Tropical Maja Blanca pudding cake is like biting into a slice of tropical paradise topped with toasted macadamia nuts and freshly cut pineapple and is deliciously vegan, lactose-free and gluten-free.
Think Spring!
Are you chilled to the bone and sick and tired of that "white cold stuff" falling from the sky or just a gray and dull sky? Then come along with me as we are going to crank the heat up, put on our itsy bitsy bikinis/Bermuda trunks, make ourselves a margarita and Enjoy a little slice of tropical heaven with a Philippine dessert called Maja Blanca. (We are not be actually donning that itsy bitsy yellow polka dot bikini but we do highly suggest you try this delicious dessert. )
Tropical Maja Blanca
Maja blanca is a very traditional sweet treat also sometimes called a coconut cake or coconut pudding from the Philippines. Our very sweet little Shirley Vilan was making a traditional batch of Maja Blanca for her friend's 50th birthday party.
I wanted to learn how to make this delicious Philippine dessert, so joined in on the cooking, but I opted to make my version gluten-free, lactose free, vegan and low-fat. You know we are always the radical one in the group and have to be different.
If you are looking for another easy, delicious melt in your mouth dessert from the Philippines, be sure to try this rich and decadent Filipino Style Cassava Cake.
Traditional Maja Blanca
The "traditional" maja blanca is not the healthiest of all options as it has full fat cream, evaporated milk or sometimes even sweetened condensed milk and full fat coconut milk or even coconut cream. The mix of dry ingredients to wet ingredients is really easy to remember as it is 1 cup cornstarch to 5 cups of liquid
Dairy Free Lightened up Version of Tropical Maja Blanca
I have a lactose intolerance so I decided to swap out all of the heavy cream with almond milk and use low-fat coconut milk. You can use any milk exchange you wish but be aware that soy milk sometimes turns gray. White or yellow coconut cream makes for a prettier maja blanca.
I think that 4 parts of coconut milk to 1 parts almond milk was a perfect balance of flavors but you can change that to suite your likes, you just need to end up with 5 cups of liquid milk type of product to one cup cornstarch.
As you know, I do not like really sweet desserts, but only delicately sweet ones. You can exchange coconut sugar or alternative sweeteners as desired or the amount of sugar to suite your needs. If you want to make yours diabetic friendly, then use berries, instead of pineapple to garnish and of course sugar alternative instead of granulated sugar. You will still need to count this as your diabetic exchange for a carbohydrate. My Tropical Maja Blanca version is lactose-free, gluten-free, vegan and the lightened up version of a traditional maja blanca.
Forget the Corn and bring on the Pineapples
Traditionally, corn is usually mixed in the maja blanca (coconut pudding) with crushed peanuts on top. Yeah... I know what you are thinking... !!! Asia puts shrimp, oysters and corn on top of their pizza too. So with that in mind, I knew that you may not like that so I kept mind plain and smooth and creamy and instead topped it with tropical flavors to compliment the coconut pudding such as fresh pineapple and toasted macadamia nuts. Be sure to check out our post on How to Cut a Fresh Pineapple in under 5 minutes. Have fun with your toppings as it is really nice to have something crunchy on top like nuts, toasted coconut and don't knock it until you try it but if you like corn, it really adds and interesting sweet taste and texture to this dessert.
Just 15 minutes and dessert is ready
This is one simple dessert as you just cook it on the stove over low heat for about 15 minutes, pour in a dish and cool and eat. It has only 6 little ingredients, you have to love that! I put a little coconut oil on to my dish to prevent it from sticking but Shirley did not and hers did not stick at all either. This is such and easy and tasty dessert and it makes you feel like you are on holiday in the tropics.
If you want a tropical menu to help beat those winter blues, then please try my Hawaiian Luau Rice, Tropical Thai swordfish and for dessert a slice of my tropical maja blanca. I am sure you will forget all about that cold white stuff on the ground.
So what are you waiting for? Turn on that Jimmy Buffett music on, whip up a tropical maja blanca dessert and lets take a mental holiday...to the tropics.
More Delicious Philippine Recipes
Camote Bihon (Sweet Potato Noodles)
Adobong Pulang Sitaw (Long RED Beans)
Banana Leaf Wrapped Coconut Fish
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Tropical Maja Blanca
Ingredients
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 4 cups coconut milk
low fat - 1 cup almond milk (or milk product or substitute of choice)
- ¾ cup sugar or sugar alternative (I used coconut sugar but you can use any sugar alternative of choice or just granulated sugar)
- 1 cup pineapple fresh cut into slices or about ¼ of whole fresh pineapple
- ½ cup macadamia nuts
toasted and crushed - coconut oil or spray oil - (just a light coating inside the dish to prevent sticking)
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, add cornstarch and slowly add the coconut milk and almond milk and whisk to get out any lumps. Add the sugar. Stir over low heat/simmer and stir continuously for about 12-15 minutes or until maja blanca is thick enough that it does not drip off of your spoon. You must stir continuously or it will stick and burn on the bottom of the pan. (If you want to add sweet corn, you would add one cup drained, at this point, and stir well)
- Grease the bottom of your 9 inch pie pan or pan equivalency with coconut oil (optional) and pour inside your hot and thick maja blanca. Allow the maja blanca to come to room temperature and then put in the freezer for ½ hour and then transfer to the refrigerator for at least one and a half hours until set. You do not need to put in the freezer but it helps to expedite the setting procedure.
