Fruit Cocktail with Almond Jelly is the easiest dessert you will ever make. It can also be a refreshing sweet snack that is great during a hot summer day. I’m not sure who came up with this dish but my mom used to make it all the the time when we were younger. This recipe uses canned fruit which is also used in another more popular Vietnamese dessert Che Thai. I just love how Vietnamese people can turn a can of fruit into something exotic and delightful.
The key ingredient in my Fruit Cocktail is a package of Agar Dessert mix. This dessert mix is very similar to how you would make Jello which uses gelatin. Agar is used a lot in asian cuisine. It is used just like gelatin except it is completely vegetarian.
Ingredients
Agar Dessert Mix Almond Flavor: This is a prepackaged mix similar to Jello. You just mix with boiling water and sugar and it turns into the most delicious jelly. This is the brand that I use and you can find it in most asian grocery stores. You can pour the mixture into decorative molds and just eat the jelly by itself.
Sugar: The sugar is optional but I like to add 2 TB’s to add a touch of sweetness to the jelly.
Canned Fruit: The recipe calls for 1 can of fruit but add more if you like. Any canned fruit will do. I’ve used Tropical mix, Lychee, Longon, Mandarin Oranges, Rambutan, etc.
Maraschino Cherry: Cherries and Almonds are a classic flavor combination. If you don’t have maraschino cherries it will be fine but I highly recommend it.
Instructions to make Fruit Cocktail with Almond Jelly
Make the Agar Jelly mixture
To a pot, add the mixture from the Agar Jelly package, 3 cups water, and 2 TB of sugar. Bring the mixture to a full boil. Stir constantly so the mixture doesn’t burn at the bottom of the pot.
Once the mixture has boiled, pour into a shallow container. Set aside to firm up.
In the picture below, I doubled the recipe and poured into a 9×13 dish.
Once the mixture cools (about 2-3 hours), cut into small cubes.
Add your canned fruit of choice and Maraschino Cherries to the Almond jelly and stir gently.
Keep the Fruit Cocktail in the fridge until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Almond Jelly Fruit Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 Package Agar Dessert Mix Almond Flavor
- 3 Cups Water
- 1 TB Sugar
- 1 Can Fruit
- 10-15 Maraschino Cherries
Instructions
- Mix contents of this packet with water. Bring to full boil. Stir Constantly.
- Pour into a shallow container. Let cool until set.
- Cut the agar into bite sized cubes.
- Place into serving bowl with canned fruit and cherries. Stir gently.
- Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.
