A coconut sorbet made with coconut water, coconut cream, and coconut milk. It's a smooth and creamy dairy-free dessert!

One of the biggest issues I have with sorbet is how it's hardly ever smooth and creamy. Fortunately, Kimberly figured out how to prepare and serve a tender coconut sorbet.

The two main factors include the ingredients used and how the sorbet is served. I'll touch on both of those things in the sections below.

For now, check out the texture on that dairy-free treat! Need another dairy-free treat? Take a look at our tropical fruit salad made with coconut dressing or refreshing watermelon sorbet!

Two glasses with scoops of the coconut sorbet.

How do I make sorbet soft?

Usually, what makes ice cream so smooth and creamy is the use of milk, half and half, or heavy cream.

However, sorbets are generally dairy-free. So, when they freeze (crystallize), they typically end up with a, "rough," texture and mouthfeel.

To ensure that our coconut sorbet stayed tender and creamy, Kim used cream of coconut. Which, believe it or not, freezes similar to dairy due to its fat content.

Combine that with letting the dessert thaw a little just before serving creates a tender coconut sorbet.

A closer photo of the sorbet emphasizing the creamy texture.

How to make coconut sorbet from scratch?

The best way to make a sorbet is by using an ice cream maker. Sure, you can make sorbet without it, but it's always best to have the right tool for the job.

Be sure to place the core of the machine into your freezer the night before. Also, place the cans of coconut milk and coconut cream into your fridge the night before.

Doing so, will ensure the ingredients freeze properly when everything is put together.

Coconut water and sugar in a measuring glass.

Now, to get started, open the coconut water and pour it into a small saucepan. Stir in the sugar.

Place the pan over low heat and allow the mixture to heat until all the sugar has dissolved. Be sure to stir the mixture as it warms up.

After that, transfer the water to your fridge to chill for at least an hour. Once it cools, transfer it to a blender.

Coconut milk and cream of coconut in a glass measuring cup.

Then, open the cans of coconut milk and coconut cream. Pour them into the blender along with the coconut water mixture.

Pulse the ingredients until they're combined. Afterward, pour the coconut sorbet base into your frozen ice cream core.

The sorbet mixture churning in an ice cream maker.

Begin churning the mixture per the appliance instructions. If you're using the shredded coconut, add it when the sorbet reaches the soft-serve stage.

Last, when the churning process is done, transfer the coconut sorbet to a 9x5-inch loaf pan or other freezer-safe container.

The sorbet in a nine by thirteen inch loaf pan.

Let everything freeze for at least 2-hours before scooping and serving. That's it the tender coconut sorbet recipe done!

A scoop of the sorbet being removed from the pan.

Recipe Notes and Tips:

The prep time does NOT include time for the ice cream core to freeze and the coconut milk and cream cream of coconut to chill.
Place the core into your freezer at least 8-hours (night before) in advance. Additionally, place the cans of coconut milk and coconut cream into your fridge at least 8-hours before you start the recipe (night before).
After about 24-hours, the sorbet freezes solid. To serve a tender coconut sorbet, remove it from the fridge about 10-minutes before scooping and serving.

The finished tender coconut sorbet served in short martini glasses.

Other dessert recipes you may enjoy:

Recipe Card with Ingredient Amounts and Instructions