Perfectly tart and sweet, this dairy-free lemon pudding is a winner. It's made with coconut milk and coconut oil, and wonderful topped with fruit, nuts, and more.
I pride myself in the fact that, barring the rare occasion, I'm a lover of all foods. Still though, my preferences are fairly strong in ranking my culinary options when it comes to dinner, dessert, etc.
Let's say there's a dessert table. Even without knowing the individual options available, I can say that 99% of the time I'd make a beeline for the chocolate. Chocolate in any form.
However that 1% though...that 1% is reserved for lemon pudding. Especially when it comes to this dairy-free lemon pudding made with coconut milk.
Reasons to love this recipe
This dairy-free pudding straddles the line beautifully between sweet and sour. Just enough on both fronts. It thickens nicely on the stovetop from the addition of cornstarch and has a smooth, more luxe texture from the addition of egg yolks and melted coconut oil.
Only the best combination of tart and creamy can get me to stray with my chocolate-obsessed sweet tooth, and this is it.
Although I'm in the know because I've been the one to make it each time I've eaten it, I'd venture to say that your crowd wouldn't even suspect that it's any deviation from classic pudding (a.k.a. a pudding with a dairy base). The bright lemon flavor from the zest and juice mask any hint of coconut from the coconut milk, and the creamy, thick consistency is spot on.
Recipe ingredients
This pudding recipe transforms basic ingredients into a rich and smooth dairy-free lemon dessert treat! You'll need:
- Granulated sugar: A half-cup of sugar balances the tartness from the lemon zest and juice wonderfully.
- Cornstarch: This is an important ingredient that allows the pudding mixture to thicken on the stovetop.
- Salt: Just a little bit in dessert recipes counteracts the sweetness.
- Coconut milk: Regular, lite, or a combination will all work here. Mixing the two is a great way to balance richness and the calorie count/nutrition.
- Egg yolks: These add a richness to homemade pudding recipes. Don't worry about final pudding tasting "eggy" at all.
- Lemons: We're using the juice and zest of three lemons here to bring a bold but not overwhelming flavor.
- Coconut oil: Stirring in coconut oil at the end of the recipe adds a rich texture and mouthfeel. Refined or unrefined works.
Recipe instructions
There are four main steps to this dairy-free lemon pudding recipe.
The first is to combine ingredients in a medium saucepan. Start with whisking together the sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a medium saucepan, and then stir in the coconut milk. Set this all over medium heat.
The second step is to separately whisk the egg yolks until they're creamy. Whisk this into the saucepan along with the lemon zest.
Next stir while it heats, until it's thickened to the point it can coat the back of a wooden spoon in a thick layer. This will take somewhere around fifteen minutes. Then remove the pan from the heat, stir in the coconut oil and lemon juice, and let it cool to room temperature.
The last step, once it has cooled, is to strain out the lemon zest and chill well before serving.
Related recipes
Dairy-free banana pudding features real bananas in the pudding mixture itself for a boldly-flavored take on a dessert classic. Using dairy-free vanilla wafers ensures this entire dessert is dairy-free.
Another favorite that can be tweaked for dairy-free eating? Fudge pops. Dairy-free fudgesicles are so rich and chocolate-y, with such a simple recipe method.
Recipe notes
- Pressing a layer of plastic wrap along the top of the pudding as it's cooling to room temperature (and in the refrigerator) prevents an off-putting film from forming.
Dairy-Free Lemon Pudding
Ingredients
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 ¼ cups canned coconut milk, regular or lite
- 4 large egg yolks
- 2 ½ tablespoon lemon zest (from about 3 lemons)
- ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 3 lemons)
- 2 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Add sugar, cornstarch, and salt to a saucepan and whisk to combine. Add coconut milk and whisk again until all ingredients are combined evenly. Set saucepan over medium heat.
- In a mixing bowl, add egg yolks and whisk until creamy. Add whisked egg yolks and lemon zest to the saucepan with the coconut milk mixture and stir to combine. Stir the mixture often as it heats, keeping an even closer eye on it as it begins to thicken (after 12-15 minutes, for me). When the pudding mixture can coat the back of a wooden spoon in a thick layer (not just thinly), it's done.
