Tropical Halo-Halo
Tropical Halo-Halo is a colorful and fun ice-cold dessert, perfect for parties. It combines layers of sweet beans, jellies, and fruits topped with ice, milk, and ice cream to create a delightful treat that everyone can customize.
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 350kcal
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 1 cup sweetened red beans (kidney or adzuki), chilled
- 1 cup sweetened white beans or garbanzos, chilled
- 1 cup nata de coco or coconut gel, drained
- 1 cup kaong or palm fruit, drained
- 1 cup grass jelly or gulaman cubes, chilled
- 1 cup sweetened jackfruit strips, chilled
- 1 cup ripe mango, diced
- 1 cup sweetened saba banana or plantain, sliced
- 1 cup sweetened macapuno or shredded young coconut
- 1 to 2 cups corn kernels (optional) Classic addition
Ice and Milk
- 4 to 5 cups finely shaved or crushed ice Smooth texture preferred
- 1 to 2 cups evaporated milk, very cold
- 1 can condensed milk, to taste
- 1 pint ube ice cream or other tropical flavor Alternative options include mango or coconut
- 1 jar purple yam jam or ube halaya, for topping
- 1 cup leche flan slices or cubes, for topping
- 1 pinch pinipig or crispy rice, for crunch
Instructions
Preparation
- Chill all ingredients before layering, including fruits, jellies, and milk.
- Start layering by placing a spoonful of sweetened red beans at the bottom of a clear glass or tall dessert bowl.
- Next, add a layer of white beans followed by grass jelly.
- Continue layering with jackfruit and macapuno to add fragrance. Optionally include corn for added crunch.
- Repeat the layering process with variety in mind until the bowl is filled.
Assembly
- Once the layers are built, pack the glass around two thirds full with finely shaved ice.
- Pour a few tablespoons of evaporated milk over the ice, and if desired, drizzle condensed milk for sweetness.
- Gently stir from the bottom up to allow the milk to touch the beans and jellies without fully mixing everything.
- Top the ice with a scoop of ube ice cream, a spoon of ube halaya, and a neat slice of leche flan.
- Sprinkle with pinipig for crunch. Let it sit for a minute before serving.
- Serve cold and enjoy!
Notes
For a simpler version, opt for supermarket finds. Make sure to keep the ice fine and cold for the best texture. Allow guests to build their own layers with labeled bowls and small spoons.