Sweet Coconut Sticky Rice

Sweet Coconut Sticky Rice

8 servings
How to make sticky rice at home with and without a steaming basket. This Thai sweet sticky rice recipe is perfect for serving alongside mango and other fresh fruits for a healthy, hearty dessert. Plus, this is a low-sugar version, for an even healthier, refreshing, gluten-free, vegan dessert!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups glutinous Thai rice
  • 2 cups coconut milk
  • 1/4 cup cane sugar

    feel free to increase, if preferred.

  • 3 Tbsp water
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 pandan leaves)

    or lime leaves (optional

  • 1 tsp tapioca starch

    or cornstarch/corn flour

Directions

  1. 1

    Don’t skip this step! Soaking the rice will allow the grain to swell slightly and is key to creating authentic sticky rice.

  2. 2

    Depending on the size of your cooking pot, you need to add enough rice to come to around 2 inches below where the bamboo steamer basket is. I used three cups of water.

  3. 3

    Place a lid over the pot and steam for around 20 minutes, until soft but with a slight ‘bite.’ See the video and photo’s for more guidance. Once ready, remove from the steamer and set aside in a bowl.

  4. 4

    In a small saucepan, combine the coconut milk, cane sugar, salt, and pandan leaves (or lime leaves) and heat on low for a few minutes. Then pour half of the liquid in with the rice and mix well.

  5. 5

    Keep any leftover coconut sticky rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat, you can re-steam or microwave, until warmed.

Sweet Coconut Sticky Rice

Sweet Coconut Sticky Rice

25 min8 servings

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About this Recipe

Craving a taste of tropical paradise that’s both indulgent and health-conscious? This Sweet Coconut Sticky Rice recipe brings the authentic flavors of a beloved Thai dessert right to your kitchen, offering a low-sugar, gluten-free, and vegan treat that’s perfect with fresh mango.

You'll love how straightforward it is to achieve perfectly tender sticky rice, whether you use a steaming basket or not. We've carefully balanced the creamy coconut and sweetness, providing a healthier version that still delivers incredible flavor. It’s an ideal canvas for the vibrant sweetness of fresh fruits.

Prepare for a delightful dance of textures and flavors. Each spoonful offers tender, slightly chewy glutinous rice enveloped in a rich, subtly sweet coconut cream. The optional addition of pandan leaves (or lime leaves) infuses the dish with an aromatic whisper, transforming it into a truly refreshing and satisfying experience. This is a surprisingly hearty yet light dessert that naturally fits into a gluten-free and vegan lifestyle, making it a feel-good treat.

This recipe is wonderfully adaptable to your preferences. You can easily adjust the cane sugar to your desired sweetness level, adding more if you prefer a richer dessert. If pandan leaves aren't readily available, lime leaves make an excellent aromatic substitution. And don't worry if you don't have tapioca starch on hand; cornstarch or corn flour work just as well to achieve the desired consistency in the coconut sauce.

Serve this delightful Sweet Coconut Sticky Rice alongside slices of fresh, ripe mango, or any other seasonal fruits you enjoy, for a truly healthy and invigorating dessert experience that feels like a mini-vacation.

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