I just finished a Whole30 nutritional challenge that excluded wheat, all grains, legumes, dairy, sugar, and all artificial and natural sugar replacements from my diet. That doesn’t leave much in the way of dessert! Strictly speaking, any type of dessert is off the menu when you’re doing a Whole 30 even with “legal” ingredients because the idea is to help you get control of food cravings. Now that I’m done, I’m a little looser about having some dessert occasionally, but hubs and Keira are both allergic to dairy so I try to find desserts that the whole family can eat.
Last summer I discovered that coconut cream makes a fantastic replacement for whipped cream. Seriously good stuff. I put together a bowl of whatever fresh fruit I have on hand (usually berries because they have less sugar than most fruit) and top it with coconut cream. No added sugar or whipping required. Let’s call it a paleo sundae. This would be a perfect low sugar dessert for Valentine’s Day. You’re welcome!
The most important thing here is to plan ahead so you have a thoroughly chilled can of full-fat coconut milk ready to go. The higher the fat content the better. I keep a couple of cans in my fridge at all times, and when I use one I just grab a new can from the pantry and replace it.
After a day or so in the fridge, the coconut milk will separate and the cream will solidify on top to a firm consistency, similar to Greek yogurt. You can scoop it out just like whipping cream and generously top your fresh fruit. Sprinkle some toasted shredded coconut on top, and if you’re feeling extra decadent, add some grated dark chocolate too. Here I’ve garnished my paleo sundae with both and a small piece of pumpkin seed chocolate bark.
You can toast shredded coconut on the stove top or in the oven. I prefer the stove top method because I find I’m less likely to forget about it and burn the coconut. Simply toast the coconut in a skillet over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently until the coconut is golden brown.
If you prefer, you can also toast coconut in the oven. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees and spread the coconut in a thin layer on a baking pan. Toast for about 10-20 minutes until golden brown, stirring regularly. I like to make extra and store in an airtight container for later use.
I keep the leftover coconut milk in an airtight container in the fridge and use it within a week in whatever meal I’m making anyway. If you need some ideas, check out my favourite recipes that incorporate coconut milk: Coconut Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Butter Chicken, or Indian Style Onion and Garlic Chicken.
Check out more of my kid-friendly paleo/gluten-free recipes!
Paleo Sundae
Ingredients
- 1 can of full-fat coconut milk chilled 24 hours
- Fresh fruit - strawberries blueberries, raspberries, figs, grapes, cherries, etc.
- Shredded coconut
- Optional dark chocolate
Instructions
Toast shredded coconut
- On the stovetop, toast coconut in a skillet over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring frequently until golden brown.
- For oven toasting, preheat oven to 300 degree and spread shredded coconut in a thin layer on a baking pan. Toast for 10-20 minutes until golden brown, stirring regularly.
Assemble the sundae
- Wash and pit/cut/slice fruit as necessary into bite-size pieces.
- Scoop chilled coconut cream on top.
- Sprinkle toasted shredded coconut and optional grated dark chocolate on top.
I would love to eat this!
This looks so good. I’m going to try it!
I’d love to hear what you think if you end up trying it. π Enjoy!
This looks so yummy!! Can’t wait to try it, but guess I’ll have to wait til we go shopping, cuz I only have almond milk on hand……and that wouldn’t work…?
I’ve never had almond milk. Does it separate into cream on top?
Never has for me.
This looks amazing! I had no idea coconut milk would do this, I am picking up a few cans on my next grocery trip!
It is! Let me know how it works out for you.
Yum! I’m not even paleo, but I happen to like coconut cream – I’ll have to make this! Thanks for linking up at Nomday Monday!
Great dessert, Olivia. The coconut cream is a clever idea as a substitute for whipped cream. I also like allthe textures here with berries, cream, toasted coconut. Thank you for sharing.
Oh my! This looks too yummy! Drool!
hubby says thanks,he loved it lol
Tell him he’s welcome! π
This looks yummy! I’ve been interested in trying out some healthier and different diet recipes. Thanks for linking up with Delicious Dish Tuesday last week! I hope you’ll link up sgain tomorrow, link up opens at 12am est.
