Crushed Pineapple Dessert
I’ve served this Crushed Pineapple Dessert at many summer gatherings and it’s always been met with a certain enthusiasm. At first I was surprised, given how simple it is. Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, get recipes & tips every week! But now I can say for sure that this no-bake dessert recipe that takes me all of 15 minutes to prepare will sometimes overshadow the belabored kheer or the sweets from the dessert shop. Inspired by a local Pakistani restaurant’s Dilbahar Ananas (a fancy term for the cool whip-based Pineapple Delight) and my friend Sarah’s (Flour and Spice Blog) Lemon Mousse, this recipe is elegant yet casual, effortless yet show-stopping. The texture is light and fluffy thanks to the gelatin, which is easy to use and keeps for years. I suggest you find some, but Sarah has made her original recipe plenty of times without it, so it’s worth making regardless. In any case, you can’t go wrong! More Quick and Easy Desserts: 20-Minute Sheer Khurma, Instant Pot Kheer, 20-Minute Sooji Halwa
Ingredients
IMPORTANT: Such few ingredients means the quality of each is exponentially important. For best results, use the highest quality you can find.
Unflavored powdered gelatin: Stabilizes the whipped cream and gives it a mousse-like texture. This can be hard to find if you use halal gelatin (I use Jazaa brand), but otherwise it’s available most everywhere. Heavy whipping cream: Or Double Cream for those in the UK, serves as the foundation for this dessert. Sweetened condensed milk: To sweeten with a bit of complexity. Use a high-quality condensed milk like Eagle Brand. Freshly squeezed lemon juice: To enhance tartness and brighten up the pineapple flavor. The amount you need will vary depending on how tart your lemons are. I’ve also tried and loved this with Meyer Lemons. Crushed pineapple: There are so many different types of canned pineapple. In heavy syrup, in pineapple juice, unsweetened, and so on. The type you use will affect the amount of condensed milk you need. I’ve tried both crushed pineapple in heavy syrup and pineapple juice, with the latter being easier to find. Though either will be drained, I think the dessert tastes best, more complex with crushed pineapple in heavy syrup. In a pinch, you can also use canned pineapple chunks. Just drain, then pulse to chop in a food processor. Biscoff cookies or cookies of choice: Biscoff add a certain depth and caramel flavor that complements the pineapple cream, but any cookies will do.
How to make Crushed Pineapple Dessert
This recipe moves quickly, so it’s helpful to have the ingredients prepared before you start. I like to get the gelatin started while I gather the remaining ingredients. You also want to strain the pineapple so has time to drain while you prepare the cream.
Set the Gelatin
Whip Cream + Add Remaining Ingredients
Transfer to Serving Dish
How to Serve
Try to serve this as cold as possible. I recently took it to a large gathering and put ice underneath the bottom of the tray to keep it cool. I usually serve as-is, not pre-cut, so everyone can choose how much they want. You can also cut it into squares for better presentation. This would be an ideal dessert for serving in individual dessert cups.
Topping Ideas
I like to decorate with mint, which adds a sophisticated, invigorating flavor. Pineapple or lemon slices are ideal to give the dessert some context. The restaurant where I first tried it topped it with sprinkles, which look nonsensical but add an unexpected element of crunch. Toasted coconut flakes would top nicely, considering how well coconut pairs with both pineapple and cream.
Variations
Keep in mind that every single element of this dessert is adaptable. Some ideas:
Use pretzels instead of cookies for the base. Of course, increase or decrease the lemon, condensed milk, and even the pineapple. Add flavor enhancers like a pinch of sea salt, vanilla, or lemon zest.
Tried this recipe? If you have a minute, please consider leaving a comment telling me how it was! You can also take a quick picture and upload it directly into the comments. If you’re on Instagram, please tag me so I can see your creations. I truly love hearing from you. Thank you!
