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Tembleque

A traditional Puerto Rican dessert — Tembleque is a silky, quivering coconut pudding made from just coconut milk, cornstarch and sugar, its name meaning ‘it trembles’ for the way it jiggles on the plate.

⏱ 10 minPrep time
🔥 20 minCook time
🍽 6Servings
🏷 DessertCategory
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Tembleque - Portoricain recipe

A traditional Puerto Rican dessert — Tembleque is a silky, quivering coconut pudding made from just coconut milk, cornstarch and sugar, its name meaning ‘it trembles’ for the way it jiggles on the plate. A snowfall of cinnamon crowns the cool, creamy custard. Simple enough for everyday, it is a pure expression of the island’s love affair with coconut.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. In a small bowl, whisk 1/2 cup of the coconut milk with the cornstarch until smooth, with no lumps.
  2. In a saucepan, combine the remaining coconut milk, sugar and salt over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
  3. Whisk the cornstarch mixture into the warm coconut milk and cook, stirring constantly, until the pudding thickens and just begins to bubble, 8 to 10 minutes.
  4. Remove from the heat, stir in the vanilla, and pour into a serving bowl or individual cups.
  5. Chill at least 4 hours until fully set. Dust generously with ground cinnamon before serving.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Stir without stopping once the cornstarch goes in; tembleque scorches easily. For a firmer set, add an extra tablespoon of cornstarch.

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Recipe details

Prep10 min
Cook20 min
Servings6
CategoryDessert
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →