Tapioca milk dessert is highly praised and enjoyed chilled during hot weather. There can be different reasons for its popularity such as the unique texture of chewy tapioca pearls is a delicious combination with creamy, sweetened milk.
However, you must know the right way to make the dessert to enjoy the real delicacy of the dish. You must cook the tapioca pearls evenly, avoid overcooking them, and avoid making them too mushy. How will you ensure all of these?
No worries, we are going to share the easiest tapioca milk dessert recipe that describes every step in detail. Are you ready to surprise your tastebuds?
What Is Tapioca Milk Dessert?
Tapioca milk dessert is a creamy and sweet treat made with small pearl tapioca, sweetened milk, and some added flavours.
The dessert has a rich, smooth texture with chewy tapioca pearls that make it a popular choice in many Asian countries, particularly in India and Southeast Asia. Most people enjoy this dessert chilled as it’s perfect for hot climates. This dessert is easy to prepare and it doesn’t take much time.
How to Make Tapioca Milk Dessert
To make the tapioca milk dessert, boil ½ cup of small pearl tapioca in a large pan with water.
Cook until the tapioca turns transparent, then drain and divide it into two portions. Mix ¼ cup of rose syrup with one portion and set aside. Next, prepare the milk mixture by heating 2 cups of milk, ⅓ cup of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of custard powder until thickened.
Let it cool completely and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. To assemble, layer the tapioca in glasses with ice cubes, pour the milk mixture, top with vanilla ice cream, and garnish with nuts.
Irresistible Tapioca Milk Dessert Recipe
Servings: 4, Making Time: 20-25 minutes, Course: Dessert, Cuisine: Southeast Asian
Ingredients
- Small Pearl Tapioca: ½ cup
- Rose Syrup: ¼ cup
- Milk: 2 cups
- Sugar: ⅓ cup
- Custard Powder: 1 tablespoon
- Ice Cubes: As needed
- Vanilla Ice Cream: 5 tablespoons
- Nuts: For garnish
Directions
- First, we need to boil tapioca. So, let’s add enough water to a large pan and let it boil. I am using small pearl tapioca instead of the instant minute tapioca. You can directly add the tapioca to the water without rinsing it beforehand.
- When the water starts to boil, add ½ cup of tapioca to the boiling water. Simmer the tapioca until it’s transparent.
- After 8-10 minutes, you will notice the tapioca become transparent and well-cooked. You need to put the cooked tapioca in a fine mesh sieve and drain the excess water from the tapioca. Then, transfer the tapioca into a bowl.
- This time, you need to divide the cooked tapioca in two portions. Add ¼ cup of rose syrup in one portion of tapioca just like the picture below. Mix the syrup with the tapioca properly and keep both of the bowls aside.
- Now, we need to prepare the milk mixture for the dessert. Add 2 cups of milk in a large pan, add ⅓ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon of custard powder, and mix all together with a spatula. You’ll continue cooking it until the milk thickens, okay?
- Once you get the thickened consistency, turn the flame off. Now, let the milk cool completely before you keep it in the refrigerator. The milk should be in the refrigerator for at least one or two hours.
- And it’s time to decorate the dessert. We are going to decorate it in two different ways (the second one is my favourite).
- For the first process, take two glasses and fill one-third potion of the glasses with red tapioca in the first place. Then, add ice cubes over the red tapioca. Place 2 tablespoons of white tapioca over the ice cubes in both glasses.
- On top of these, add the thickened milk mixture. Now, to add a creamy and rich flavour to the dessert, add two and a half tablespoons of vanilla ice cream to the glasses of dessert. Finally, garnish the dessert with nuts.
- And, here’s the second way of decoration. Place white tapioca in two glasses. Now, place ice cubes over the tapioca and pour the thickened milk into the glasses. Add red tapioca over the top and again, add some white tapioca to it.
- Add vanilla ice cream on top of every glass and end the decoration with garnishes like nuts.
And you are done with the delicious tapioca milk dessert recipe!
What Side Dishes Should You Have with the Tapioca Milk Dessert?
I usually enjoy the tapioca milk dessert as a single meal as it’s alone perfect for afternoon snacks. However, you can serve complementary side dishes to balance the sweet and creamy flavour of the dessert.
You can add fresh fruit such as strawberries, sliced mango, or tropical fruits as a side dish. A small serving of coconut cookies or almond biscotti will give you a crunchy texture that contrasts nicely with the tapioca’s chewiness.
Chef’s Tips
- Stir the tapioca frequently while simmering to ensure it is even cooking.
- Tapioca pearls should be fully transparent when done. If you notice any white centres to remain, cook for a few more minutes.
- Let the milk mixture cool completely and refrigerate it for at least 1-2 hours. The chilling part is important as it enhances the dessert’s creamy texture and flavour.
- Adjust the sugar in the milk mixture to your taste preference. You can add more or less depending on how sweet you like it.