In search of a traditional style low carb pudding? You'll love this creamy coconut pudding that's made with coconut milk and cream cheese.
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Cooked Coconut Pudding
Although I enjoyed the coconut custard I made earlier this month, it didn't turn out as creamy as I had hoped. To fix this problem, I thought I'd try a cooked pudding using both coconut milk and heavy cream.
I've made a lot of low carb pudding recipes over the years. And I've found that cooked puddings tend to taste better than the instant no cook recipes like my tofu pudding and avocado pudding.
It is a little more work to cook the pudding on the stove top or oven, but I find the extra step is worth it. And cooking allows using whole eggs or egg yolks which are excellent for thickening a pudding or custard. I've also made a creamy keto chocolate pudding without eggs. But that recipe is cooked to thicken and reduce the liquid. However, since there weren't any eggs, I had to use some xanthan gum as a thickener.
How to make coconut pudding
I start out by adding a little heavy cream, low carb sweetener, coconut extract, and vanilla extract to unsweetened coconut in a microwaveable mixing bowl. Then the combined mixture gets microwaved on high for a minute to soften up the shredded coconut.
While the coconut mixture is in the microwave, I beat together an egg with some heavy cream and set it aside.
Next, in a saucepan, cream cheese and coconut milk are heated on medium heat until the cheese melts. Then the coconut mixture is stirred in and the combined mixture is cooked until it's heated throughout. The beaten egg mixture is added in next and stirred until the pudding thickens.
Once thickened, the coconut pudding mixture is divided into four small dessert dishes or ramekins. It's then placed in the refrigerator to set.
About the Ingredients
For thickeners in this creamy coconut milk pudding, I used cream cheese and an egg. The added cheese was genius! I need to consider this ingredient more often.
Coconut extract was added to enhance the flavor and vanilla extract was added to boost the sweetness. I have to tell you that this pudding was much better than the custard and required no baking.
The addition of heavy cream and cream cheese made the pudding very creamy and smooth.
I chose to use a granular monk fruit sweetener in the coconut milk pudding recipe because I have a few bags that I need to use up. But any other sweeteners you happen to have on hand. Sukrin or Swerve sweeteners would be good choices as well.
Making the Pudding Dairy-Free
Although this creamy coconut milk pudding isn't dairy-free, it has a wonderful texture like regular style puddings. But, I'd like to tweak the recipe a bit to see if I can get a similar texture without adding any dairy products.
To leave out the cream cheese, coconut cream could be used in place of both the coconut milk and heavy cream to get the same texture. There's a lot more coconut fat in the cream which makes it much thicker than coconut milk.
There's also keto friendly dairy-free cream cheese spreads that could be used in place of the cream cheese. The one made by Kite Hill uses almond milk and I think it would be a good substitute in the recipe.
Creamy Coconut Milk Pudding - Low Carb
Although I'd like to call this a no bake recipe, you do need to cook it on the stove. But, you could probably use the microwave if you want to speed things up.
Be sure to leave a comment below if you do give this pudding a try to let us know what you thought. And if you like it, you may want to give my keto lemon pudding or my keto flan a try as well.
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Recipe
Creamy Coconut Milk Pudding
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ¼ cup granular monk fruit sweetener
- 4 ounces cream cheese cut into pieces
- 1 egg beaten
- ½ cup heavy cream or coconut cream
- ½ cup coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In microwave safe bowl, mix ¼ cup of heavy cream with coconut, sweetener, and extracts. Microwave on high for one minute. Let stand.
- In separate small bowl, beat egg with ¼ cup of heavy cream then set aside.
- Place coconut milk and cream cheese into sauce pan. Cook and stir on medium heat until the cream cheese melts.
- Add the coconut mixture and continue cooking until mixture is heated throughout. Then add the beaten egg mixture and stir constantly until pudding thickens.
- Pour into 4 small baking dishes and cool in refrigerator.
Notes
Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart
Nutrition
Additional Info
Notes on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Copyright
© LowCarbYum.com - Unauthorized use of this material without written permission is strictly prohibited unless for personal offline purposes. Single photos may be used, provided that full credit is given to LowCarbYum.com along with a link back to the original content.
Post updated in February 2019. Originally published March 2011.
Janet
This was amazing! And easy too. Will definitely make again.
Nicole
Pretty good but the cream cheese flavor was stronger than I expected.
Lydia
Really good. I didn’t make recipe exactly as written. I omitted egg and thickened with a bit of gelatin instead. Also added sweetener to taste at the end Instead of mixing first. Came out delicious with a nice texture
Brandie
I made this with coconut "flour" instead of shredded coconut. While it adds texture it's not as much as with shredded coconut. Even my husband who hates coconut texture liked this. It doesnt taste like coconut, either.
I also used powdered sugar substitute.
I'm so thankful to have a pudding recipe that doesnt use xanthan gum!
Darlene
I use jello instant coconut cream pudding mix for a fruit dip. Gonna make this and try to see if it will work as a no sugar/low carb option. I know fruit in itself is full of carbs, but cutting them where I can.
Lisa MarcAurele
This should work out as a sub for the pudding mix. But let us know if it didn't.
Anne22
Made this pretty much as written but did replace the coconut milk for the coconut cream and did use some heavy cream. I personally found it far too heavy and dense, but that’s just me. My husband absolutely LOVED it. Also served it to a couple of friends and they ate their entire bowl. I wasn’t a fan but he’s requested I make this again so I’m giving it 5 stars lol. Thanks!
Debbie
Oh my! Both my husband and I loved this recipe! I doubled it and it took willpower not to eat at least 1 more, he could have eaten them all????I am making another batch tonight.
Lisa MarcAurele
Yay! So glad it was a hit with both of you.
Daughterof YESHUA
This was delicious!