Korean Milk Dessert with Gelatin and Sesame Recipe
A delicate, milky dessert reminiscent of a light pudding or milk jelly, with aromatic sesame. In Korea, desserts with subtle milk and nut flavors are popular, often served after a spicy meal to soothe the palate. This dessert is simple, mildly sweet, and pleasantly chilled – perfect after lunch or dinner.
This dessert combines the subtle sweetness and creaminess typical of Korean milk-based sweets with the nutty aroma of toasted sesame. It is light, not overly sweet, and designed to gently calm the palate after spicy dishes, making it a refined finish to an Asian-inspired meal.
Chef's tips
Do not let the milk and cream boil, or the texture may become grainy and the gelatin may set unevenly. Make sure the gelatin is fully dissolved before pouring the mixture into serving dishes – if needed, briefly reheat the mixture over very low heat while stirring constantly. Lightly crushing the toasted sesame seeds in a mortar before adding them will intensify their aroma and flavor.
How to serve
Serve in small glass cups or bowls so the creamy texture and sesame specks are visible. Top with colorful seasonal fruit such as strawberries, kiwi, mango, or blueberries. For an extra Korean touch, serve alongside green tea or roasted barley tea (bori-cha).
Ingredients
- milk - 500 ml
- cream - 100 ml
- sugar - 3 tablespoon
- gelatin - 10 g
- water - 3 tablespoon
- sesame seeds - 2 tablespoon
- vanilla extract - 1 teaspoon
- fruit fresh, for decoration - 80 g
Preparation
- Pour the gelatin into a small bowl, add 3 tablespoons of cold water, stir, and set aside for 5–10 minutes until it blooms.
- Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan over low heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden. Set aside to cool.
- Pour the milk and cream into a saucepan, add the sugar and vanilla extract. Heat over medium heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is hot but not boiling (it should be very warm, without bubbles).
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the bloomed gelatin and stir vigorously until it is completely dissolved. Make sure there are no lumps.
- Add the toasted sesame seeds to the milk mixture and stir. Let sit for a few minutes, then pour the dessert into small glasses or bowls.
- Leave the dishes to cool at room temperature, then place them in the fridge for at least 3 hours, until the dessert is fully set.
- Before serving, decorate the top with pieces of fresh fruit and, optionally, a little extra toasted sesame.
Storage
No storage information available for this dish.
This dessert is a gentle way to introduce Korean-style sweets at home. I like that it is not too sweet and feels very light, so it works well even after a heavier or spicy meal. Toasted sesame adds a subtle, sophisticated twist that makes the dessert memorable without making it heavy.
