Thai desserts offer a delightful mix of flavors and textures. They often use ingredients like sticky rice, coconut milk, and fresh fruits.

These treats showcase Thailand’s rich culinary traditions.

You’ll find many tasty options to try when exploring Thai sweets. Some are easy to make at home, while others are best enjoyed from street vendors or restaurants in Thailand.

From cool ice creams to warm sticky rice dishes, Thai desserts can satisfy any sweet tooth.

1. Mango Sticky Rice

Mango sticky rice is a beloved Thai dessert that combines sweet and creamy flavors. You’ll find it’s made with glutinous rice, ripe mango slices, and a rich coconut sauce.

The sticky rice is steamed until soft and chewy. It’s then soaked in sweetened coconut milk, giving it a delightful taste and texture.

Fresh, juicy mango is sliced and served alongside the rice. The fruit’s natural sweetness complements the coconut flavors perfectly.

A drizzle of extra coconut sauce tops off this simple yet satisfying treat. You can often find mango sticky rice at Thai restaurants or street food stalls.

Making this dessert at home is easier than you might think. With just a few ingredients, you can recreate this popular Thai sweet in your own kitchen.

2. Khanom Buang (Thai Crepes)

Khanom Buang is a popular Thai dessert that resembles crispy pancakes. These delightful treats have a thin, crunchy shell filled with sweet coconut cream.

You’ll often find Khanom Buang sold by street vendors in Thailand. The crepes are made on a hot griddle, giving them their signature golden-brown color and crispy texture.

The filling usually includes shredded coconut mixed with sugar. Some versions add egg yolk threads or other toppings for extra flavor and visual appeal.

Khanom Buang is a great snack or light dessert. You can enjoy it while exploring Bangkok’s bustling streets or at local festivals. Its crispy shell and sweet filling make it a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

3. Tub Tim Krob (Water Chestnuts in Coconut Syrup)

Tub Tim Krob is a refreshing Thai dessert that translates to “crispy rubies.” It features crunchy water chestnuts coated in tapioca starch, giving them a ruby-like appearance.

The water chestnuts are typically dyed red using food coloring or beet juice. They’re then served in a sweet coconut milk syrup over crushed ice.

You’ll love the mix of textures in this dessert. The chewy, jelly-like coating contrasts nicely with the crisp water chestnut inside. The cool coconut milk adds a creamy touch.

Tub Tim Krob often includes pandan leaves for extra flavor. Some versions also add a hint of rose water or orange blossom water to the syrup.

4. Khao Niew Ma Muang (Mango and Sticky Rice)

Khao Niew Ma Muang is a beloved Thai dessert that combines sweet sticky rice with ripe mango. You’ll love this simple yet delicious treat.

To make it, you need glutinous rice, coconut milk, sugar, salt, and ripe mangoes. Soak the rice before steaming it to get the right texture.

Mix coconut milk, sugar, and salt to create a sweet sauce. Pour this over the cooked rice and let it soak in.

Serve the sticky rice warm or at room temperature with slices of juicy mango on top. Some people like to add toasted sesame seeds or mung beans for extra crunch.

This dessert is popular both as street food in Thailand and in Thai restaurants around the world. You can enjoy it year-round, but it’s especially good during mango season.

5. Khanom Chan (Layered Dessert)

Khanom Chan is a beautiful Thai layered dessert that will catch your eye. It’s made with coconut milk, rice flour, and tapioca starch. The dessert often has white and green layers, with the green color coming from pandan leaves.

You’ll love the soft, jelly-like texture of Khanom Chan. It melts in your mouth with a sweet, coconutty flavor. The jasmine scent adds a nice touch.

Making Khanom Chan takes time and skill. Each layer is steamed separately before the next is added. You can find this treat at Thai markets or try making it at home for a fun challenge.

6. Ruam Mit (Mixed Thai Dessert Soup)

Ruam Mit is a popular Thai dessert soup that combines various sweet treats in coconut milk. The name means “get together friends” in Thai, reflecting its mix of ingredients.

You’ll find chewy tapioca pearls, colorful jellies, and fruit pieces floating in creamy coconut milk.

Common additions include sweet potato, corn, red beans, and jackfruit.

The dessert is often served chilled, making it refreshing on hot days. You can customize Ruam Mit with your favorite mix-ins.

To make it at home, simply combine cooked tapioca pearls, jellies, and fruit with sweetened coconut milk. Serve over crushed ice for an extra cool treat.

