Shwe Yin Aye (Burmese Cold Coconut Milk Dessert)
Local name: ရွှေရင်အေး
In short: Chilled sweet coconut milk poured over sago pearls, agar jelly cubes and crisp toasted bread, served over crushed ice. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 390 kcal
Shwe yin aye means cool golden heart, and it is Myanmar's favorite way to cool down. Sweet coconut milk is poured over chewy sago pearls, wobbly jelly cubes and crushed ice, then topped with bread cubes toasted until crisp. They soften slowly in the sweet milk and add an unexpected texture. The dessert is popular during the hot season and at the Thingyan water festival in April.
Instructions
- Whisk the agar powder into the 500 ml cold water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 2 minutes, stirring. Add the sugar and rose syrup and pour into a shallow dish. Leave for 30 to 40 minutes until set, then chill and cut into 1 cm cubes.
- Bring the 750 ml water to a boil, add the sago and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring, until the pearls are clear with a tiny white dot. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Heat the coconut milk, the 250 ml water, palm sugar, salt and pandan leaf over low heat for 5 minutes until the sugar dissolves. Do not boil hard. Cool, then chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Toast the bread cubes on a tray for 8 minutes until crisp and golden.
- Spoon the sago and jelly into 4 tall glasses and add crushed ice.
- Pour the chilled coconut milk over the top, scatter with the bread cubes and serve right away.
Tips
- Use agar-agar, not gelatin. Agar sets at room temperature and holds its shape in a warm climate, while gelatin melts.
- Add the toasted bread last so it stays crisp for the first few spoonfuls.
Questions and answers
Why is there bread in a dessert?
The toasted bread cubes soak up the sweet coconut milk and add a crisp-then-soft texture. They are a popular addition at Burmese dessert stalls.
Can I make shwe yin aye ahead of time?
Make the jelly, sago and coconut milk up to a day ahead and keep them chilled separately. Toast the bread and assemble each glass just before serving.
Can I use tapioca pearls instead of sago?
Yes. Small tapioca pearls cook in the same way and give a similar chew. Large pearls take 20 to 30 minutes.
How long does it take to make Shwe Yin Aye (Burmese Cold Coconut Milk Dessert)?
About 50 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Shwe Yin Aye (Burmese Cold Coconut Milk Dessert)?
About 390 kcal per serving, with 3 g of protein, 55 g of carbohydrates and 18 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 390 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 55 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 33 g |
| Sodium | 190 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
