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Home » Dessert Recipes

Published: May 23, 2020 · by Johnathan · This post may contain affiliate links ·

Coconut Sorbet Recipe

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Coconut sorbet scooped into a cup.

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:

  • Easy Pineapple Popsicles
  • Mango Mousse
  • Homemade Pudding Cups
  • Lime Sherbet
  • Pineapple Sorbet

Recipe Card with Ingredient Amounts and Instructions

Tender coconut sorbet served in small martini glass.

Coconut Sorbet Recipe

4.6 from 59 votes
Print Pin
Author: Kim
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
Additional Time: 3 hours hours
Total Time: 3 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 15 Servings
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Suggested Equipment

  • Ice Cream Maker
  • Glass Measuring Cups
  • Saucepan(s)

Ingredients

  • 27.32 ounce(s) unsweetened coconut milk, 2 (13.66 ounce) cans
  • 13.66 ounce(s) coconut cream, unsweetened; 1 (13.66 ounce) can
  • 8 ounce(s) coconut water, unsweetened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar, adjust to taste
  • ½ cup shredded coconut, optional

Instructions
 

  • This recipe uses an ice cream maker. If necessary, place the core of the ice cream maker into the freezer overnight to freeze solid. Additionally, place the cans of coconut milk and cream of coconut in the refrigerator for several hours before using. 
    27.32 ounce(s) unsweetened coconut milk
    13.66 ounce(s) coconut cream
  • Pour the coconut water and sugar into a small saucepan and heat over low heat. Stir occasionally until the sugar is dissolved, then remove from heat. Transfer to the refrigerator to cool completely.
    8 ounce(s) coconut water
    1 cup granulated sugar
  • After the coconut water cools, place it along with both cans of coconut milk and the coconut cream into a blender. Blend just until the mixture is combined. 
  • Pour the mixture into the prepared ice cream maker and churn until it reaches the soft-serve stage. Add the shredded coconut if using. 
    ½ cup shredded coconut
  • Transfer the sorbet to a freezer-safe container, and freeze for 2 to 3 hours. The sorbet will firm up a bit but will be softer in texture than a full-fat, dairy based ice cream.

Notes

*Prep time does not include the time for the ice cream core to freeze or for the cans of coconut milk and coconut cream to chill.
 
*The sorbet freezes solid, so it’s best to let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes prior to scooping out of the container.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 279kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 2gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 21gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 26mgPotassium: 275mgFiber: 2gSugar: 16gVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 2mg
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    Recipe Rating




  1. Isabel says

    February 19, 2022 at 9:02 pm

    Hi,
    What would you suggest if I didn't want to use regular granulated sugar? Could I use agave or maple syrup instead?

    Reply
    • John says

      February 20, 2022 at 7:04 am

      Good morning Isabel, you should be able to substitute maple syrup in place of the granulated sugar. Thanks for asking, have a lovely day 🙂

      Reply
    • gina lang says

      June 17, 2022 at 10:28 am

      @John,

      how did it turn out with maple syrup?

      Reply
      • John says

        June 18, 2022 at 6:37 am

        Good morning Gina, I'm not sure how it turned out for Isabel. However, Carrie at Clean Eating Kitchen uses maple syrup in her mango ice cream recipe and it is tasty! I can personally attest to that because we made that recipe ourselves.

        Since it works well with her mango ice cream, it should work with our coconut sorbet recipe. Here's the link if you want to her ice cream if you want to try it too. https://www.cleaneatingkitchen.com/easy-dairy-free-mango-ice-cream/

        I hope this information helps and I hope you have a lovely day 🙂

  2. Arianna says

    August 14, 2021 at 9:34 am

    Hi, can I use sweetened instead?

    Reply
    • Kim says

      August 14, 2021 at 12:53 pm

      Hi Arianna!

      What kind of sweetened product would you like to use? Thanks so much! 🙂

      Reply
    • malia says

      August 25, 2022 at 7:09 pm

      @Kim,

      can i use sweetened coconut water and skip the sugar or cut down on the sugar?

      Reply
      • Kim says

        August 25, 2022 at 8:46 pm

        Hi Malia!

        Yes, sweetened coconut water will work in this recipe. Whether you cut down on the sugar or omit it completely will depend on how sweet you want the sorbet. Have a wonderful evening! 🙂

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Coconut sorbet scooped into a cup.
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Coconut sorbet scooped into a cup.

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