How to Make the Perfect Es Teler
Indonesian · Easy · 15 min · 4 servings
Es teler is a luxurious and refreshing Indonesian cold dessert featuring ripe avocado, young coconut, jackfruit, and grass jelly bathed in a sweet coconut milk and condensed milk mixture over shaved ice. It is a popular Indonesian dessert that provides an indulgent tropical escape in a single glass.
Why this recipe works
This Es Teler recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 15 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 290 calories with 3g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1 whole ripe avocado, cubed
- 150 grams young coconut flesh, shredded
- 150 grams canned jackfruit in syrup, drained and sliced
- 200 milliliters coconut milk, full fat
- 3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- 4 cups shaved ice or crushed ice
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Sweet Coconut Milk
In a small bowl or jug, whisk together the coconut milk and sweetened condensed milk until fully combined and smooth. Taste and adjust sweetness by adding more condensed milk if desired. Refrigerate the mixture until ready to use so it stays chilled.
Step 2: Prepare the Fruit Components
Cut the ripe avocado into small cubes, removing the skin and pit. Shred the young coconut flesh into thin strips if it is not already prepared. Drain the canned jackfruit well and slice into small bite-sized pieces. Keep all fruit components refrigerated until assembly.
Step 3: Assemble the Dessert
Fill four large glasses or bowls with generous portions of shaved or crushed ice. Divide the cubed avocado, shredded young coconut, and sliced jackfruit evenly among the glasses, placing the fruit artfully on and around the ice.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Pour the chilled sweet coconut milk mixture generously over each glass of fruit and ice. Optionally add a few cubes of grass jelly or a drizzle of rose syrup for extra color and flavor. Serve immediately with a long spoon before the ice melts and the dessert becomes diluted.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- sweetened condensed milk → coconut cream sweetened with maple syrup for a dairy-free version
- canned jackfruit → ripe mango cubes which provide a similarly sweet and tropical flavor
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Using an unripe avocado which is bitter and hard instead of the creamy and rich texture that is essential to the dessert
- Assembling the dessert too far in advance which causes the ice to melt completely and dilutes the coconut milk sauce
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 290 calories, 3g protein, 48g carbs, 11g fat, 5g fiber.
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