Caramelized Maple Pineapple with Coconut Ice Cream
Wok-seared pineapple glazed with Canadian maple syrup and lemongrass, served warm over crushed ginger biscuits with citrus segments and coconut ice cream. Topped with edible gold leaf and flowers for an elegant, aromatic dessert with contrasting textures.
Ingredients
- 1 small pineapple, peeled, cored, sliced into ⅓" rounds, cut into fan-shaped thirds
- 1 pinch ground cinnamon
- 3 tbsp Canadian maple syrup, good-qualityother maple syrup1:1sweetener
flavor differs by region
- ½ lemongrass stick null, finely grated
- 8 ginger biscuitsdigestive biscuits1:1base_crumb
loses ginger spice
- 1 large pink grapefruit or pink pomelo, cut into segments
- 1 cups coconut ice creamvanilla ice cream1:1dairy
3
- edible gold leaf, to garnishsilver leaf1:1garnish
visual only
- edible flowers(optional)
Instructions
- 1
Pulse ginger biscuits in a food processor until crumbled, or place in a food bag and bash with a rolling pin.
- 2
Heat a wok over medium heat. Add pineapple pieces, cinnamon, and maple syrup. Toss for 2-3 minutes until caramelized and tender.
- 3
Stir in lemongrass and keep warm over very low heat.
- 4
Divide ginger biscuit crumbs equally among four bowls.
- 5
Arrange pineapple and grapefruit or pomelo segments on top of crumbs.
- 6
Add one scoop of coconut ice cream to each bowl.
- 7
Garnish with edible gold leaf and edible flowers if using.
Tips
Grate the lemongrass finely to distribute its fragrance evenly without large fibrous pieces.
Add lemongrass only at the end to preserve its delicate flavor from overcooking.
Use high-quality coconut ice cream or frozen yogurt as it is a key component.
Good to Know
Cooled caramelized pineapple keeps refrigerated 1-2 days. Assemble bowls immediately before serving.
Prepare pineapple cuts, crumb biscuits, and segment citrus up to 4 hours ahead. Caramelize pineapple no more than 30 minutes before serving.
Serve immediately while pineapple is still warm and ice cream cold for temperature contrast.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip adding lemongrass at the end to avoid overcooking its delicate aromatics.
Do not overcook pineapple beyond 2-3 minutes to avoid mushy texture.
Do not assemble bowls until ready to serve to prevent biscuit crumbs from softening.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
visual only
flavor differs by region