Halo Halo Recipe
A colorful Filipino shaved ice dessert layered with fresh fruit, colorful gelatin, creamy sweetened condensed milk, chewy boba, crunchy toppings, and ube ice cream. Every spoonful is packed with fun textures and tropical flavor.
Servings: 2 servings
Equipment
- 2 small heatproof bowls
- whisk or spoon
- food processor or ice shaver (if needed)
- coconut shells serving bowls, or glasses
Ingredients
- ½ cup boiling water
- ½ cup ice water
- ½ package raspberry flavored gelatin (1½ ounces)
- ½ package lime flavored gelatin (1½ ounces)
- 1 fresh coconut (optional) cut in half for bowls (or use glasses)
- 1 cup strawberries stems removed and sliced
- 2 medium mangoes
- 4 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup shaved ice or finely chopped ice
- 3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- 1 ripe banana
- ¼ cup cooked boba or large pearl tapioca
- 4 small scoops ube ice cream or favorite sherbet or sorbet
- ¼ cup shredded coconut flakes
- 3 tablespoons corn flakes
- Rolled coconut wafer cookies for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Bring ½ cup water to a boil. Prepare ½ cup ice water.½ cup boiling water, ½ cup ice water
- Divide the raspberry flavored gelatin and lime flavored gelatin into separate heatproof bowls. Pour half of the boiling water into each bowl and stir for about 3 minutes, until dissolved.½ package raspberry flavored gelatin, ½ package lime flavored gelatin
- Divide the ice water between the two bowls and stir well.
- Place the gelatin in the freezer until set, about 30 minutes. Cut into small cubes.
- If using a fresh coconut, carefully split it in half along its natural seam using the dull back edge of a heavy knife. Reserve the coconut water for another use if desired.1 fresh coconut
- Slice the strawberries, dice the mangoes, and set aside.1 cup strawberries, 2 medium mangoes
- Stir together the cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth.4 ounces cream cheese, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- Process ice until finely shaved if needed.1 cup shaved ice
- Divide the shaved ice between the serving bowls or coconut shells.
- Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over the shaved ice.3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- Add dollops of the cream cheese mixture around the edges.
- Arrange the strawberries, mangoes, gelatin cubes, banana slices, and boba around the bowl, keeping the gelatin colors separated if desired.1 ripe banana, ¼ cup cooked boba
- Top each serving with two scoops of ube ice cream.4 small scoops ube ice cream
- Sprinkle with shredded coconut flakes and corn flakes.¼ cup shredded coconut flakes, 3 tablespoons corn flakes
- Garnish with rolled coconut wafer cookies, if desired.Rolled coconut wafer cookies
- Serve immediately and mix everything together before eating.
Notes
🥡 Storage: Halo Halo is best enjoyed immediately after assembling.
Store any unused fruit, gelatin, cream cheese mixture, and toppings separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Assemble individual servings just before serving.
♨️ Reheating: No reheating is needed for this chilled dessert.
❄️ Freezing: Do not freeze assembled Halo Halo.
The prepared gelatin may be frozen, although its texture may become softer after thawing.
Fruit is best used fresh for the best texture.
💡 Tips for Best Results: Use very finely shaved ice for the lightest texture.
Chill all ingredients before assembling.
Cut the fruit into similar bite-sized pieces for easy eating.
Assemble immediately before serving to prevent melting.
Let guests mix everything together before taking the first bite.
Use clear glasses if you want to show off the colorful layers.
🍳 Alternate Cooking Methods: No alternate cooking methods are recommended for this recipe.
♻️ Leftovers: If the dessert has already been assembled, enjoy it immediately.
Leftover fruit, gelatin, and toppings can be repurposed into yogurt parfaits, smoothie bowls, or fruit salads.
📝 Notes: Every Halo Halo is a little different. Feel free to customize it with your favorite fruits and toppings.
Fresh coconut bowls create a beautiful presentation but are completely optional.
Ube ice cream gives the dessert its signature look, but your favorite sherbet or sorbet also works well.
The best Halo Halo has a balance of creamy, crunchy, chewy, fruity, and icy textures.
Nutrition
Calories: 961kcal | Carbohydrates: 159g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 627mg | Potassium: 1018mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 108g | Vitamin A: 3530IU | Vitamin C: 129mg | Calcium: 194mg | Iron: 8mg
