Easy Almond Jelly Dessert Recipe (2024)

BY :Bebs | Published: | Updated: | 10 Comments

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5 from 2 votes

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Light and refreshing, Almond Jelly is a classic Asian dessert of almond-flavored jelly that can be eaten on its own or usually pairedwith lychee or other fresh or canned fruits.

Easy Almond Jelly Dessert Recipe (1)
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  • What is Almond Jelly?
  • How is it made?
  • Printable Recipe
  • Recipe Video
  • FAQs
  • More Easy Desserts

This almond jelly with lychees is one of the easiest desserts I've ever made. It is also quite refreshing as it is served chilled. Perfect for regular day dessert but elegant enough for special occasions.

With its subtle flavor and sweetness and overall being a light dessert, it is not surprising that one serving is never enough.

Easy Almond Jelly Dessert Recipe (2)
  • What is Almond Jelly?
  • How is it made?
  • Printable Recipe
  • Deliciously Easy Almond Jelly with Lychees
  • Recipe Video
  • FAQs
  • More Easy Desserts

What is Almond Jelly?

The original almond jelly or almond (Annin) tofu, as it is known in China where the said dessert hailed from, is really made fromthe apricotsweet kernel and not almonds. They look and smell alike and have the same Chinese translation, "Xingren" leading to the confusion in translation.

Easy Almond Jelly Dessert Recipe (3)

How is it made?

Traditionally, apricot kernels are soaked in water, then ground to extract the 'almond milk'. This liquid is then sweetened and mixed with a gelling agent,usually agar, and then heated. It is then chilled to let it set into soft tofu-like consistency.

Easy Almond Jelly Dessert Recipe (4)

Nowadays, almond jelly is still a popular dessert, not only in China but in most Asian countries like Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and, of course, the Philippines.

It is also much easier to make with as less as six (6) ingredients, that includes jelly powder, water, almond essence, sugar, milk and, in this case, canned Lychee, I am quite happy with this recipe.

You can, of course, make alterations and use fresh fruits in season. I am thinking of melon, mango, and peaches right now...

Easy Almond Jelly Dessert Recipe (5)

I've already mentioned the difference in using jelly powder and gelatin powder in my Coffee Jelly recipe, which you might also want to check out. I've also used jelly powder in this recipe.

Printable Recipe

Easy Almond Jelly Dessert Recipe (6)

Print Review

Deliciously Easy Almond Jelly with Lychees

5 from 2 votes

Light and refreshing, Almond Jelly, a classic dessert of almond-flavored jelly that can be eaten as is or pairedwith lychee or other fresh/canned fruits.

Print Recipe Rate this Recipe

Ingredients

  • 3 cups water
  • 1 pouch clear jelly powder (gulaman/agar agar) - 25g (see Note 1)
  • 1 cup milk
  • ¼ teaspoon almond extract
  • cup sugar - adjust as preferred
  • 1 can whole lychees with the liquid syrup - 565 grams

Instructions

  • In a pot, add the water and gradually sprinkle jelly powder, stir until dissolved.

  • Bring to a soft boil then remove from heat. Add milk, sugar, and almond extract and stir until completely dissolved.

  • Pour mixture in a 9x9-inch square pan and let it cool to set.

  • Using a knife, cut through the almond jelly horizontally and then diagonally to make diamond-shaped cubes.

  • Transfer almond jelly to a large bowl or container with lid. Add the lychees including the liquid syrup from the can. Cover and chill.

  • Serve cold.

Notes

Note 1. Gelatin powder can also be used and I would recommend using Knox but you may have to adjust the amount, 1 envelope =2 cups of water, so you will need 3 envelopes. The procedure is also different. You just dissolve the gelatin in hot water or and refrigerate for 2 hours or until set. Whatever you use , follow the package instructions.

Nutrition

Calories: 41kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 0gFat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 14mgPotassium: 32mgSugar: 7gVitamin A: 40IUCalcium: 30mgIron: 0mg

Have you tried this recipe?Mention @foxyfolksy or tag #FoxyFolksyRecipes!

Recipe Video

FAQs

Can I use Knox( Gelatine)?

Yes, you can. You will need 2 envelopes to make this recipe. Or use 3 envelopes for firmer jelly. Follow package instructions.

Can I use evaporated milk?

Sure, you can

Can I use almond milk?

For a non-dairy option, you can use almond milk.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    What do you think?

  1. Maria says

    I just tried this recipe and somehow the jelly set too hard…what could this be due to? I checked the ingredients and I believe I followed the recipe correctly. The only thing I did re the pan, because the pan was old, is I set parchment paper in the bottom. Could that have absorbed some of the liquid?

    Reply

    • Bebs says

      Different brands of jelly powder have different water or liquid to powder ratio. You can try adding more water next time or cut the amount of the jelly powder next time.

      Reply

  2. Katherine says

    What kind of milk did you use? What’s best to use for this recipe? Fresh or evap milk? Thank you!

    Reply

    • Bebs says

      Both are ok to use. Whatever is available is the best.

      Reply

  3. Hi says

    Easy Almond Jelly Dessert Recipe (23)
    Absolutely love the recipe! I ended up tweaking it a little for more almond flavor. My hardest challenge with this simple recipe is waiting for the jelly to set!

    Reply

    • Bebs says

      I can understand how waiting can be so difficult sometimes.😉

      Reply

  4. Sue says

    I tried this recipe as written and dismally failed when the agar agar was not disolving in 3 cups of water. Then I read the directions on the packet (Telephone brand) and found out that 1 pouch of agar agar (25g) needs 12 cups of water. I had to triple the recipe to try to get the agar agar to dissolve and even then, it wasn't dissolving well.

