Tembleque

Name: Tembleque
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Ingredients: 2 cans coconut milk (full fat); 1 cup sugar; 1/2 cup cornstarch; 1/4 tsp salt; 1 tsp vanilla extract; Ground cinnamon for dusting

Tembleque (tehm-BLEH-keh)

Coconut Milk Pudding

⏱ Prep Time 30 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 228 kcal

A silky, jiggly coconut milk pudding set with cornstarch, dusted with cinnamon, and served chilled as a traditional Christmas dessert.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 2.0g

Carbs 28.0g

Fat 12.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian gluten-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ coconut

Equipment Needed

saucepan whisk mold or baking dish

Presentation Guide

Vessel: decorative mold plate

Garnishes: ground cinnamon, mint leaf

Accompaniments: coquito, coffee

Ingredients

2 cans coconut milk (full fat)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
Ground cinnamon for dusting

Instructions

1
Whisk coconut milk, sugar, cornstarch, salt, and vanilla together in a saucepan until cornstarch is fully dissolved with no lumps.
2
Place over medium heat and cook, whisking constantly, until mixture begins to thicken, about eight minutes.
3
Continue whisking as it thickens to a pudding consistency. It should coat the back of a spoon thickly.
4
Pour into a mold or individual ramekins. Smooth the top with a spatula.
5
Refrigerate at least four hours or overnight until completely set and firm.
6
Unmold onto a plate and dust generously with ground cinnamon before serving.

💡

Did You Know?

The name tembleque means "trembling" or "jiggly" in Spanish, referring to the way the pudding wobbles when moved.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

saucepan
whisk
mold or baking dish

Garnishing

ground cinnamon, mint leaf

Accompaniments

coquito, coffee

The Story Behind Tembleque

Tembleque is the dessert of Puerto Rican Christmas, appearing on every holiday table alongside coquito and pasteles. This simple coconut pudding reflects the island's tropical bounty and Spanish confection traditions. The dish requires only a handful of ingredients but demands patience and constant stirring to achieve the perfect texture. When properly made, tembleque should jiggle dramatically when the plate is moved, earning its evocative name.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed christmas season dessert 📜 Origins: Spanish-Caribbean colonial

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