I constantly dream about visiting Hawaii for the tropical flavors and fresh fruit.
While a trip might not happen immediately, I can certainly whip up these 14 incredible recipes in my own kitchen.
From coconut to passion fruit, every single one of these Hawaiian desserts brings a taste of the islands to your table.
1. Instant Pot Kulolo
Kulolo essentially functions as a pudding style fudge featuring taro. The texture is wonderfully warm and chewy.
While traditional methods involve hours of baking or steaming, your Instant Pot slashes that cooking time significantly. You do need to grate the taro, and sticking with brown sugar ensures the best flavor profile.
2. Hawaiian Dream Cake
Swapping water for pineapple juice instantly infuses this cake with tropical vibes. Even the faux cheesecake layer boasts crushed pineapple for extra island flair.
I adore the thick pudding and how moist the crumb becomes. To keep things light, cover the whole treat in sweetened whipped cream and a sprinkle of crunchy toasted coconut.
3. Brown Sugar Grilled Pineapple
People often overlook grilled fruit in favor of frosting covered cakes or sugary ice cream scoops. However, throwing fruit on the grill creates one of the best summer sweets imaginable.
Brown sugar assists the natural fruit sugars in caramelizing for a deep, rich taste. The heat softens and chars the pineapple until it literally melts in your mouth.
4. Copycat Guri Guri
This fabulous ice cream hybrid requires no fancy machine. You simply combine condensed milk, cream, and strawberry syrup. Freezing the mixture while stirring occasionally keeps the consistency perfectly light.
While strawberry is a major favorite, pineapple also ranks as a very close second choice.
5. Hawaiian Pineapple Poke Cake
Poke cakes are brilliant because the pudding seeps into the sponge to guarantee moisture even if you accidentally over bake it.
This version utilizes crushed pineapples that soak into the crumb. You get delightful pops of fruity flavor alongside the luscious creamy topping.
6. Rainbow Jello
My childhood gelatin snacks never looked this adorable. While the concept is simple, constructing this dessert requires some patience. You must let each layer set individually to achieve those crisp, clean lines.
I absolutely love the milky layers which add creamy flavor and provide a visual break between the bright colors.
7. Haupia Cake
Haupia is a widely loved coconut pudding in Hawaii. Utilizing it as a cake filling offers a refreshing alternative to the heavy, sugary frostings we typically see. The coconut flavor truly takes center stage here.
Although I enjoy the clean white aesthetic, adding a layer of passion fruit or crushed pineapple in the center would create a lovely refreshing twist.
8. Hawaiian POG Recipe
POG represents the tropical trio of passion fruit, orange, and guava. This combination creates a morning beverage far superior to standard orange juice.
If you own a high quality blender, I suggest utilizing fresh fruit, though pineapple works as a substitute for passion fruit. You can also assemble this using all natural store bought juices or spike it with rum for a fantastic cocktail.
9. Hawaiian Cheesecake Bars
I honestly love every single component of these bars. It starts with a winning buttery shortbread crust. The pineapple cheesecake filling is so good I could eat it straight from the bowl.
A chewy coconut topping seals the deal. These treats travel beautifully and you can even freeze them for later enjoyment.
10. Hawaiian Ambrosia
This classic dish often confuses people with its name since it definitely is not a salad.
It features a delicious mix of mandarins, grapes, pineapple, and coconut. For anyone with a sweet tooth, the fruit comes coated in Cool Whip and dotted with mini marshmallows.
11. Passion Fruit Ice Cream
Hawaii shares a deep appreciation for passion fruit and coconut, similar to Australian cuisine.
You might find the necessary fruit pulp in select grocery stores or through online retailers. It is absolutely crucial to use actual pulp rather than passion fruit juice for this recipe.
12. Coconut Macadamia Nut Bars
These buttery, chewy little bars are incredibly difficult to resist.
A simple shortbread base supports the rich toppings without overpowering them. The filling packs a punch with coconut cream, brown sugar, macadamia nuts, and a splash of lemon juice.
13. Hawaiian Banana Nut Bread
You might feel tempted to scroll past another banana bread recipe, but please stop. This one stands out thanks to chewy coconut, crushed pineapple, and chopped cherries.
Ensure your bananas are incredibly ripe before starting. For maximum flavor impact, I recommend toasting the coconut before mixing it into the batter.
14. Chocolate Haupia Pie (Ted’s Bakery Copycat)
Haupia serves as a thickened coconut layer comparable to custard or pudding. Cornstarch helps it set into a silky, gelatin style texture.
A second filling combines that mixture with chocolate chips for a creamy, velvety layer. Finally, the entire pie gets finished with coconut scented whipped cream.