    Reply

  5. nicole (thespicetrain.com) says

    What a fascinating recipe, I love the sound of it! Also love the presentation in the bowls, it looks beautiful. Thank you for sharing, Bebs! 🙂

    Reply

    • Bebs says

      Hi Nicole, just checked out your amazingly beautiful site. So this nice comment coming from you means a lot to me. And I just downloaded your Prop-Talk Ebook, a new fan here!

      Reply

      • nicole (thespicetrain.com) says

        That is so wonderful to hear, thank you, Bebs!! You made my day! 🙂

        Reply

Easy Almond Jelly Dessert Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is Chinese almond jelly made of? ›

What is almond tofu or almond jelly? It's a Chinese dessert made with sweet apricot kernels or also known as Southern almond (南杏仁). The kernels are soaked and then blend until smooth. The “milk” is collected and the pulp can be used to make porridge, cakes, cookies, or bread.

Is almond jelly good for you? ›

Almond Jelly is a refreshing, light and healthy dessert made with just 6 ingredients- perfect for the summer! Vegan & gluten free.

What does almond jelly taste like? ›

An iconic offering on any dim sum cart, Almond Jello is at once lightly sweet, ethereal and creamy. Sort of like an Asian panna cotta. I love making it for summer gatherings when you want a little something sweet to end a meal, but not something super heavy.

Where did almond jello come from? ›

The exact origins of the dish are not known, but almond jelly is often tied to Dong Feng, a physician who lived during the Han Dynasty, sometime around 200 A.D. Rather than requiring payment from needy patients, Dong Feng instead asked that they plant apricot trees once they were cured — one for something minor, and ...

What is Japanese jelly made of? ›

Konjac jelly, or konnyaku (こんにゃく), is made from the starchy konjac plant, which belongs to the same family as the taro and the yam. The elephant foot yam and devil's tongue are alternative names for the konjac plant. People grow the plant in various parts of Asia, which has been in China for centuries.

What is the Chinese jelly dessert called? ›

Grass jelly, also known as leaf jelly or herb jelly, is a jelly-like dessert originating from China. It is commonly consumed in East Asia and Southeast Asia.

What is the downside of jelly? ›

It's a flavored, gelatin-based dessert that's low in calories and fat. But it's also high in sugar and artificial sweeteners, which may be harmful to your health.

Is it OK to eat jelly every day? ›

Eating jelly contributes to your daily iron, calcium, potassium and phosphorus requirements. These minerals are essential for bone, cell and tissue health. Any foods that contain vital nutrients like calcium are definitely worth including in your regular diet. Gelatin is also known for its unique amino acid profile.

What is the healthiest jam or jelly? ›

Jam incorporates crushed or puréed fruit, giving it a more textured consistency. Drawing from our experience, this inclusion of whole fruit adds to its fiber and nutrient content, making it slightly better and healthier than jelly.

Can you add almond milk to jello? ›

To make Jell-O pudding with almond milk, whisk the Cook & Serve pudding mix into 2 cups of refrigerated unsweetened almond milk in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil on medium heat, whisking constantly. Remove from heat and let sit untouched for at least 5 minutes.

What is tasteless jelly? ›

Gelatin, also known as gelatine, is an almost tasteless and colorless substance that is derived from collagen, which in turn is found in connective tissue and bones. Most gelatin is extracted from the skin and bones that are left over after animal bodies are processed into meat, leather, or other products.

Why does almond taste sour? ›

The bitter taste often found when eating almonds has been identified by scientists in Spain. The culprit has a name: amygdalin, a diglucoside that, when in contact with enzymes present in saliva, breaks down into glucose, benzaldehyde (the cause of the bitter taste) and hydrogen cyanide.

Why is Jell-O no longer popular? ›

With Jell-O salads becoming less popular, the brand looked for its next hit. But it had a problem: With the increase in women entering the workforce, families weren't sitting down for as many meals and eating dessert like they once did. And new, ready-to-eat foods were hitting the market that were more convenient.

What state eats the most Jell-O? ›

Utah eats more Jell-O than any other state

The people in Utah love their Jell-O! The state has an entire holiday week dedicated to the jiggly treat, and it's even Utah's official state food.

Why was Jell-O so popular in the 60s? ›

“Gelatin was very easy to prepare by mid-century cooking standards, and storing foods suspended within gelatin helped those foods stay fresh longer,” explains Ruth Clark, author and blogger at Mid Century Menu.

What is Chinese almond cookie made of? ›

Ingredients in Chinese Almond Cookies

Almond flour, almond extract, and slivered almonds ensure that you get an intense flavor that will eclipse any paper-filled treat. Set out a plate of these for the upcoming Chinese New Year. Almond cookies symbolize coins and will be sure to bring you good fortune.

What is Chinese grass jelly made from? ›

Grass jelly is made by boiling a plant called Chinese mesona along with starch and potassium carbonate (the same alkaline substance used to make alkaline noodles and jianshui zong). Grass jelly is mostly tasteless, with a slight hint of bitterness and the texture of jello.

What is Chinese gelatin made of? ›

The term “jiao” (胶) widely refers to the glue (gelatin) consisting of collagen and other fiber proteins extracted by boiling hide from various animals, such as cows, horses, deer, and donkeys.

Is Chinese almond a nut? ›

chinese almonds

Well, it's not actually made from almonds but rather, apricot kernels. Yes, another drupe, hence the similarities. The Chinese distinguish between the two by calling one sweet almond and the other bitter almond.

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