7. Sang Kaya Fak Thong (Pumpkin Custard)

Sang Kaya Fak Thong is a sweet Thai dessert that combines pumpkin and creamy custard. It’s made by filling a small kabocha squash with a mixture of coconut milk, eggs, and sugar.

To make this treat, you’ll need to hollow out the squash and remove the seeds. Then, mix the custard ingredients until smooth. Pour the mixture into the pumpkin and steam it until set.

The result is a delightful contrast of textures – soft, creamy custard inside a tender pumpkin shell. The natural sweetness of the squash complements the rich coconut flavor of the custard.

You can enjoy Sang Kaya Fak Thong warm or chilled. It’s often served in slices, showcasing the beautiful layers of orange pumpkin and golden custard.

8. Bua Loy (Sticky Rice Balls in Coconut Milk)

Bua Loy is a sweet Thai dessert that will satisfy your craving for something creamy and chewy. It features small, round rice balls swimming in a warm coconut milk soup.

To make the rice balls, you mix glutinous rice flour with water and knead it into a smooth dough. You can add mashed taro, pumpkin, or colorful juices for variety.

The coconut milk soup combines thick and thin coconut milk, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Some recipes include pandan leaf for extra flavor.

To serve, you cook the rice balls in boiling water until they float. Then you scoop them into bowls of the sweet coconut milk. The soft, chewy texture of the rice balls pairs perfectly with the rich, creamy soup.

9. Khanom Krok (Coconut Rice Pancakes)

Khanom krok are small, round Thai coconut pancakes. You’ll love their crispy edges and soft, creamy centers.

These sweet treats are made with rice flour and coconut milk. They’re cooked in a special pan with small round molds.

You can enjoy khanom krok plain or with toppings. Popular choices include corn, green onions, or taro. Some people like them savory too.

To make khanom krok, you’ll mix rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar. Then you’ll cook the batter in the special pan until golden brown.

10. Foy Thong (Golden Threads)

Foy Thong is a dazzling Thai dessert that will catch your eye. It’s made of thin, golden strands that look like delicate threads.

To make Foy Thong, egg yolks are drizzled into hot sugar syrup. This creates long, sweet golden strings. The name “Foy Thong” means “golden thread” in Thai.

You’ll often see this dessert at weddings and special events. It’s believed to bring good luck and symbolize long life. The threads are usually left uncut when served at ceremonies.

Foy Thong has a rich history dating back to the 17th century. It’s a beloved part of Thai culinary tradition that continues to delight dessert lovers today.

11. Khanom Mo Kaeng (Thai Custard Cake)

Khanom Mo Kaeng is a popular Thai dessert that combines the richness of custard with a cake-like texture. You’ll find it’s made with simple ingredients like coconut milk, eggs, and sugar.

This sweet treat is often steamed in small cups, creating individual servings perfect for sharing. The result is a creamy, velvety dessert that melts in your mouth.

You can enjoy Khanom Mo Kaeng in different flavors. Some versions include mung beans for added texture, while others use taro or pumpkin for a unique taste.

When you try this dessert, you’ll notice its smooth consistency and balanced sweetness. It’s a comforting treat that showcases the delightful simplicity of Thai desserts.

12. Kanom Tarn (Palm Sugar Cupcakes)

Kanom tarn is a sweet Thai treat made with toddy palm fruit. You’ll love its spongy texture and unique flavor.

These cupcakes blend coconut milk, rice flour, and palm sugar. The batter is fermented to create tiny air bubbles, making the cakes light and fluffy.

To make kanom tarn, cooks pour the mixture into small containers made from banana leaves. They sprinkle grated coconut on top before steaming.

The result is a moist, golden-yellow cake with a slightly sweet taste. Palm fruit gives it a rich aroma and loads of vitamins A and C.

You can find kanom tarn at Thai markets and street food stalls. Try it for a tasty glimpse into traditional Thai desserts.

13. Look Choop (Sweet Bean Miniatures)

Look Choop is a charming Thai dessert that catches the eye with its tiny fruit-shaped creations. These sweet treats are made from mung beans, coconut milk, and sugar.

The ingredients are blended into a smooth paste and shaped into miniature fruits or vegetables. Each piece is then carefully painted with food coloring to resemble its real-life counterpart.

You’ll find Look Choop in various shapes like grapes, oranges, or chili peppers. The dessert offers a soft, slightly chewy texture with a mild sweetness. It’s a fun and unique way to enjoy Thai sweets.

