Home » Blog » Easy Haupia Recipe aka Hawaiian Coconut Pudding
by Relle
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
Haupia, also known as Hawaiian coconut pudding, is a sweet, cool, refreshing treat. This easy recipe only uses 4 ingredients and is perfect for the home cook to share with family and friends.
Growing up in Hawai’i meant many, many family get togethers. Whether it be for a baby lūʻau, graduation party, wedding, birthday party, or just because it’s the weekend we always found a reason to spend time with family and friends. And if there was a party that meant ‘ono food!
Hawaiian foods are a popular cuisine at parties and one of the most iconic Hawaiian desserts is haupia. Hau meaning cool and pia is the Hawaiian word for arrowroot.
Traditionally this dessert was made of arrowroot and coconut cream. Today’s recipe has been adapted and uses coconut milk, sugar, cornstarch, and water.
If you are at a party or Hawaiian restaurant, you can bet they will be serving haupia. Haupia goes well with laulau, luau stew, kalua pig, chicken long rice, pohole salad, and lomi salmon.
Many people call haupia Hawaiian coconut pudding, however its consistency is more like that of gelatin desserts.
What are the ingredients in haupia?
- There are only 4:
- 1 can (13 oz) coconut milk
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 5 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 cup water
How is haupia eaten?
Haupia can be eaten plain straight out of the pan. It is also used as a topping on dessert bars or cakes. McDonald’s has also popularized haupia pie.
Does haupia need to be refrigerated?
Yes. This dessert is best kept chilled.
Common mistakes
Haupia not setting right. Is your haupia too soft and more like a pudding consistency? Unfortunately, that often means it was not cooked down long enough to create that firm texture.
You could totally use this as a topping to other desserts, like cakes or bars, or eat in a bowl like pudding. If you are looking for firm set haupia it may be best to start back from scratch.
How to make haupia?
Lightly grease an 8×8 pan with non stick cooking spray and set aside.
In a medium mixing bowl add water, cornstarch, and sugar. Whisk until well combined. Set aside.
Add coconut milk to a medium sized pan over medium high heat and heat until the liquid just starts to bubble. Stirring frequently so the milk does not burn.
Then add the cornstarch mixture to the pan and continue to stir. Heat until the mixture starts to thicken and resembles pudding. Remove from heat.
Pour the haupia into the prepared 8×8 pan and allow to cool. Then place pan in the refrigerator until set, about 2 hours or you can leave it overnight.
Cut into squares and ENJOY!
Easy Haupia Recipe
Relle Lum
Haupia, also known as Hawaiian coconut pudding, is a sweet, cool, refreshing treat. This easy recipe only uses 4 ingredients and is perfect for the home cook to share with family and friends.
4.74 from 138 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Additional Time 2 hours hrs
Total Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
Course Desserts
Cuisine Hawaiian
Servings 16 squares
Calories 29 kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- 5 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 can 13 oz coconut milk
Instructions
Lightly grease an 8×8 pan with non stick cooking spray and set aside.
In a medium mixing bowl add water, cornstarch, and sugar. Whisk until well combined. Set aside.
Add coconut milk to a medium sized pan over medium high heat and heat until the liquid just starts to bubble. Stirring frequently so the milk does not burn.
Then add the cornstarch mixture to the pan and continue to stir. Heat until the mixture starts to thicken and resembles pudding. Remove from heat.
Pour the haupia into the prepared 8×8 pan and allow to cool. Then place pan in the refrigerator until set, about 2 hours or you can leave it overnight.
Cut into squares and ENJOY!
Notes
* You can add more sugar if you like a sweeter taste.
*Using less water will create a more firm consistency or if you like it more of a pudding consistency use a little more water (about 1 cup total water).
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 29kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 9mgSugar: 3g
Keyword coconut desserts, coconut pudding, easy haupia, haupia, Hawaii food, hawaiian coconut pudding, hawaiian desserts, Hawaiian food, keeping it relle
Did you make this recipe?Share a photo and tag @keeping.it.relle on Instagram so I can see all your delicious creations and Let me know how it was!
© Relle Lum for Keeping It Relle. Please do not copy and paste or screenshot recipes online or on social media. I’d love it if you share a link with a photo instead. Mahalo!
Tried this recipe? Tag me on social. I’d love to see and share it.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keeping.it.relle
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepingitrelle
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/keepingitrelle
Tried and love this recipe? Please give it a rating.
Pin for later.
***As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases***
By Relle on March 9th, 2020
About Relle
Aloha, my name is Relle and welcome to my little home on the internet where I like to share all my favorite Hawaiian recipes (and local ones too).
