Mango Agar-Agar Jelly Cubes (Printable)

Vegan mango agar-agar jelly cubes layered with creamy coconut milk; light, chilled and tropical.

# Ingredient List:

→ Mango layer

01 - Ripe mango flesh from 2 large mangoes — about 2 1/2 cups (approximately 14 oz), peeled and cubed
02 - 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon water
03 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
04 - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
05 - 1 1/2 teaspoons agar-agar powder

→ Coconut layer

06 - 1 2/3 cups full-fat coconut milk
07 - 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
09 - 1 teaspoon agar-agar powder

# Directions:

01 - Place mango flesh, water, sugar and lemon juice in a blender and process until completely smooth.
02 - Transfer the purée to a saucepan, whisk in the agar-agar powder, bring to a rolling boil over medium heat while stirring, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes to fully dissolve the agar.
03 - Pour the hot mango mixture into an 8x8-inch square mold, allow to cool at room temperature for about 10 minutes, then refrigerate until just set but still slightly soft, about 45 minutes.
04 - Combine coconut milk, sugar, vanilla and agar-agar powder in a saucepan, whisk to combine, bring to a gentle boil over medium heat and simmer for 2 minutes while stirring to dissolve the agar-agar.
05 - Gently pour the warm coconut mixture over the partially set mango layer, let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until fully firm, at least 1 1/2 hours.
06 - Run a sharp knife around the edges, invert the mold onto a cutting board, cut the set block into even cubes and serve chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • This dessert creates a showstopper effect with barely any effort—it sets in neat layers all by itself.
  • It&aposs naturally vegan, super refreshing, and impossible to resist on a muggy day.
02 -
  • If you try to add the coconut milk before the mango layer is set enough, you&aposll end up with a swirled mess instead of perfect stripes.
  • Letting the coconut layer cool slightly before pouring prevents it from melting the mango base—it took me two sticky attempts to learn this!
03 -
  • Always dissolve the agar-agar completely—no shortcuts—or you may find gritty grains lurking in an otherwise perfect dessert.
  • Chilled glasses and chilled plates keep the cubes firmer longer, especially when serving on a hot day.
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