Hau Pia: Hawaiian Dessert

Name: Hau Pia: Hawaiian Dessert
Yield: 1 serving
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 can Coconut milk; 400 ml Water; 1/2 cup Cornstarch; 1/2 cup Sugar

cookpad.japan @cookpad_jp

This is the extremely popular hau pia dessert that my Aunty showed me how to make when I lived in Hawaii. Aunty used 1l coconut milk but I've adjusted it a more manageable amount for this recipe.

It's very important to mix after adding the cornstarch mixture. If you cut corners and pour it into the tin too soon, it won't set properly and you'll end up with a powdery mixture. Heat the mixture well (on a low heat, so as not to burn) to separate the coconut milk from any oil content. Heat until you have a lovely glossy finish!! There are lots of ways to make this dessert, but by adding the cornstarch mixture in this way ensures a smooth finish without any lumps. Recipe by ALOHA

This is the extremely popular hau pia dessert that my Aunty showed me how to make when I lived in Hawaii. Aunty used 1l coconut milk but I've adjusted it a more manageable amount for this recipe.

cookpad.japan @cookpad_jp

This is the extremely popular hau pia dessert that my Aunty showed me how to make when I lived in Hawaii. Aunty used 1l coconut milk but I've adjusted it a more manageable amount for this recipe.

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Ingredients

1 serving

1 canCoconut milk
400 mlWater
1/2 cupCornstarch
1/2 cupSugar

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Steps

1

Combine the coconut milk and water in a bowl and mix. Add 1/3 of this mixture to a separate bowl and mix in the cornstarch.
2

Put the remaining 2/3 of the coconut mixture in a saucepan along with the sugar and bring to a boil. Reduce to low heat and add the cornstarch and coconut milk mixture from Step 1.
3

Heat the batter whilst constantly stirring with a wooden spatula. Incorporate the batter that sticks to the sides of the pan. Keep stirring for 10-15 minutes, until the mixture thickens and you can see the bottom of the pan when stirring with a wooden spatula. Once the mixture is a shiny, nice, white colour, it's ready.
4

Whilst the batter is still hot, pour it into a tin and even out the surface. Let it set at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Hau pia is usually 1.5-2 cm thick. Once set, cut into squares and serve.
5

Bonus: You could make a hau pia cream for bread or donuts by reducing the amount of cornstarch. It also makes a great cake filling!!
6

In Hawaiian "hau" means cold and "pia" is the name of a plant from which the starch used to be derived to make this dessert.
7

The pia plant is native to Polynesia, but the word "pia" can refer to katakuriko, cornstarch, or tapioca.