The Coconut Samba Swirl is a vibrant and festive dessert that captures the spirit of Brazilian carnival in every colorful bite. This show-stopping treat combines layers of creamy coconut pudding with ribbons of tropical fruit purees, creating a dessert that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious. Inspired by the lively energy of samba dancing, this dessert features swirls of mango, passion fruit, and guava that dance through rich coconut cream, delivering bursts of sweet and tangy flavors with each spoonful.
This recipe serves 6 people and takes about 30 minutes to prepare, plus 3 hours of chilling time. The result is an elegant dessert with beautiful swirled patterns that mirror the flowing movements of samba dancers, making it perfect for special occasions or whenever you want to bring a taste of the tropics to your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this Coconut Samba Swirl recipe, gather these tropical ingredients:
For the coconut base:
- 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk, chilled
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon coconut extract
- 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
For the fruit swirls:
- 1 ripe mango, peeled and diced
- 2 passion fruits, pulp extracted
- 1/4 cup guava paste, softened
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Preparing the Coconut Base
Start by creating the creamy coconut foundation that will hold all the beautiful swirls. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar and cornstarch until well combined. Gradually add the coconut milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring continuously, until the mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency, about 8-10 minutes. The mixture should coat the back of a spoon and hold its shape when you draw a line through it with your finger.
Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract, coconut extract, and shredded coconut. Let the mixture cool slightly while you prepare the fruit swirls.
Creating the Fruit Swirls
In a blender or food processor, puree the diced mango with 1 tablespoon of honey until completely smooth. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside. The mango puree should be thick but pourable, with a vibrant orange color.
In another small bowl, combine the passion fruit pulp with the remaining honey and lime juice. Stir gently to combine, keeping some of the seeds for texture and visual appeal.
Soften the guava paste by warming it in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, then stir until smooth. If it’s still too thick, add a teaspoon of warm water to achieve a swirling consistency.
Assembling the Swirl Pattern
In a large glass serving bowl or individual glasses, begin layering your Coconut Samba Swirl. Start with a layer of the coconut base, filling about one-third of your container.
Drop spoonfuls of the mango puree, passion fruit mixture, and guava paste randomly over the coconut layer. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the fruit purees through the coconut base, creating flowing, dance-like patterns.
Add another layer of coconut base, then repeat the swirling process with the remaining fruit purees. The key is to create organic, flowing patterns that resemble the graceful movements of samba dancers.
Whipping the Cream Topping
In a clean bowl, whip the heavy cream until it forms soft peaks. The cream should be light and airy but still hold its shape. This will add a final layer of richness to your dessert.
Gently fold half of the whipped cream into the remaining coconut base to lighten it, then spoon this mixture as your final layer. Top with dollops of the remaining whipped cream and create one final swirl pattern on the surface.
Chilling and Setting
Cover your Coconut Samba Swirl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or preferably overnight. This chilling time allows all the flavors to meld together and the dessert to set to the perfect consistency.
The coconut base will firm up slightly while the fruit swirls will soften and blend their flavors throughout the dessert, creating a harmonious tropical symphony.
Serving Your Coconut Samba Swirl
Remove from the refrigerator 10 minutes before serving to allow the dessert to soften slightly. Serve in chilled bowls or glasses, making sure each portion includes some of the beautiful swirled patterns.
Garnish with additional toasted coconut flakes, a few fresh passion fruit seeds, or thin slices of mango for an extra tropical touch. The dessert is rich and satisfying, so moderate portions are perfect.
Storage and Variations
This Coconut Samba Swirl will keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually improve over time as they continue to blend together.
For variations, try substituting different tropical fruits like papaya, pineapple, or even dragon fruit for the swirls. You can also add a splash of rum extract to the coconut base for an adult version that truly captures the spirit of Brazilian carnival celebrations.
