Rainbow Jelly Cake Agar-Agar Coconut (Printable Version)

Multi-layer agar-agar jelly in rainbow colors finished with silky coconut cream — dairy- and gluten-free.

# What You'll Need:

→ Agar-Agar Jelly Layers

01 - 2 tablespoons agar-agar powder
02 - 3 3/4 cups water
03 - 1 cup granulated sugar
04 - Food coloring: red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple, as needed
05 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

→ Coconut Cream Layer

06 - 1 2/3 cups canned coconut cream
07 - 6 3/4 fluid ounces water
08 - 2 tablespoons agar-agar powder
09 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
10 - Pinch of salt

# Directions:

01 - Combine 2 tablespoons agar-agar powder with 3 3/4 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until the agar-agar fully dissolves, about 3 minutes. Add 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract if using; stir until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat.
02 - Divide the hot clear agar mixture evenly into six heat-proof bowls. Add a few drops of each food coloring to the separate bowls to create red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple mixtures; stir to combine.
03 - Pour the red layer into an 8-inch (about 20 cm) rectangular or round mold. Let it cool at room temperature for 5–8 minutes until just set but still slightly tacky. Repeat sequentially with the orange, yellow, green, blue and purple layers, allowing each layer to reach the same just-set stage before adding the next to ensure clean strata.
04 - In a clean saucepan, whisk together 2 tablespoons agar-agar powder, 6 3/4 fluid ounces water and 1 2/3 cups coconut cream. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, stirring so the mixture does not stick. Add 1/2 cup granulated sugar and a pinch of salt; stir until fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.
05 - When the purple layer is fully set, gently pour the warm coconut cream mixture over the top in an even stream to avoid disturbing the layers. Allow the entire assembly to cool to room temperature.
06 - Refrigerate the chilled assembly for at least 1 hour or until completely firm. To unmold, gently loosen the edges with an offset spatula or knife and invert onto a serving plate.
07 - Slice into neat wedges or cut into cubes and serve cold. Keep leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Your guests will ask how you got those layers so perfect, but it's our secret how simple it actually is.
  • No oven required: just a bit of patience and your fridge does the rest.
02 -
  • If you pour a layer before the previous one has set enough, the colors will blur together and your rainbow disappears.
  • Letting every mixture cool slightly before pouring prevents the dreaded bubbles and wrinkled layers.
03 -
  • Don’t rush the chilling—cold jelly sets firmer and releases neatly.
  • Letting the coconut layer cool just to warm before pouring ensures layers stay crisp.
Return