Aloha is more than just a common expression in Hawaii — it’s a mindset. So, relax and say “Aloha” to these succulent tropical Hawaiian Desserts that will make you smile.
Hawaii offers diversity and distinction.
From its terrain to the flamboyant personalities that call the islands home, it’s easy to see why it has become a tourist attraction.
And then there’s Hawaiian dessert!
When tasting this delectable treat, you will be amazed at how different each bite tastes.
That’s because Hawaiian people like to sweeten the mix with pineapple and coconut.
Some have tried it with a twist and added some vanilla or even a banana for extra flavor.
You can also add some macadamia nuts for extra flavor or use them as garnish.
They are so good and versatile; there are just so many things you can do with them.
However, some of these treats are more similar to the food you’d get from your average neighbor.
But, there are some notable exceptions too!
And we’ve listed 21 of them here.
For your next tropical-themed party or staycation why not try to make the Guava Chiffon Cake, Instant Pot Kulolo, or Lilikoi Bars.
#20 really stands out from the rest.
It’s sweet, fruity, and tangy, everything you want in a bite of dessert.
You’ll have to see and try it for yourself to find out.
So, let’s take a look at these Hawaiian dessert recipes and get ready to scream Aloha, Hawaii!
Haupia is a Hawaiian coconut pudding and a favorite at Hawaiian luaus and potlucks.
The recipe is easy and quick, with only four ingredients: sugar, cornstarch, water, and coconut milk (although some recipes include eggs)
And although it has a few ingredients, it’s soft, creamy, and has a firmer texture.
So, if you love the coconut flavor, you’ll love this dessert!
We’ve introduced you to haupia, and now we’re giving you: Chocolate Haupia Pie.
It’s the perfect blend of chocolate, coconut, and cream, and it might just become your favorite pie ever.
The best way we can describe this pie is like chocolate pudding but with a coconut twist!
Plus, this recipe is rich and creamy without being too much.
Fantastic, right?
Every time you have a bite of this cake, you’ll think, “They should just call this The Cake.”
Because it is one of THE best cakes you’ll ever taste.
It’s one of those Hawaiian desserts that can be a showstopper.
It’s cool, creamy, and comforting.
What’s more, it’s also an all-around crowd-pleaser because you can serve this at birthdays, graduations, and Christmas parties—you name it.
So whether you’re going somewhere for a holiday or hosting your own shindig, this is definitely worth trying out for your guests.
If you’re planning to make a splash on a summer day, we’ve got this Brown Sugar Grilled Pineapple recipe for you!
When you grill pineapple in a grill pan, it gets soft and tender, and it literally melts in your mouth!
It’s so good!
And the brown sugar adds just a touch of sweetness that makes it feel like an indulgence.
Plus, it’s so easy, you’ll be surprised too.
All you need is 20 minutes to bring the magic together.
If you’re new to Guava Chiffon Cake, you’re in for a treat!
And we’re sure we can both agree that it’s an amazing dessert if you have tried it before.
Guava chiffon cake is basically a soft, fluffy, and moist sponge cake with a tropical guava glaze.
The flavor is sweet and lightly fruity, without overpowering, and the texture is just right.
While you might miss a hit-a-home run with this cake, we’re sure your friends will hit a home run taking it home!
If you’re looking for a dessert that’ll make your whole family drool, this Hawaiian Butter Mochi is the one!
With a chewy, buttery texture and a crisp, crunchy crust, this recipe has all the qualities of a classic dessert.
Also, it’s simple to make and oh-so-delicious!
It’s the perfect treat for any occasion.
These bars deliver the best of both coconut and macadamia worlds: chewy coconut and nut filling on a shortbread base.
The topping is rich, gooey, and incredibly tasty.
And the crust is just as good—it’s like shortbread but even better.
These are different from your typical coconut bar, and they’re the perfect way for coconut lovers to get their fix.
8. Malasadas
Malasadas (originated from Portugal) are a deep-fried, irresistible confection rolled in sugar.
They are fluffy, airy donuts that are the ideal balance of crispy and soft—an island-y treat packaged up into one perfect bite.
And they taste like heaven on a plate.
You can fill them with custard, jam, or dulce de leche or simply serve them plain.
You’ll want to get your hands on more than one of these!
We know we say this about everything, but it’s true: these are seriously the best Hawaiian Cheesecake Bars you’ll ever eat.
The secret is in the sweet, tart pineapple filling and also in the toasted coconut topping, which takes this delightfully decadent dessert over the top.
These bars are simply the perfect make-ahead dessert for a weekend brunch or summer gathering.
Plus, you can store them in the fridge for up to two days ahead of time!
One traditional dessert you’ll often find in Hawaii is Kulolo or taro pudding.
It is soft, chewy in texture, dark brown in color, and rich in flavor.
And it’s made from steamed taro root and coconut milk that are then cooked down with brown sugar until a thick pudding forms.
The best part about making Kulolo is that it can be done in an Instant Pot (which is also the best, easiest, and fastest way to make Kulolo)
Do you sometimes have days when all you want is something sweet?
Well, we have a suggestion: easy Hawaiian Pineapple Squares.
These are simple yet delicious, a treat for everyone.
They’re essentially two layers of shortbread with an incredible pineapple topping.
You can make them in five minutes and eat them in ten—that’s 15 minutes of pure bliss!
12. Snowball Cookies
we’ve got just the recipe for you!
These Snowball Cookies are festive and fun, with a Hawaiian twist.
Just like a snowball fight in the snow, but with pineapples!
In fact, these cookies also have coconut flakes on top, so they’re basically just screaming “ALOHA!”
If you love piña colada, but without having too much sugar, this Hawaiian Wedding Cake recipe is the key.
