Rainbow Jelly Cake with Coconut (Printable)

Vibrant agar-agar layers in rainbow hues with silky coconut cream — dairy-free, gluten-free.

# What You'll Need:

→ Agar-Agar Jelly Layers

01 - 2 tablespoons agar-agar powder (about 16 g)
02 - 900 ml water
03 - 200 g granulated sugar
04 - Food colorings: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple
05 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

→ Coconut Cream Layer

06 - 400 ml coconut cream
07 - 200 ml water
08 - 2 tablespoons agar-agar powder (about 16 g)
09 - 100 g granulated sugar
10 - Pinch of salt

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a saucepan, combine 2 tablespoons agar-agar powder with 900 ml water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until agar-agar dissolves completely (about 3 minutes). Add 200 g sugar and vanilla extract, stirring until dissolved.
02 - Remove from heat and divide the clear agar mixture into 6 bowls. Add a few drops of each food coloring to create red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.
03 - Pour the red layer into a rectangular or round mold (about 20 cm diameter). Let it cool for 5–8 minutes, until just set but not too firm. Repeat with orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple, allowing each layer to set before adding the next.
04 - In a clean saucepan, mix 2 tablespoons agar-agar powder with 200 ml water and 400 ml coconut cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring well. Add 100 g sugar and pinch of salt, stir until dissolved.
05 - Once the last jelly color has set, gently pour the warm coconut cream mixture over the rainbow layers. Allow to cool to room temperature.
06 - Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until completely firm. Gently loosen edges and invert onto a serving plate.
07 - Cut into neat slices or cubes. Serve cold.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • This jelly cake is the happiest centerpiece to bring to summer gatherings, and people will inevitably ask for your secret.
  • It’s dairy-free, gluten-free, bright as a rainbow, and light enough that second helpings never feel too much.
02 -
  • If your agar-agar doesn’t fully dissolve, you’ll end up with gritty bits in the jelly—a mistake I made once by rushing, so keep stirring and simmering till absolutely clear.
  • Let each layer just barely set before adding the next, or you’ll risk colors bleeding together instead of layering distinctly.
03 -
  • Dissolve agar-agar in cold liquid first before heating to ensure a silky, lump-free result.
  • Piping the colored layers with a measuring cup or squeeze bottle minimizes drips down the sides—makes each rainbow stripe truly distinct.
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