Almond Jelly

Almond jelly (jello) or almond tofu is a popular Asian dessert among Chinese, especially in Asia and Hong Kong. This almond jelly recipe is a classic Cantonese dessert similar to red bean ice drink, grass jelly drink, sweet mung bean soup, sweet red bean soup, mango sago pomelo, black sesame soup, tofu pudding, grass jelly, lychee slush, and taro sago. Let's learn how to make this refreshing almond jelly for your treat or dessert. It features only a few simple ingredients, accompanied by step-by-step photos and a video tutorial.  

Love Asian desserts? Check out these honeydew popsicles, red bean paste sticky rice cakes, red bean mochi, Asian shaved ice, Hawaiian shaved ice, strawberry pie, taro ice cream, ginger milk pudding, and white rabbit candy ice cream recipes.

What is almond jelly or almond tofu (杏仁豆腐)?

Almond jelly, also known as almond jello, is a dessert that originated in East Asia, particularly in Chinese cuisine. Additionally, almond jello is also known as almond tofu or annin tofu because it's soft and resembles tofu. In Cantonese, we call it heng yan tau hu (杏仁豆腐) or xing ren dou fu in Mandarin Chinese.

Traditionally, almond tofu is made of apricot kernel milk. But it often translates to almond milk. It is a translucent, gelatinous dessert made from almond extract, sugar, and either agar-agar or gelatin. Almond jello usually uses agar-agar. However, some people like to use gelatin. Besides, almond tofu can be made from scratch or using an instant mix. 

In this almond jelly recipe, I will show you the easy way to make this Cantonese almond jelly dessert. Then, add canned fruit cocktail or lychee. However, it can serve on its own or with various accompaniments such as fresh fruits, syrup, or condensed milk, like grass jelly. 

Often, the dessert is served cold, and the almond tofu or almond jelly is usually cut into cubes. It has a smooth and slightly firm texture. Also, almond jelly is known for its subtle almond flavor. People love it because it's a refreshing and sweet treat. 

There are different variations of almond jelly or almond tofu across Asian cuisines. But this Chinese almond jelly recipe is a popular dessert in dim sum restaurants and other Chinese dining establishments.

What does almond jelly taste like?

Almond jello has a light, smooth, and mildly sweet flavor with a distinct nutty almond aroma. The taste is delicate, much milder, and more refreshing. The texture is soft, silky, and slightly bouncy. It’s delicious when paired with canned fruit cocktail or fruits, making it a cool and refreshing dessert, especially in summer.

Are there almonds in almond jelly? 

Despite the name, traditional almond jello doesn't typically contain actual almonds. It is made of apricot kernel milk. Later on, people began using cow's milk and evaporated milk. The almond flavor in almond jello usually comes from almond extract rather than almonds themselves. However, in this almond jelly recipe, I want to match the name of the dessert. Therefore, I used almond milk instead of regular cow milk in this recipe.

Is almond jello white and made of dairy?

Yes. Generally, almond tofu is white or off-white, depending on the type of milk and ingredients used. Many people prefer to use dairy products, such as regular cow's milk or evaporated milk. But I like to use almond milk in this recipe. 

Is almond jelly vegetarian or vegan?

It depends on the specific recipe. Most people prefer to use cow's milk or evaporated milk to make almond tofu. Additionally, some individuals use gelatin, which is derived from animal collagen. However, in this almond jello recipe, I used almond milk and agar-agar, which are plant-based. 

Easy version of almond tofu: 

In this almond jelly recipe, I used 4 simple ingredients to make almond tofu: almond milk, agar-agar, sugar, and pure almond extract. However, some people like to use regular cow milk, evaporated milk, and gelatin. If you use cow milk, the almond tofu will be whiter. It depends on your preferences to use what kind of milk.

I like to use almond milk because it matches the name of the dessert, and it’s a non-dairy option. Although the color may not be completely white like snow, it’s a little off white. Overall, the taste and color are pretty good. Visually, it complements the bright colors of the canned fruit mix well. 

Why do you prefer using agar-agar rather than gelatin?

I prefer to use agar-agar for this almond jello recipe because I want to keep this dessert traditional with the agar texture. For a smoother and jellier texture, you can use gelatin. But you need to adjust the amount of gelatin. You can check out this tofu pudding recipe to see the ratio of gelatin to liquid. For a firmer texture, you can add more gelatin. 

What fruit goes on almond jello?

Traditional Cantonese Chinese almond jelly uses canned fruit cocktail or a mix. However, you can serve it as is or with various fresh fruits, such as lychee, or with syrup or condensed milk, like grass jelly. 

Almond jello from scratch vs. almond jello instant packet:

Making almond jello from scratch is not that hard or complicated. Additionally, it enables you to control the ingredients and customize the sweetness and flavor to your taste. Besides, you can adjust the texture and thickness by varying the amount of agar-agar or gelatin.

On the other hand, instant packet almond jello is convenient and straightforward. But, it is not easy to find almond jello instant packets in regular grocery stores in the United States. Typically, you can find them at Asian stores.

Cooking tips for how to make almond jelly or almond tofu:

• Mix the almond milk, sugar, pure almond extract, and agar in a pot well. Then, turn on a medium-sized fire and heat until it comes to a boil.
• Pour the mixture with the remaining almond milk. Remember to mix it very well. It is crucial.
• Let it cool down before refrigerating it.
• The best is to chill it before eating. 
• You can use canned fruit or fresh fruit. If you use fresh fruit, you may need to add syrup or sweetness according to your taste. 

FAQs:

Instructions for how to make almond jelly dessert recipe:

1. Pour 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk into a container and set it aside.

2. After that, pour 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk, 4 tablespoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon of agar agar powder, and 1 teaspoon of pure almond extract into a pot. Then, mix it very well. Turn the heat to medium-low, continue stirring, and cook until it starts to bubble slightly.

3. Next, pour the mixture into the container with 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk from step 1. And, mix and stir it very well. Let it cool down and refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours.

4. After, cut the almond jello into cubes.

5. Place some almond jelly in a bowl and add a mixture of canned fruits.

Enjoy this delicious and straightforward Cantonese almond jelly recipe! Also, check out these chocolate strawberries, steamed meatballs, crispy noodles, strawberry muffins, sugar donuts, hot chocolate balls, pan-fried buns, tom yum kung, and mango sticky rice recipes.

You May Also Like These Recipes:

• TARO BUN
• TANG YUAN
• MA YI SHANG SHU
• SWEET AND SOUR PORK

Subscribe to Oh My Food Recipes to get our new recipes delivered straight to your inbox! Follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for all the latest updates.