Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Warm and thicken the custard
- Heat the full-fat coconut milk, heavy cream, and granulated sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely, about 2–3 minutes, stirring until it looks smooth and glossy.
- Whisk the warm coconut mixture slowly into the egg yolks in a steady stream, so the yolks thicken without scrambling, about 1–2 minutes, with a light yellow custard beginning to form.
- Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook while stirring constantly until it reaches 175°F, about 6–8 minutes, until the custard coats the back of a spoon and a finger trace leaves a clear line.
- Strain the custard into a clean container and stir in the coconut extract, vanilla extract, and salt until evenly combined, about 1 minute, with no streaks visible.
Chill, churn, and freeze
- Cool completely to room temperature, then refrigerate at least 4 hours until very cold, about 4–6 hours, until it’s set and spoonable like a thick cream.
- Churn in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it thickens to soft-serve consistency, then add the finely diced fresh pineapple and toasted shredded coconut in the last 5 minutes, so pineapple chunks and coconut flakes distribute throughout.
- Transfer to a container and freeze until scoopable, about 2–4 hours, until the texture holds shape with minimal melting at the edges.
Notes
Pro tip: fully dissolve the sugar first, then cook only until 175°F—overheating can cause a grainy texture. Store covered in the freezer for up to 2 weeks; thaw in the fridge 10–15 minutes for easiest scooping. Freezing yes (best within 2 weeks). For a dairy-light swap, replace heavy cream with full-fat coconut cream, but the churn will be slightly softer and less rich.
