Blanc-Manger Coco
Martinican

Blanc-Manger Coco

The French-Antillean coconut blancmange — coconut milk sweetened and set with gelatin (or agar), scented with lime zest and a little rum or cinnamon, chilled into a cool, wobbling, intensely coconut dessert.

Easy40 min

Where it comes from

Blanc-manger coco is the Antillean take on the French blancmange, set firm with coconut milk and a little lime zest. A cool, wobbling white pudding, it is the classic French-Caribbean dessert of Sunday lunches.

On the plate

Spoon into blanc-manger coco and it wobbles, cool and silky, melting on the tongue into pure, sweet coconut perfumed with lime and a whisper of rum. Bite: rich and creamy yet light, intensely coconut, the lime zest brightening it and the gentle set giving a clean, melting texture. A simple, elegant French-Caribbean dessert, served cold with grated coconut.

How it works

Gelatin sets the sweetened coconut milk into a firm-yet-wobbling custard without eggs; heating (not boiling) dissolves it evenly, and chilling firms it. Lime zest and rum cut the richness of the coconut — a coconut take on the classic French blancmange.

Variations

With agar (vegetarian). Layered with passion-fruit coulis. With more rum. With condensed milk. In a large mold. With a caramel base.

On the Palate

HeatRichnessComplexityFermentFreshness

Ingredients

Serves 6

How it's made

8 steps · Show
20 min active · 20 min waiting
  1. 1
    6 min

    Soak 4 gelatin leaves in cold water (or measure agar).

  2. 2
    8 min

    Heat 600 ml coconut milk with 400 ml whole milk, 120 g sugar, and a strip of lime zest.

  3. 3
    1 min

    Add a pinch of cinnamon and a splash of rum (optional).

  4. 4
    3 min

    When hot (not boiling), stir in the softened gelatin until dissolved.

  5. 5
    1 min

    Strain out the lime zest.

  6. 6
    2 min

    Pour into a mold or individual glasses.

  7. 7
    18 min

    Chill at least 4 hours until set and wobbling.

  8. 8
    1 min

    Unmold and serve cold, garnished with grated coconut.

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