- Remove the saucepan from heat, pour in lemon juice and coconut oil, and whisk or stir until the oil has melted (it should melt quickly). Once everything is evenly combined, let the pudding cool to room temperature (see tip).
- Once at room temperature, pour pudding through a strainer to remove out the lemon zest. Refrigerate pudding for at least 2-3 hours before serving, or overnight.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as an estimate. As it can vary due to many factors (brands used, quantities, etc.), we cannot guarantee its accuracy.
Food Safety and Nutrition Disclaimer
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Jodi says
Is this canned coconut milk or refrigerated?
Alyssa says
Canned!
sabz says
hi, could i substitute normal milk for the coconut milk? would it still work?
Alyssa says
Hi there, dairy milk should be fine as the cornstarch then the egg yolks work to thicken everything up. I wouldn't use fat-free, but a version with some fat percentage would be better for flavor.
Lauren says
How long would this last in the fridge?
Alyssa says
Hi Lauren, I'd say around 4-5 days.
Gary says
VERY bold and bright lemon flavor. Smooth and creamy. We loved it. I did modify it a bit though. My wife's b/d is in early January, and January is considered a citrus month for bakers, plus it is VERY cold here in Denver this January, so I tweaked the recipe, striving for a soothing lemon-ginger-honey flavor profile. I added 1 Tbs. of grated fresh ginger to the pudding at the same time I added the lemon zest, and strained out the ginger fiber with the lemon zest. When serving, I drizzled a thin stream of honey back and forth across the top of the pudding. Perfect for my lovely lady's b/d dessert !
Alyssa says
Thank you for your review, Gary - I'm so glad you loved it! Your spin on this pudding sounds absolutely delicious.
Kate says
Very excited to try this! I'd like to substitute honey or maple syrup for the granulated sugar. Do you think that would work (and do you have suggestions on quantities)? Thank you!
Alyssa says
Hi Kate, I haven't tried those substitutions myself, but I think they would work just fine. I'd stick with the same quantity. Please let me know if you end up giving it a try!
Lori Ramseier says
Hi Alyssa, is it possible to use almond milk instead of coconut? I have found that I can taste the coconut when I use it in desserts and I really don't like coconut. Will it thicken enough if I use almond milk?
Thanks,
Lori
Alyssa says
Hi Lori, I haven't tried a pudding with all almond milk so I couldn't say for sure how it would do, but I think it would work fine. I have made dairy-free pudding using about half coconut milk and half almond milk and it worked well. That recipe used the same amount of cornstarch as this one does - 2 tbsp. I've also made Italian hot chocolate (which is very thick and creamy, almost like a sippable pudding) with all almond milk and cornstarch did the trick to thicken it nicely there. I hope that's helpful, and please let me know if you give it a try!
Sue says
Omg! This is so good! I made it for my afternoon book club and they loved it!
Alyssa says
So glad you like it, Sue! 🙂
Monte brown says
I have a vegetarian daughter. I was wondering if you think or if you've tried using cornstarch as a thickener in place of the eggs. Would it work?
Alyssa says
Hi Monte, I've never replaced the eggs with cornstarch in this recipe before, so I'm not sure how it would turn out. If you were to give it a try, I'd say either increasing the cornstarch or using another acceptable thickening agent could work until the pudding reaches the right consistency. I'd also suggest using full-fat coconut milk vs. the lite varieties because I've found it's thicker to start. I hope that helps!
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
Girl, you know I'm with ya regarding chocolate and dessert tables but I also understand the allure of a delicious lemon dessert! This looks delicious and so perfect for summer, too!
Alyssa says
Thanks Bianca! It's one of those problems-but-not-really liking all types of dessert. 😉
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I love most foods too, and that's something that I pride myself on, because I will try everything once! I've never had a dairy free pudding before, but I'm loving the looks of this lemon version! Looks so pretty with the blueberries on top!