Eat Drink & Be Mary
This looks amazing! Both my parents are dairy free so I can’t wait to make this for our next family get together. Thanks for sharing it with Delicious Dish Tuesday π
It’s so nice to have a dessert that everyone can eat. Hope they enjoy it!
Looks delicious! pinning to try later.
Great idea! I love Coconut Milk and usually replace cream with it in recipes. If you buy the Grace brand Gold Coconut Milk you don’t need to chill it to get the cream… the entire can is always full of cream with maybe a cm of water at the bottom. I can eat it straight out of the can. Yum!
Thanks, I’ll look for that one next time I’m at the store! (I’ve been guilty of eating spoonfuls out the can before too!)
Thanks for the awesome, and healthy looking dessert! Can’t wait to try it!
We did a 30 day Paleo challenge at our Crossfit box and so far I am LOVING it, and I’m always appreciative of delicious paleo desserts!!!
Since i tried this recipe I have been using Almond milk all the time
This sounds delicious! My partner loves coconut and will enjoy this!
This Paleo sundae looks amazing and probably tastes amazingly good as well. Thank you for this recips
This looks yummy! I looooove coconut! π
This is going to be this week’s dessert idea…looks like it will win over the kids!! Coconut and Chocolate how can I not be a superhero serving that!
Toasted coconut! Now I absolutely have to put that on…everything! Coconut is amazing! Thanks for this recipe!
We love Coconut and berries so putting them together looks amazing will have to make this for the family !
I am planning another Whole30 soon and this will definitely be on my menu every night!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is not Whole30 approved….. it would be considered SWYPO
Mmmmm….I’ve been having berries, yogurt, and granola for breakfast in the morning and I’m starting to think I could eat berries all day!
this is tempting and look good to eat
Oh my gosh, this looks divine. I love coconut milk. Thank you!
This looks great for my son and I who have allergies! We try to stick to a strict Paleo diet.
Made this yesterday for a treat for the grandkids,they really enjoyed it.
This looks so good that I drooled a bit just reading the recipe! Yum!!
I would really like to try Coconut Cream. Also, I was at the grocery store and the ice cream type products that were healthy enough for my tastes also sort of seemed boring. This does not!
Awesome recipe! I always share these with my friends to show that you can eat some pretty tasty things on Paleo…as long as you don’t go overboard with sweets, of course!
This looks good. I tried the Whole 30 a couple of years ago and by the time it was over was so tired of coconut stuff, but it has been long enough that I probably would like this now.
Lol, yeah I know what you mean. We use a lot of coconut milk and oil too. π This is pretty yummy though!
I need to try coconut cream, my husband is doing crossfit & wants more paleo foods. Thanks!
I honestly don’t know if I could do this myself. I might be able to for a few days, but not an extended period of time.
Wow, this looks so good
This looks so yummy – thanks so much for sharing your recipe!
Saw your recipe for Paleo Sunday. When you say “chill,” does that mean to freeze or refrigerate?
Just in the fridge. I like to leave a can in there all the time so it’s ready to go whenever I want some coconut cream. π
I love coconut so any thing made from i will like
Hi Olivia, we have just finished a Whole30 and loved it. I lost 10 lbs and we really enjoyed trying new foods and eating foods familiar to us but at different times of the day! Such as poached salmon on a bed of geens and with a poached egg for breakfast! This dessert looks yummy! We have decided to eat as Paleo as we can for a while and see how we like it. This will be part of our new “diet”!
We’ve got a couple lactose sensitive tummies in our household. Thank you for this yummy recipe. I look forward to making it soon.
I made this last weekend and everyone loved it
This Paleo Fruit Sundae looks so scrumptious that I am going to try it. I am trying to live a healthier life and I think reciipes will help me. Thank you for this recipe.
Wow, hello! That looks yummmazing. (I just made that up. I kind of love it.)
Lol, I hope you’ll let me borrow your new word once in a while! Yummazing!
I still haven’t made you paleo fruit sundae but am buying cocoanut milk and using it in my recipes. I will make it eventually, and it will be healthy and delicious.