Experience the beloved flavors of Thailand’s most famous dessert in frozen form with these incredible Coconut Mango Sticky Rice Popsicles. This creative recipe transforms the classic mango sticky rice dessert into a refreshing frozen treat that captures all the essential elements – creamy coconut milk, sweet ripe mango, and tender glutinous rice – in perfect harmony. Each popsicle delivers layers of tropical flavor and interesting texture, with the coconut providing richness, the mango adding natural sweetness and vibrant color, and the sticky rice creating delightful little bursts of chewiness throughout. These popsicles are perfect for hot summer days when you want something exotic and satisfying, bringing the authentic taste of Southeast Asian street food right to your freezer.
Serving Quantity: Makes 10-12 popsicles
What You Need
- 1/2 cup glutinous rice (also called sweet rice or sticky rice)
- 1 cup water for cooking rice
- 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups ripe mango, peeled and diced (about 2 large mangoes)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Popsicle molds and wooden sticks
Preparing the Sticky Rice
Start by rinsing the glutinous rice under cold water until the water runs clear, which removes excess starch. This type of rice is different from regular rice – it becomes wonderfully chewy and slightly sweet when cooked, perfect for desserts.
In a small saucepan, combine the rinsed rice with 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the water. The grains should be soft and sticky when done.
Creating the Coconut Base
While the rice cooks, shake the can of coconut milk well to combine the cream and liquid portions. In a medium saucepan, combine the coconut milk, granulated sugar, and salt. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. The coconut mixture should be smooth and slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Combining Rice and Coconut
When the rice is done cooking, fluff it gently with a fork and let it cool for about 5 minutes. Add the cooked sticky rice to the warm coconut mixture and stir gently to combine. The rice will absorb some of the coconut flavor while maintaining its chewy texture.
Let this mixture cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally to prevent the rice from clumping together. The cooling process allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Preparing the Mango Layer
While the coconut rice mixture cools, prepare your mangoes. Choose mangoes that are ripe but still firm – they should give slightly when pressed but not be mushy. Peel and dice them into small pieces, removing any fibrous parts near the pit.
In a bowl, combine the diced mango with brown sugar and lime juice. The brown sugar adds deeper sweetness that complements the coconut, while the lime juice brightens the mango flavor and prevents browning.
Creating the Mango Puree
Take about half of your prepared mango mixture and blend it until smooth to create a mango puree. This puree will create beautiful color layers in your popsicles and provide smooth mango flavor, while the remaining diced mango will add texture.
Taste both the mango puree and the coconut rice mixture at this point. The flavors should be well-balanced, with the coconut being creamy and slightly sweet, and the mango being bright and tropical.
Layering for Visual Appeal
For the most beautiful popsicles, you’ll create layers using both mixtures. Start by spooning a small amount of the coconut rice mixture into the bottom of each mold, about 1/4 of the way full. The rice pieces will be visible and add wonderful texture.
Next, add a layer of mango puree, followed by some of the diced mango pieces. Continue alternating layers, ending with either coconut rice or mango on top, depending on your preference.
Ensuring Even Distribution
As you layer, gently tap the molds on the counter to help settle the ingredients and remove air bubbles. Use a thin knife or skewer to gently stir each mold slightly, which helps distribute the rice pieces evenly without completely mixing the layers.
Fill each mold to about 1/4 inch from the top to allow for expansion during freezing. The layered appearance should be visible through the sides of clear molds.
The First Freeze
Place the filled molds in the freezer for about 1 hour, or until the mixture is slushy but not completely frozen. At this point, insert your wooden sticks, making sure they go through the different layers and reach almost to the bottom.
The partially frozen mixture will hold the sticks in place and ensure they stay centered as the popsicles finish freezing.
Complete Freezing Process
Return the molds to the freezer for at least 4-5 hours, or overnight for best results. These popsicles take a bit longer to freeze completely because of the coconut milk content and the rice pieces, but the wait is worth it for the incredible texture and flavor.
Make sure your freezer is set to its coldest setting for the most even freezing and best texture throughout all the layers.
Unmolding Your Masterpieces
To remove the popsicles from their molds, run warm water over the outside of the molds for 15-20 seconds. Be patient with these popsicles – the different textures mean they may need a bit more warming to release easily.
Gently pull each popsicle out by its stick. If they resist, run a little more warm water over the molds, but be careful not to melt the beautiful layers you’ve created.
Storage and Presentation
Wrap each popsicle individually in parchment paper or plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn and maintain their distinct layers. The rice pieces can become harder when frozen for long periods, so these are best enjoyed within 2-3 weeks for optimal texture.
Store them in freezer bags or an airtight container in the freezer. The beautiful layered appearance makes them perfect for special occasions or when you want to impress guests with something unique.
Serving Suggestions
These exotic popsicles are perfect for summer entertaining, especially if you’re serving Asian-inspired dishes. They make an excellent dessert after spicy Thai or Vietnamese meals, as the coconut helps cool the palate.
Serve them on a platter garnished with fresh mango slices, toasted coconut flakes, or even some cooked sticky rice on the side for an authentic presentation.
Tips for Success
Make sure to use glutinous rice, not regular long-grain rice. Glutinous rice has a completely different texture when cooked and is essential for achieving the authentic sticky rice experience in frozen form.
Don’t worry if the rice pieces seem large when you’re layering – they’ll soften slightly as they freeze and become perfectly chewy when eaten. The contrast between the smooth coconut and mango layers and the textured rice is what makes these popsicles so special.
Variations to Try
For an even more authentic experience, you can add a few drops of pandan extract to the coconut mixture, which gives it a subtle vanilla-like flavor and beautiful pale green color that’s traditional in Southeast Asian desserts.
Try adding some toasted sesame seeds or crushed peanuts to one of the layers for extra crunch and nutty flavor. You can also experiment with other tropical fruits like jackfruit or lychee mixed with the mango for different flavor combinations.