Look Choop’s origins trace back to ancient Siam’s royal palaces, where it was prized for its attractive appearance and delicate flavors.

14. Thapthim Krop (Red Rubies)

Thapthim krop is a refreshing Thai dessert that will delight your taste buds. The name means “crunchy rubies” in Thai, referring to the bright red water chestnut pieces.

To make this treat, you coat water chestnuts in red food coloring and tapioca flour. After cooking, they take on a translucent, jewel-like appearance.

The red rubies are served in a bowl with sweet coconut milk and crushed ice. Some versions add jackfruit or other fruits for extra flavor and texture.

This dessert offers a mix of chewy, crunchy, and creamy textures. The coconut milk provides a cool, sweet contrast to the water chestnuts. Thapthim krop is perfect for hot days when you want something light and refreshing.

15. Khao Tom Mud (Sticky Rice and Banana)

Khao tom mud is a tasty Thai dessert you’ll love. It combines sticky rice, coconut milk, and sweet bananas.

To make it, soak glutinous rice and black beans. Then fry the rice with coconut milk, salt, and sugar.

Wrap the mixture with banana slices in banana leaves. Steam until cooked through.

You can find different versions of this treat. Some use taro, sweet potato, black sesame seeds, or peanuts instead of banana.

Khao tom mud is perfect as a snack or dessert. It shows off Thailand’s skill in using local ingredients in creative ways.

16. Khanom Buang Yuan (Thai Crispy Pancakes)

Khanom Buang Yuan are tasty Thai crispy pancakes you’ll love. These thin, crispy treats are a popular street food in Thailand.

The pancakes are made from a rice flour batter that’s cooked on a hot griddle. This creates a delicate shell with crispy edges and a soft center.

You can enjoy these pancakes with both sweet and savory fillings. Common toppings include shredded coconut, golden threads, and meringue.

You’ll find Khanom Buang Yuan at many street food stalls and markets in Thailand. They’re a great snack to try when you’re exploring Thai cuisine.

17. Woon Gati (Coconut Jelly)

Woon Gati is a popular Thai dessert that will satisfy your sweet tooth. This coconut jelly treat is made with two layers of goodness.

The bottom layer features a pandan-flavored jelly. Pandan gives the dessert a unique grassy sweetness and a light green color.

On top, you’ll find a creamy coconut milk jelly. This layer often includes bits of young coconut for extra texture. The combination of pandan and coconut creates a delightful flavor contrast.

To make Woon Gati, you’ll need agar agar or gelatin powder to create the jelly-like texture. Sugar and salt are added to balance the flavors. The dessert is typically chilled before serving, making it a refreshing treat on hot days.

18. Misostachio Delight

Misostachio Delight is a unique Thai dessert that blends savory and sweet flavors. It combines the nutty taste of pistachios with the umami-rich miso paste.

The dessert features a creamy pistachio base, infused with a hint of white miso. This creates a complex flavor profile that’s both intriguing and satisfying.

You’ll find the texture smooth and velvety, with bits of crushed pistachios adding a pleasant crunch. The dessert is often served chilled, making it perfect for hot Thai days.

Try Misostachio Delight for a modern twist on traditional Thai sweets. Its fusion of flavors offers a unique culinary experience you won’t soon forget.

19. Khanom Ping (Thai Cookies)

Khanom Ping are delightful Thai cookies that will satisfy your sweet tooth. These light and crispy treats are made with simple ingredients like tapioca flour, coconut milk, sugar, and egg yolk.

You’ll love the unique texture of these cookies – they’re airy and melt in your mouth. Khanom Ping have a subtle coconut flavor that’s not too overpowering.

To make them, you mix the ingredients into a dough and shape it into small balls. Then you bake them until golden brown.

Some bakers let the cookies cool in a warm oven to achieve the perfect crispness.

You can find Khanom Ping in Thai sweet shops or try making them at home for a tasty snack. They pair well with tea or coffee and make a great gift for friends and family.

20. Sarim (Sweet Noodle)

Sarim is a refreshing Thai dessert that will delight your taste buds. It features colorful, thin noodles made from mung bean flour swimming in sweet coconut milk.

You’ll often see the noodles in shades of pink and green. They’re served cold with crushed ice on top, making it perfect for hot days.

To make sarim, cooks press cooked mung bean flour dough through tiny holes into cool water. This creates the delicate noodles.

