of all the mango desserts.
You will need: 2 cups heavy cream, 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 box graham crackers, 3 to 4 ripe mangoes (sliced)
How to make it: First, whip the cream until soft peaks form. Then fold in the condensed milk and vanilla. Next, line a dish with graham crackers and spread a layer of cream. After that, add a layer of mango slices and repeat the layers. Finally, finish with cream and mango, then chill for at least 6 hours.
Mango Passion Fruit Jelly
These jiggly jellies are bright, fruity and very pretty. Mango and passion fruit together taste like a tropical holiday. You can set them in fun molds or simple cups. In addition, they are naturally fat free and light. Quick poll: which tropical flavor wins for you, (A) mango, (B) passion fruit, (C) pineapple, or (D) coconut?
You will need: 2 cups mango puree, 1/2 cup passion fruit pulp, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 cup water, 1 1/2 tablespoons gelatin
How to make it: First, sprinkle the gelatin over 1/4 cup of the water. Then heat the rest of the water with sugar until it dissolves. Next, stir in the gelatin until smooth. After that, mix in the mango puree and passion fruit. Finally, pour into molds and chill for 4 hours.
