Es Cendol (Pandan Jelly with Coconut Milk and Palm Sugar)
In short: Green pandan rice flour jelly strands in palm sugar syrup, salted coconut milk and shaved ice, a favorite cooling dessert in Indonesia. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 250 kcal
Es cendol is the iced dessert that Indonesians reach for on hot afternoons and at Ramadan iftar. Short, squiggly jelly strands made from rice flour and pandan juice are served in a glass of shaved ice with creamy coconut milk and dark palm sugar syrup. The jelly is soft and slightly chewy, and the syrup tastes of caramel. Making the jelly takes a little patience, but the rest comes together quickly.
Instructions
- Blend the pandan leaves with the water until fine. Strain through a fine sieve, pressing hard, to get about 250 ml (1 cup) of green juice.
- Whisk the rice flour, tapioca starch and salt into the pandan juice in a saucepan until smooth.
- Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, for 5 to 8 minutes, until the batter thickens, turns glossy and almost translucent.
- While the batter is hot, press it through a colander with large holes (or a potato ricer) so short strands drop into the bowl of ice water. Let them set for 5 minutes, then drain.
- Simmer the palm sugar, water and pandan leaf for 5 minutes until syrupy. Strain and cool.
- Stir the salt into the coconut milk. Divide the jelly among 4 glasses, add ice, pour over the coconut milk and drizzle with syrup. Stir and eat at once.
Tips
- Press the batter while it is still hot. Once cold it sets firm and will not pass through the holes. Work quickly and use an oiled spatula to push it through.
- Add sweet red beans, jackfruit, avocado or sweet corn for a fuller dessert. A drop of vanilla or pandan paste gives a stronger green if the leaves are pale.
Questions and answers
Can I make cendol jelly ahead?
Yes. Store the strands in water in the fridge for up to 2 days. They harden slightly when cold, so let them come to room temperature before serving.
What is a good substitute for palm sugar?
Dark brown sugar mixed with a teaspoon of molasses gives a similar caramel taste. Muscovado sugar also works.
Can I use frozen pandan?
Yes. Thaw the leaves first. Pandan extract works too, but the flavor is milder than fresh leaves, so add a drop or two of green coloring if you like.
How long does it take to make Es Cendol (Pandan Jelly with Coconut Milk and Palm Sugar)?
About 45 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Es Cendol (Pandan Jelly with Coconut Milk and Palm Sugar)?
About 250 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 40 g of carbohydrates and 10 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 250 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 40 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 24 g |
| Sodium | 190 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
