I found this recipe and decided to make it on Sunday night for our small group. A couple of my friends who were coming can’t eat dairy, so I figured it would be perfect. I had it whipped together and served into cups by the time friends began arriving. And then, it just sat there, looking ever so inviting and refreshing.
Seeing as this is sort of like ice cream, and seeing as the cups of Cool Pineapple Cream Dessert were just sitting there on the counter while my friends and I waited for the burgers to come off the grill so we could eat, and seeing as my stomach was growling as loud as a mack truck – I interrupted our visiting and said something like, “Forget it. I’m not waiting for a burger. I’m going to try one of these. You guys want one?”
And so it was that three of us gals stood in the kitchen, eating our desserts before dinner even began. Hey, the kids were all outside running around. Nobody even knew. Except that I just ratted us out to all of you. But you’ll never tell, right?
Cool Pineapple Cream Dessert. It’s a dessert, it’s a snack, it’s breakfast, it’s lunch, it’s a cool treat in the evening while you’re sitting outside on the porch. This recipe can be whatever you want or need it to be. Why? Because it’s sweet enough to be a dessert, but it’s healthy enough to be a part of your meal. With only three, whole food ingredients, and no added sugar – this recipe is perfect.
My friends and I decided it tasted a bit like pineapple sherbet from the store. If you want this to taste a little sweeter, simply add a few drops of real maple syrup. I thought it was great without any added sugar. In fact, after I was a good girl and ate my dinner, I went ahead and ate two more cups of this goodness, guilt free. I just couldn’t help myself.
Cool Pineapple Cream Dessert
4 cups (give or take) frozen pineapple chunks
1 can (13.5 ounces) chilled coconut milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Blend all ingredients together in a food processor or blender until smooth and creamy. Serve right away. Makes 6-10 servings.
Can other milk options work in this recipe? I don’t see why not. Regular cow milk should work just fine (1 1/2 cups), and I’m guessing almond or rice milk would work – although I don’t have much experience with either of those. Coconut milk gives this extra great nutrients, plus a mixture of pineapple and coconut will help you make believe you are vacationing in Hawaii. Especially if you are eating dessert before dinner, right? Ah the beauty of being a grown up. :)
Ever snuck dessert before dinner when the kids weren’t around to catch you?
What type of coconut milk did you use? I’ve seen light coconut milk and one that must be thicker? This sounds like a pina colada and absolutely delicious!!
This is my favorite brand of coconut milk: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001HTJ2BQ?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B001HTJ2BQ&linkCode=xm2&tag=wwwheavenlyho-20
Sound yummy. It think I may try it with peaches also.
Ooh, good idea!
This looks delicious, easy, and healthy. I like that it uses coconut milk. I usually add coconut milk to my smoothies as I love the taste. I think it’s okay to eat dessert before dinner, especially healthy dessert. I won’t tell. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Laura, I just made this and while the taste is delicious, it was not thick, sort of runny. I used 2 cans of pineapple chunks , frozen-what am I doing wrong?
this is an ideal dessert for me, as I’m diabetic.
My guess is the runniness is from using canned pineapple instead of fresh/frozen. Even though you froze the canned, it has a more liquid texture. See if you can find frozen pineapple in the frozen fruit section at your grocery store. That is what works best for me!
Thanks Laura, I had a feeling it might be the canned pineapple. but still tastes soooo good. and do try this with maple syrup. delicious.
I used canned pineapple, but drained the liquid first, and it was perfect!
This sounds so easy and yummy! I don’t know why anyone would want to use any other milk! ;) I might add some chopped walnuts and shredded coconut on top..I like a little added crunch. Can’t wait to make this tomorrow.
Thanks Laura!
Made this….and LOVED IT! I froze mine into Popsicles …. So we could enjoy later o
In the day…. DELISH! (Also put some in a glass pan…. Kept stirring every hour…than shaved with a fork for granadas!! Yum!
Finally got to make this tonight. I did use canned pineapple as that is what I had and I put it in the freezer Friday night. No time to make it last night so I did it tonight. It was a little soft but could also be due to the fact it was over 80 degrees in my house. It served three of us and the rest I turned into popsicles. I guess we’ll see those turn out but eating with a spoon was so delicious. I will look for frozen pineapple at the store to see how that compares. I love simple deserts and this will be perfect all summer long. Thanks!
Could this dessert be frozen ahead of time and then thawed a little before serving?
Thanks!
Yep!
Laura, I have to do a follow up on this heavenly dessert. I used fresh pineapple, then froze it, this was out of this world good!!!
then made it with peaches fresh, then frozen, good , but nothing compared to pineapple.
Then used fresh berries, frozen…. heavenly…
I think the reason the peach was not super good ,the peaches were not all that sweet . will give that another try.
I have eaten it just made, also froze some .. equally great dessert .
Thanks for a wonderful recipe.
Awesome! I tried it with strawberries yesterday – sooo good! I’ll be posting about it soon.
I’m going to try this but replace a bit of the coconut milk with kefir and freeze into popsicles. Cultured Food for Life cookbook has a similar recipe using fresh pineapple, honey or stevia and kefir cheese and it makes a wonderful rich dip for fruits and crackers… plus I think if you added some gelatin it could easily turn into pineapple kefir cheese (cream cheese) pie perfect for summer!
Laura — just wanted to tell you that I am so excited to see you posting more sugar-free stuff. I have been off of sugar for a year since a breast cancer diagnosis. (Doing great now!) I have been using stevia more, so I am happy to see stevia recipes as well. You are my favorite blog. :) This pineapple dessert was awesome!
Anna, I did drain my canned pineapple , but then used fresh.. big difference in texture and taste. I just made a batch with frozen blackberries, fresh…frozen…. O my goodness… it’s good. I really think any fruit will be great in this.
and yes I agree frozen after made is best.
will be my summertime dessert now.
This recipe looks delicious AND it fits the paleo autoimmune protocol (a rare thing). So, thank you! I host a weekly Paleo AIP Recipe Roundtable through my blog, and I would love it if you linked up this recipe. I’m trying to expand resources for the AIP community. Here’s the link (you click the blue button at the bottom of the post to add your recipe): http://www.phoenixhelix.com/2014/06/25/paleo-aip-recipe-roundtable-32/
We liked it but I really need more sweetness! Could I add some honey to it maybe?
Sure, that should work!