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Filipino Halo-Halo Shaved Ice Recipe Easy Refreshing Brunch Dessert Bar

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A colorful and refreshing Filipino shaved ice dessert featuring layers of sweet beans, jellies, fruits, leche flan, and purple yam, perfect for brunch or a cooling treat on a hot day.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (960 ml) crushed or finely shaved ice
  • 1 cup sweetened red beans (canned or homemade)
  • 1 cup sweetened white kidney beans (lima beans) (optional)
  • 1/2 cup macapuno strings (sweetened coconut sport) (substitute with young coconut strips if unavailable)
  • 1/2 cup kaong (sugar palm fruit)
  • 1 cup leche flan, cubed (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1/2 cup ube halaya (purple yam jam) (can substitute with taro paste)
  • 1 cup saba bananas, sliced and cooked (or plantains as a substitute)
  • 1 cup evaporated milk (use condensed milk for extra sweetness or coconut milk for dairy-free)
  • 1 cup jellies or nata de coco, cubed (clear or colored)
  • Ice cream (optional) – ube or vanilla flavor

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients (15 minutes): Drain the canned sweetened beans and fruits thoroughly to avoid watery halo-halo. Slice the leche flan into small cubes and set aside. Peel and slice the saba bananas, then lightly cook them in a non-stick pan over medium heat for 5 minutes until tender but not mushy.
  2. Make the Shaved Ice (5 minutes): Using your shaved ice machine, shave about 4 cups (960 ml) of ice into a large bowl. If using a blender, pulse ice cubes in short bursts until fluffy but not watery. Place the shaved ice in your serving tray or individual cups.
  3. Arrange the Dessert Bar (10 minutes): Lay out the prepared ingredients in small bowls or ramekins: sweetened red beans, white kidney beans, macapuno strings, kaong, jellies, sliced saba, leche flan cubes, and ube halaya. This way, everyone can build their own halo-halo bowl, layering flavors and textures as they like.
  4. Assemble Your Halo-Halo (per serving): Start with a generous scoop of shaved ice, add a spoonful of each sweetened ingredient, then drizzle evaporated milk over the top. Finish with a dollop of ube halaya and a piece of leche flan. For extra indulgence, add a scoop of ice cream.
  5. Troubleshooting Tips: If your shaved ice starts melting too fast, keep the ice covered and chilled until serving. Avoid adding too much milk at once to prevent sogginess. If the flavors seem muted, a light drizzle of condensed milk can bring everything to life.

Notes

Use a shaved ice machine for the best fluffy texture. If unavailable, pulse ice cubes in a blender carefully to avoid melting. Drain canned beans and fruits well to prevent watery halo-halo. Prepare ingredients ahead and shave ice last minute for best texture. For dairy-free, substitute evaporated milk with coconut milk and skip ice cream or use plant-based alternatives. Leftovers should be stored separately and assembled fresh to maintain texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: halo-halo, Filipino dessert, shaved ice, ube halaya, leche flan, sweet beans, tropical dessert, refreshing dessert, brunch dessert

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/filipino-halo-halo-shaved-ice-recipe-easy-refreshing-brunch-dessert-bar/