The dish is quite old, mentioned in a poem by King Rama II from the early 1800s. You can find it sold by street vendors and in sweet shops across Thailand.

Try sarim for a unique dessert experience. Its mix of textures and flavors offers a tasty glimpse into Thai culinary traditions.

21. Foi Tong (Sweet Egg Floss)

Foi tong is a golden Thai dessert made from egg yolks and sugar syrup. You’ll find these delicate threads served at special occasions like weddings and New Year celebrations.

To make foi tong, you drizzle beaten egg yolks through a small funnel into hot sugar syrup. This creates long, sweet strands that resemble golden threads.

The syrup often contains pandan leaves for extra flavor. Duck eggs are commonly used for their rich yolks, but chicken eggs work too.

Foi tong’s name means “golden threads” in Thai. Its golden color is seen as lucky and prosperous. You can enjoy this sweet treat on its own or as part of other desserts.

22. Sago Soup with Corn

Sago soup with corn is a sweet Thai dessert that combines chewy sago pearls with juicy corn kernels. You’ll love the contrast of textures in this simple treat.

To make it, you cook sago pearls until they turn clear. Then you mix them with sweet corn and a sugary syrup.

The dessert is often served chilled with coconut milk on top. This adds richness and a creamy flavor that complements the sago and corn.

You can find this refreshing dessert at many Thai street food stalls and restaurants. It’s especially popular on hot days as a cooling snack.

Try making sago soup with corn at home for an easy Thai dessert. With just a few ingredients, you can create this tasty treat in your own kitchen.

The Art of Thai Dessert Preparation

Thai dessert preparation blends time-honored techniques with creative modern twists. You’ll find a mix of traditional methods passed down through generations and newer approaches that put fresh spins on classic treats.

Traditional Techniques

To make authentic Thai desserts, you’ll need to master a few key techniques.

Steaming is crucial for many recipes, like sticky rice desserts. You’ll often wrap ingredients in banana leaves before steaming to add flavor and keep everything moist.

Coconut milk features heavily in Thai sweets. You’ll learn to extract fresh coconut milk by hand for the best taste.

Pounding ingredients in a mortar and pestle is another common method. This helps blend flavors and create smooth textures.

Many Thai desserts use rice flour or glutinous rice as a base. You’ll become skilled at cooking these just right to achieve the perfect chewy consistency.

Careful control of heat and timing is essential when working with delicate ingredients like egg yolks in desserts like thong yip.

Modern Twists

Today’s Thai dessert makers are putting new spins on classic recipes.

You might find traditional treats reimagined with unexpected flavors like matcha or chocolate. Some chefs are creating fusion desserts that blend Thai and Western elements.

Presentation is getting more creative too. Instead of simple bowls, you could see intricate plating with edible flowers or artistic designs.

Healthier versions of Thai sweets are becoming popular, using less sugar or substituting ingredients like coconut sugar.

New cooking tools are changing preparation methods. You might use an ice cream maker to create Thai-inspired frozen treats or a food processor to speed up traditionally time-consuming tasks.

Some cooks are experimenting with molecular gastronomy techniques to give classic Thai desserts surprising new textures and forms.

Key Ingredients in Thai Desserts

Thai desserts use special ingredients that give them unique flavors and textures. Two of the most important are coconut milk and glutinous rice.

Coconut Milk

Coconut milk adds richness and creaminess to Thai desserts. It’s made by squeezing grated coconut flesh with water.

The milk gives a sweet, nutty taste to treats like sticky rice and Thai custards. You’ll find it in both hot and cold desserts.

Coconut milk also helps balance other flavors. It softens the taste of fruits and spices. In some recipes, it replaces dairy milk or cream.

This makes many Thai sweets naturally dairy-free.

You can buy canned coconut milk, but fresh is best. To use it, shake the can well before opening. For a lighter version, try coconut water instead.

Glutinous Rice

Glutinous rice, also called sticky rice, is a key part of many Thai desserts. Despite its name, it doesn’t contain gluten.

The rice gets sticky when cooked, perfect for shaping into treats. You’ll often see glutinous rice in sweets like mango sticky rice.

It soaks up flavors well, making it great with coconut milk and fruit. The chewy texture adds interest to puddings and dumplings.

To use glutinous rice, soak it for several hours before cooking. This helps it become soft and sticky.

You can steam it or cook it in coconut milk for extra flavor. The cooked rice works in both hot and cold desserts.