- Garnish your tropical maja blanca with pineapple and toasted macadamia nuts or anything your heart desires. More traditional toppings include toasted coconut and crushed peanuts. Enjoy!
wok with ray says
Looks delicious. I've never had maja blanca with pineapple. It is definitely one to try.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Ray! I bet you have never had a Maja Blanca made this this before. Do you usually make yours with full cream and sweetened condensed milk? My friend, Shirley, used a full fat cream called "Dream" from one of the Philippine markets here in Hong Kong. She did not use sweetened condensed milk as she prefers hers just lightly sweet, like me. You have so many delicious sweet treats listed on your site, on my way to check it out now!
Abbe @ This is How I Cook says
Wow! I am so loving this version and I bet it beat the traditional one, hands down! Your photos are awesome and I love white cosmos!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you Abbe! I think both the traditional version and the lightened up version of this dessert are very special in their own way. If you like corn in your desserts then you should really try it as it gives this dessert a fun texture.
Kathleen Richardson says
BAM, I'm loving the snow we're finally getting here in NYS's Southern Tier. Having said that, however, I look forward to spring days when I can really appreciate this beautiful dessert.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Dearest Kathleen! Sending you some warm thoughts and warm breezes your way. You could easily cut the proportions of this dessert down to 1/4 and it would be perfect. a slice for now and a slice for later... Take care, BAM
Mary Frances says
That pure white color and the bright yellows are so lively and just gorgeous. Your photography is so beautiful as usual.
Healthy World Cuisine says
I am glad you like the photos. However, I am sure you will like tasting the tropical Maja Blanca even more. Take care
Robyn says
I was wondering the same thing as Nagi and I've come to the conclusion that it's just plain heaven! Love that it's so easy and I can't wait to serve this on girls' night! Bobbi, you are always so wonderfully creative in your kitchen and this is special! Gorgeous photos 🙂 Sharing all over. Have a great weekend!
Healthy World Cuisine says
This dessert would be fun on a girls night or any gathering you want to forget about that white cold stuff outside. When I lived in snowy cold Michigan, we used to have a party every year around this time for those who could not afford taking time off work to go on a holiday to the beach. We played some Jimmy Buffett, made some fun drinks with lots of fruit and umbrellas hanging off of it and of course ate. If I would have known about this Maja Blanca dessert back then, it would have been perfect. Wishing you a super weekend!
nagimaehashi says
I was so curious what this was when I saw the picture! Is it a cake? Is it a pudding? I wondered - came over to check it out - and am now convinced that I have to give it a go! 🙂 The ingredients list is crazy short too. Easy! 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you Nagi! Tropical Maja Blanca is a really fun dessert and with just 6 little ingredients and 15 minutes, a snap to put together for a gathering. It has the texture of a silky and creamy dessert. I hope you give it a try. I am delighted you were able to meet up with a few other bloggers this week, how fun is that! Have a super weekend!
Marcela (tortadellafiglia) says
Amazing dessert! I love pineapple and coconut flavors mixed together! Just like pina colada! lovely!
Marcela (tortadellafiglia) says
wow! What a lovely dessert! I love coconut and pineapple flavors mixed together! Sounds delicious!
sweetsimplestuff says
I've got to try this one and share it with some Filipino friends! Gorgeous photos, too 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Brenda! I know I rarely post desserts on Healthy World Cuisine, but I finally did. My hubby thinks I need to get that changed around pronto... wink wink...I hope you enjoy this delicately sweet dessert. If you are making for your friends from the Philippines, I would recommend adding the corn and sprinkle with toasted peanuts as this is more traditional.
kitchenriffs says
Wow, gorgeous dish! Love the pictures, particularly the spatula one. 😉 This looks excellent -- thanks.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello John, that spatula was just for you and if you want you can lick the bowl clean too. The good thing about this dessert is there is no raw eggs to worry about. I am glad you like the photos, I have a long way to catch up to you but I am trying. Take care, BAM
Dawn says
Looks absolutely delicious, and perfect for this early spring!!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you Dawn! Sending some warm thoughts and breezes your way!
allthatsjas says
OMG, are you kidding me right now? That is the most beautiful dessert I've even seen.....droooooooling is understatement! My two favorite combinations: coconut and pineapple. And what a pretty name too! Loving the styling with the flowers and then simple ingredients....wow. Gotta make it this weekend, maybe it'll make me feel like the spring is near 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you dear! I love coconut and pineapple too. I can almost feel the warm sand under my feet, hear the waves from the ocean and feel the warm breeze on my face with each and every bite of a tropical Maja Blanca. It is one of those desserts that will take you away... on a mini holiday. Sending some warm breezes your way...
hotlyspiced says
Well this is just perfect for the weather we're having right now. I really love the look of this and I think I prefer your version, with the coconut low-fat milk instead of the full-cream dairy variety. To me the tropical flavour of the coconut is so perfect with the pineapple xx
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you Charlie! I am delighted to hear that you were able to meet up with Maureen and other fantastic bloggers this week. Australia is such a happening foodie destination, it really needs to get on my bucket list. I thought most readers, unless your home country is from the Philippines, would appreciate the coconut and pineapple combo as it has spring/summer written all over it. Have a super weekend and wishing your daughter a speedy recovery!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Wow Bobbie- I am LOVING the texture of this Tropical Maja Blanca - and, being lactose intolerant myself - I so appreciate your lightened up, lactose-free, gluten-free, vegan version!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you Shashi! I think most people would have not problem with the full fat, full cream/milk version but for us that would be lactose intolerant torture. Well 5 minutes of bliss and a day or so of torture. I did not miss the full cream for one moment and it really is a delightful and a fun dessert. Wishing you a very happy, snowless and warmer weekend!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
That is so pretty and perfect for a hot summer night like tonight. I'm in!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hi There Maureen, thank you dear. It really is a refreshing dessert and not too heavy. Smooth and creamy but light. I am delighted you were able to meet up with Nagi and Charlie, just to name a few foodie bloggers. The world really is a small place!