Halo Halo Filipino Shaved Ice Dessert
Halo Halo is the magnificent Filipino shaved ice dessert whose name literally means mix mix, combining layers of sweetened beans, jellies, fruits, leche flan, and ube ice cream all piled over a mountain of finely shaved ice. It is a joyful explosion of colors, textures, and flavors that is best eaten on a sweltering summer afternoon.
A colorful Filipino shaved ice dessert layered with sweet toppings, leche flan, and ube ice cream.
Nutrition per serving
Ingredients
Base
Toppings
Instructions
Layer the Sweet Toppings
In a tall glass or wide bowl, begin building the halo halo by spooning the sweetened red beans into the bottom, followed by the jackfruit strips. Add the nata de coco and kaong palm fruit on top of the beans and jackfruit. Pour a light drizzle of evaporated milk or sweetened condensed milk over the toppings.
Add the Shaved Ice
Pack finely shaved ice tightly over the toppings, mounding it generously into a small mountain above the rim of the glass. The ice should be fine enough that it has a soft, almost slushy texture rather than crunchy chunks that would be too harsh to eat comfortably.
Crown with Ice Cream and Flan
Place one generous scoop of ube ice cream directly on top of the shaved ice. Lay a slice of leche flan on the ice beside the ice cream. Optionally dust the top with a spoonful of pinipig (toasted rice puffs) or crushed corn flakes for a delightful crunch.
Serve and Mix
Serve the halo halo immediately before the ice melts, along with a long spoon so the person eating can dig down through all the layers and mix everything together. The beauty of halo halo is in the chaotic and delicious combination of all the different flavors and textures in every spoonful.
Substitutions
Common mistakes
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