Litchi Pudding Recipe: A Light, Creamy Custard Dessert For The Summer Months
Written by jheelum basu | August 7, 2026
Some fruits carry the essence of a whole season at their core. And when it comes to summer, besides mangoes, it is the litchis that do the same job. Hanging in bunches from the tree like summer jewels, these juicy, pulpy, tropical fruits feature a red shell that encases a soft white flesh. Loved for their sweet and refreshing taste, litchis are perfect for beating the scorching summer heat as well. The best part is that they make fantastic summer desserts. And litchi pudding indeed is one of the most cherished ones.
Why Is Litchi Pudding A Perfect Summer Delight
With the subtle floral fragrance and tropical sweetness, this creamy chilled milk-based dessert serves comfort and delight with every single bite. In this popular exotic Asian cuisine, the fresh and juicy fruit blends perfectly with the creamy milk. Instead of the heavily baked winter desserts, this milky, chilled litchi pudding brings a respite amidst the excruciating heat. Often served with coconut, pomegranate, rose, or cardamom, this dessert is simply a classic delight. Besides the great taste, with over 80 percent water content, it also hydrates the body and melts in the mouth right away due to its soft texture. If you want to try this litchi pudding recipe at home, here are all the details you need to know.
Litchi Pudding Recipe: Step-By-Step Guide
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups chopped, deseeded litchis
- 3 cups of full-fat milk
- ¾ cup condensed milk
- 2-3 tablespoons of custard powder
- 3.4 cups of freshly whipped cream
- 1 tablespoon gelatin
- A handful of pomegranate seeds
- Some mint leaves
- Chopped nuts
Step-by-step Guide
- To prepare the pudding base, start by combining the custard powder with some cold milk and turning this into a smooth paste
- Once done, mix it with the rest of the milk in a saucepan and boil it
- Once the milk gets closer to the boiling point, allow it to simmer until it achieves a thick texture
- Now, remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the bloomed gelatin and condensed milk
- Keep stirring until they are fully dissolved
- Allow the mixture to come to room temperature and then fold the whipped fresh cream and the chopped litchis
- Once the pudding is ready, transfer it to the serving bowls and refrigerate for 4 to 5 hours until set
- Just before serving, garnish the litchi pudding with pomegranate seeds, chopped pistachios, or fresh mint, and serve it chilled
Tips & Tricks For A Perfect Litchi Pudding
Don’t boil the milk:
To avoid curdling, make sure the milk never boils completely. Once it approaches the boiling point, remove it from the heat.
Simmer for thickening:
If using cornstarch in the litchi pudding recipe, it is essential to allow the pudding to simmer for a minute to make sure the starch is cooked well.
Cover to avoid the skin:
Once the pudding is placed in the refrigerator uncovered, within a few minutes, it forms a rubbery skin on top that ruins the texture of the pudding. To avoid it, cover the pudding tightly with plastic wrap before putting it in the fridge.
Remove from heat on time:
Once the pudding is done, make sure it is removed from the heat on time and transferred into a clean, room-temperature bowl. This prevents overcooking and burning of the bottom.
Chilling is key:
While it is truly tempting to serve the litchi pudding as soon as it is done, chilling it for a few hours in the refrigerator is simply non-negotiable to achieve the desired consistency.
Conclusion: This summer, make sure the scorching hot days seem a little bearable with this litchi pudding recipe. Prepare them beforehand and chill them well so that they can be enjoyed once you are back home.