This cake is like a piña colada in cake form with its refreshing pineapple and coconut flavors.
It starts with a basic yellow cake mix, then gets layered with a delicious pineapple layer that soaks into the cake itself.
And finally, it’s topped off with some whipped cream frosting.
It really does feel like a wedding in your mouth (which makes it great for weddings)!
14. Chichi Dango
Hawaiians have a strong affinity for Chichi Dango.
Maybe it’s like a fluffy, chewy, sweet cloud, a dessert, a snack, or an angelic chorus in your mouth.
Either way, it’s worth the love it gets.
Also, Chichi Dango is traditionally made with coconut milk and sugar.
Still, these days you can find Chichi Dango mochi in all sorts of flavors—from green tea to mango to coffee.
Plus, it’s perfect for anyone looking for a quick bite on the go or just something to nibble on while they go about their day.
And the only thing that could make it better?
A scoop of ice cream (or two) alongside it!
For most, pumpkin pie is one of the great joys of their life.
And while we love a classic pumpkin pie, sometimes it’s fun to mix things up and try something new!
Enter the Pumpkin Haupia Pie.
This recipe has taken two beloved Hawaiian desserts (pumpkin and haupia) and combined them into a masterpiece.
Thanks to the haupia, it’s got the classic pumpkin flavor you know and love with a whole new level of smoothness and creaminess in the filling!
16. Hawaiian Tarts
Take your taste buds on vacation and make these Hawaiian Tarts!
The buttery, flaky crust is made from scratch.
And for the pineapple filling, you’ll need to buy canned pineapple because it’s hard to find fresh pineapple in a store in most parts of the country.
The coconut whipped cream topping makes each bite taste like an exotic dessert with a tiny paper umbrella.
Really, these tarts are a fun treat for every day or for parties!
We’ve got a tropical dessert for you, and it’s like a dreamy staycation!
This coconut poke cake is made with a super simple vanilla cake filled with a coconut cream pudding, frosted with whipped topping, and sprinkled with toasted macadamia nuts.
The pineapple crushed into the filling will make it seem like you’re sitting on the beach with your toes dipped and curled in the sand while eating this delicious cake.
Pucker up for this tart, tangy Lilikoi Bars!
If you’re new to lilikoi juice, it’s the Hawaiian version of passion fruit juice.
Like passion fruit, it’s sometimes sweet and sometimes sour—but always full of flavor.
Also, these bars are made with a chewy shortbread crust topped with a sweet and slightly tart lilikoi filling.
And the filling is just a combination of sweetened condensed milk, lilikoi juice, eggs, and flour.
The best part?
Topped with stabilized whipped cream!
They’re really perfect as they are.
19. Hula Pie
So, have you heard of something called a Hula Pie?
It’s a dessert that’s so delicious it’s basically an addiction.
You can make Hula Pie by turning macadamia nuts into ice cream.
Then, you put the ice cream on the cookie crust and top it with fudge, whipped cream, and even more nuts.
And do you remember those moments when you’re at the restaurant and just want to lick every last crumb off your plate?
That’s what happens with hula pie.
This tropical Sweet Roll Berry Bread Pudding is the perfect way to use leftover rolls from your weekend brunch.
The doughy sweetness of the rolls makes a good foundation for bread pudding and fresh seasonal berries.
Then top it off with an easy lemon sauce, more berries, and a nice big glob of whipped cream for a truly mouthwatering experience.
This is an “Oh my gosh, please pass me that plate again” situation you will want to partake in!
We know you’re a busy bee with little time to spend an hour hovering in the kitchen.
You want a sweet treat that’s easy to make but is still decadent and delicious.
We feel you—and we’re giving it to you!
This Pineapple Coconut Hawaiian Sweet Roll is stuffed with pineapple and coconut, then drizzled with a pineapple glaze.
It is best to top it off with macadamia nuts for that extra island flair and crunch. because macadamia nuts are just so good.
The bottom line
We believe that Hawaii is a paradise for its beautiful beaches, incredible weather, and diverse and rich food culture.
And you can get a taste of a heavenly piece of the earth by making one of these desserts yourself or going to a Hawaiian-themed restaurant near you.
Either way, you’re gonna love it!
And now that this article has come to an end, we hope our list has given you some ideas on how to enjoy Hawaiian desserts.
So, if you’re planning to try out some new recipes while on vacation, give some of these recipes a shot.
They will surely take your trip (or staycation) to the next level.
Get more Hawaiian inspirations with these 17 heavenly entrees and 21 Hawaiian side dishes!
21 BEST Hawaiian Dessert Recipe Assortment 🍍
Say "Aloha" to these 21 delicious tropical Hawaiian Desserts that will make you smile!
Ingredients
- Haupia (Coconut Pudding)
- Chocolate Haupia Pie
- Hawaiian Dream Cake
- Brown Sugar Grilled Pineapple
- Guava Chiffon Cake
- Hawaiian Butter Mochi
- Coconut Macadamia Nut Bars
- Malasadas
- Hawaiian Cheesecake Bars
- Instant Pot Kulolo
- Hawaiian Pineapple Squares
- Snowball Cookies
- Hawaiian Wedding Cakes
- Chichi Dango
- Pumpkin Haupia Pie
- Hawaiian Tarts
- Hawaiian Pineapple Poke Pie
- Lilikoi Bars (Passionfruit Bars)
- Hula Pie
- Hawaiian Sweet Roll Berry Bread Pudding
- Pineapple Coconut Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
Instructions
- Check out our list of Hawaiian Desserts for your next recipe!
- Gather the ingredients.
- Start cooking your new dish!
- Enjoy and share your insights on our Facebook page!