Recipe Created by Nermine Mitry-Mansour
There aren’t two identical tables on Thanksgiving dinner in the US. Each household has its unique story that is displayed through a number of signature recipes.
This year my family and I are celebrating our first Thanksgiving in Singapore. And it was a huge honor to team up with the U. S. Embassy in a video that features the tradition of Thanksgiving and to share my newest sweet addition to my Thanksgiving table: Pumpkin-Coconut Pudding.

Pumpkin-Coconut Pudding & Kaya Sauce
Serves 8-10
INGREDIENTS
The Pumpkin Layer
- I Kg pumpkin (seeded and cubed)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 3/4 to 1 cup water
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon powder
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grounded nutmeg
- 1 medium orange, zested
- a pinch of sea salt
- 1/2 cup toasted walnut (optional)
The Coconut Pudding Layer
- 4 to 5 cups coconut cream
- 2 whole cinnamon stick
- 5 allspice berries
- 5 whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornflour (diluted in 1/4 cup of water)
Kaya Sauce
- One cup Kaya Jam (coconut Jam)
- 1/2 cup water
- A splash (almost 2 teaspoons bourbon (optional)
DIRECTIONS
-
Cook the pumpkin. In a heavy bottom pan, add and mix well the cubed and seeded pumpkin, the sugar, the spices, the coconut oil, the orange zest, and water. Cook on low-medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the pumpkin cubes are fork-tender but still holding their shape. Set the pumpkin aside until the coconut pudding is ready.
- Infuse the coconut cream. Put the whole spices in an infuser bag or simply wrap a piece of cheesecloth around the spices and tie it with a kitchen string to form an infuser bag. Drop the infuser bag in the simmering coconut cream and turn off the heat. Let the spices impart their flavors for 30 minutes at least. Remove the infuser bag when you are satisfied with the intensity of spices’notes.
- Make the coconut pudding. Add the sugar and diluted cornflour to the infused coconut cream. On a low heat, keep stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved and the pudding reaches the consistency of a white sauce — the pudding should cover in a thick layer the back of a spoon. Turn off the heat.
- Assemble the dish. In a rectangular or square heat resistance dish, add first the pumpkin layer and sprinkle evenly the walnut (optional). On top of the cooked pumpkin cubes, add the pudding layer. Even it out with a spatula or the back of a spoon. Don’t mix up the two layers.
- Bake the Dish. In a preheated oven at 375 F, pop the pumpkin dish for 20 to 30 minutes or until the pumpkin is bubbling and the cream layer is set.
- Let the dish come to room temperature. Put in the fridge for a whole day or overnight.
- For decoration, dust it with some cinnamon powder and serve it with the Kaya sauce.
Kaya Jam Sauce
- Mix together 1 cup Kaya jam and 1/2 cup water.
- On low heat, stir the water and Kaya mix for 3-5 minutes, or until you reach a sauce consistency that is silky smooth and lumps-free.
- Add a splash of bourbon. (this step is optional)
- Let it come to room temperature before serving.
NOTES
- I strongly recommend using coconut cream in a box rather than a canned one. The difference in the freshness and taste is obvious.
- Pumpkin-Coconut Pudding is best served cold.