Halo-Halo (Mixed Ice Dessert)
Experience the vibrant flavors and playful textures of Halo-Halo, a beloved Filipino shaved ice dessert. This colorful treat features layers of sweet beans, chewy jellies, tropical fruits, and creamy leche flan, all crowned with a scoop of ube ice cream and a drizzle of evaporated milk. It's a refreshing and delightful symphony of sweet, creamy, and icy sensations, perfect for any warm day.
An original recipe by Forkin
- Total time
- 25 min
- Serves
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
Allergen information: may contain milk. Always check ingredient packaging if you have an allergy.
Mise en place
Ingredients
- 4 cupice (frozen water)
- 0.5 cupsweet red bean, cooked, sweetened
- 0.5 cupsweet white bean, cooked, sweetened
- 0.5 cupnata de coco, drained
- 0.5 cupmacapuno string, drained
- 0.5 cupjackfruit, sliced, in syrup
- 0.5 cupsweet plantain, cooked, sliced
- 0.5 cupagar-agar jelly cubes (gulaman), cubed
- 4 pcsleche flan, sliced
- 200 gube ice cream
- 0.5 cupevaporated milk
- 4 tbsptoasted pinipig(optional)
Equipment
4× Tall glasses · 4× Long spoons · Shaved ice machine (optional) · 8× Small bowls · Ice cream scoop
The method
Step by step
- 1
Gather and prepare all individual Halo-Halo components, ensuring sweet beans, nata de coco, macapuno strings, jackfruit, sweet plantains, and gulaman are drained and ready for assembly.
About 15 min
Cook’s note: Pre-portioning each ingredient into small bowls before starting makes the assembly process much smoother and quicker, especially if serving multiple people.
- 2
Arrange four tall glasses or dessert bowls on a clean work surface.
About 1 min
- 3
Spoon a small, even layer of sweet red beans into the bottom of each glass.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Aim for about 1-2 tablespoons per glass to ensure a good distribution of flavors throughout the dessert.
- 4
Add a small, even layer of sweet white beans on top of the red beans in each glass.
About 1 min
- 5
Layer nata de coco, macapuno strings, sliced jackfruit, sweet plantains, and gulaman into each glass, distributing them evenly among the four servings.
About 5 min
Cook’s note: Vary the order of these layers slightly in each glass for a visually appealing presentation and a surprise with every spoonful.
- 6
Carefully fill each glass with a generous amount of finely shaved ice, mounding it slightly above the rim.
About 2 min
Cook’s note: For the best texture, use finely shaved ice rather than crushed ice, as it absorbs the milk and flavors more effectively.
- 7
Place one piece of leche flan gently on top of the shaved ice in each glass.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Position the leche flan slightly off-center to make room for the ice cream and other toppings.
- 8
Scoop one generous portion of ube ice cream onto the shaved ice in each glass, nestling it beside or on top of the leche flan.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Ensure the ube ice cream is firm but scoopable for the best presentation and texture.
- 9
Drizzle approximately 2 tablespoons of evaporated milk over the ube ice cream and shaved ice in each glass.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Adjust the amount of evaporated milk to your personal preference for creaminess and sweetness; some prefer more, some less.
- 10
Optionally, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of toasted pinipig over the top of each Halo-Halo for an added crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: If you don't have pinipig, a light sprinkle of toasted rice flakes or even crushed cornflakes can provide a similar crunch.
- 11
Serve the Halo-Halo immediately with a long spoon, encouraging guests to mix all the components together before enjoying.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: The true joy of Halo-Halo comes from mixing all the diverse ingredients, allowing the flavors and textures to meld into a unique experience.
Keep it good
Halo-Halo is a fantastic dessert for gatherings, as guests can customize their own bowls with preferred toppings. For an extra touch, consider offering additional toppings like sweetened condensed milk, fruit preserves, or even a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes. Pair this refreshing treat with savory Filipino dishes like adobo or sinigang for a complete culinary experience.
Halo-Halo is best enjoyed immediately after preparation as the shaved ice will melt quickly. It cannot be stored for later consumption.
This dessert is served cold and cannot be reheated.