I am a wife, mom of two, and nurse practitioner here in the beautiful state of Hawai’i. I was born and raised in Hawai’i and I am of native Hawaiian descent. In my spare time I love to cook and bake and I have compiled many of my favorite recipes here for you to enjoy.
More posts by this author.
38 thoughts on “Easy Haupia Recipe aka Hawaiian Coconut Pudding”
Thanks for your video! It is a simple and tasty recipe. My family enjoyed and I look forward to making some of your other recipes as well.
Reply
Awesome. Thanks for much for sharing! Have a great day.
Reply
You’re welcome. Thanks for stopping by.
Reply
You’re welcome. Thanks for stopping by.
Reply
This recipe is Delicious (ono)! My husband grew up in HI & we have returned several times. We always like to get homemade haupia from somewhere that makes it from scratch. (You can tell when it’s made from a box & it’s nowhere near as good!) If you are not familiar with haupia or are accustomed to sweeter desserts this might not be what you are expecting. But if you are used to scratch made haupia this is an authentic & amazing recipe! The first time I made it I didn’t cook it down enough so it didn’t set. The second time I watched the video & corrected my mistake. Thank you! If I want to make a more
Pudding like consistency for a pie how would I do that? Thank you Relle!Reply
I’ve spent too much money at Helena’s buying coconut pudding. Thanks for this! Aloha
Reply
You’re welcome. Hope you enjoy!
Reply
could you serve this with a mango topping
Reply
The way this recipe makes it, it’s more of a jello consistency. If you cook it down a little less it could be more of a sauce consistency that could work as a topping.
Reply
Thanks for the simple recipe! It set perfectly!
Reply
Awesome. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day.
Reply
Delicious recipe!! Easy to make, tastes amazing. Thank you!!
Reply
Aloha Nicole. Yay, so great to hear. Mahalo for sharing.
Reply
Can I trade out the cornstarch for tapioca flour or arrowroot for someone w/allergy to corn?
Reply
Aloha Carole. Arrowroot will work as well. Mahalo!
Reply
Great recipe and easy to follow instructions. Can’t wait to enjoy it with dinner tonight. Thank you!Reply
Aloha Kelli. So awesome to hear. Mahalo for sharing.
Reply
You totally hooked me at “four ingredients” but I love this recipe because it just comes out so creamy!Reply
Oh yes. Super easy and oh so yummy. Happy Holidays.
Reply
This is new to me and your recipe is super simple. Love the flavor of coconut in desserts and this was very tasty.Reply
Aloha Jere. It’s a classic traditional Hawaiian recipe. Hope you get a chance to try it. Happy Holidays!
Reply
What a beautiful recipe! I love eating this In Hawaii and enjoyed making and eating it at home. Thank you!Reply
Yes. It’s definitely a great Hawaiian recipe. Thank you.
Reply
Amazing! Such a flavorful and fantastic recipe.Reply
Yay. Happy to hear. Happy Holidays.
Reply
This is so simple to make. My family loved it and I cant wait to make some more.
Reply
Aw so happy to hear. Thank you for sharing.
Reply
Mahalo Relle for generously sharing your wonderful recipes. My family and friends know that you’re my “go to” when I want to bake or cook anything local (wether it’s a Hawaiian dish, Filipino dish, Portuguese dish, and on and on, lol!).
For New Year’s I made your fabulous Pumpkin Mochi. And I just got done making Haupia. Even though it’s chilling in the fridge, I know it’s ono because my husband and I already had a small sample. Hahaha!
Mahalo nui loa again! We are all so blessed to have you! Mahalo piha! Hauoli Makahiki hou!Reply
Aloha Malie. Aw thank you. So happy to hear. Mahalo!
Reply
Mahalo for sharing! I’ve always had trouble getting my Haupia to solidify, but your recipe worked perfectly! We had a big luau for King Kamehameha Day, and this was a hit!
Reply
Aw yay. Great to hear. Mahalo for sharing.
Reply
So delicious! Quick question- how long will it last in the refrigerator?
Reply
Aloha. It will last a few days to a week stored in an air tight container in the refrigerator.
Reply
Hello,
Thinking about making this for scouts at summer camp as a treat on family day. How much do you think it’ll hold up in heat? More specifically…. It has a 2.5/3 hr travel time to get there on top of a 2 hr wait time for dinner? I’m thinking pack a cooler and put it on ice for the travel part and to hold it over. But just in case…. Does it hold up well in heat for a bit? Or does it “meltdown”? Thanks.
Reply
Haupia should remain chilled until serving. Once taken out of the refrigerator it should be consumed. If serving, you can lay the pan in another pan filled with ice to keep chilled until ready to eat. Hope they enjoy!
Reply
Ono recipe!Reply
Mahalo!
Reply
