Sri Lankan Dinner Series: Watalappan Dessert Recipe

Inspired From Travels To: Sri Lanka

Desserts like steamed caramel custard can be found across the globe. Watalappan is Sri Lanka’s version (it is believed to have Malay origins though). It’s a rich steamed egg custard made with jaggery, coconut milk, cardamom and topped with some cashew nuts to add texture. Check out other recipes exclusively for Voyageur Chic by Chef Anthony at The Runcible Spoon here.

Sri Lankan Dinner Series: Watalappan

 

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Prep time

40 mins

Cook time

50 mins

Total time

1 hour 30 mins

 

Inspired from travels to: Sri Lanka

Recipe type: Dessert

Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 6 eggs
• 250gms palm jaggery (cane sugar)- this can be replaced with any other type available
• 2 cups coconut milk
• 70 gms brown sugar
• 1 tsp cardamom powder
• 50gms chopped cashew nuts
• 1 vanilla pod
• ½ cup water

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven at 120 C.
2. Pour water into a pot and add jaggery on low heat.
3. Once the jaggery has completely melted, remove from theat and allow it to cool.
4. Beat the eggs and gradually add the melted jaggery and coconut to it.
5. Add and mix the cardamom powder, beans from the vanilla pod and brown sugar.
6. Pour the mixture in a baking tray and place this baking tray in another tray filled with water.
7. Place the baking tray in the oven and bake for 50-minutes.
8. You will know it’s done when it’s wobbly in the centre.
9. Let it cool. It can also be refrigerated.
10. Sprinkle with chopped cashew nuts and serve with vanilla ice-cream. This dessert can be served hot or cold.

3.5.3226

Recipe Courtesy: Chef Anthony D’Costa
Image Courtesy: Serious Eats

Bon Appetit!

Feel free to ask me any questions about the recipe or method and post pictures of how your watalappan turned out in the comments below. Also, please use the hashtag #VCrecipes or tag @VoyageurChic on Instagram when you make a recipe from this site for a chance to be featured.