10 of the best mango dessert recipes

What flavours does mango go with?

Mango’s floral notes and bold sweetness pair well with many popular dessert ingredients. Think whipped cream, zesty citrus, coconut, white chocolate, vanilla and warming spices. Our vegan coconut pavlova, tropical take on eton mess and choux buns filled with a white choc, mango and passionfruit ganache are good examples.

Which mangoes should I use in my desserts?

Mangoes are a versatile ingredient and there are hundreds of varieties. One of the best known is the alphonso mango from Ratnagiri in India, which has an intense, sun-ripened sweetness and is dubbed ‘the king of mangoes’. They’re usually in season from April to June, so if you can get hold of this seasonal treasure then try them in our mango mousse, mess or stunning mango cheesecake below.

If you can’t find ripe mangoes, try canned purée or mango slices. Most supermarkets now stock frozen mango, too (perfect for smoothies).

10 of the best mango dessert recipes

Mango and elderflower mess

The hedgerow meets the tropics in this easy spin on eton mess. Steep the ripe fruit in elderflower cordial before layering up with whipped cream and broken meringue. Fragrant elderflower and heady mango are a winning combination – great even when you can’t get your hands on fresh blossoms.

Mango-misu

Tiramisu purists, look away now. Otherwise, if you’re ready to sub coffee for mango, try this irreverent take on the iconic Italian pud. Chef Ravinder Bhogal layers mango with a boozy zabaglione-mascarpone mixture, sponge fingers and tops with a generous sprinkling of Thai basil sugar.

Mango and passion fruit choux buns

In the mood to stretch your baking skills? Try your hand at some classic patisserie with TV chef Ravneet Gill’s recipe for choux buns topped with a layer of craquelin dough. Filled with silky mango, passion fruit and white chocolate ganache, these elegant buns would look at home in a chic Paris patisserie.

Mango cheesecake

Buttery, floral alphonso are often dubbed ‘the king of mangoes’. Fittingly, luscious alphonso mango slices crown this beautiful cheesecake from chef Avinash Shashidhara. No wonder the dessert is a favourite with diners at his London restaurant, Pahli Hill.

Vegan coconut and mango pavlova

With its intense sweetness and slinky texture, mango makes a great pavlova topping – an ideal foil for whipped cream and crisp meringue. This vegan version is made with aquafaba (the starchy liquid from a can of chickpeas) and rich coconut cream.

Mango, cardamom and coconut cake

A gorgeous layer cake from Chetna Makan. Layers of coconut and cardamom sponge alternate with rich mascarpone frosting and fresh mango strips. The perfect birthday cake for mango fans.

Easy mango mousse

Looking for a no-fuss summer dessert? Layer up glasses with a quick mango mousse, diced mango and mango puree (yep, it’s a triple threat) then chill in the fridge until ready to serve.

Mango and peanut crumble custard bars

These versatile crumble bars are perfect for summer picnics and days out. They’re an absolute texture-fest: a buttery shortcake base, silky custard, mango chunks and a crumble topping.

Mango sorbet

We couldn’t compile a mango round-up without this legend of the dessert menu. Mango sorbet is the perfect refresher after a heavy meal and this simple recipe explains how you can make it at home.

Mango and cardamom crème brûlées

Chef Vivek Singh adds mango sweetness and cardamom warmth to classic crème brûlée. You can make these puds a day ahead before caramelising the tops just before serving.

Need more inspiration? Check out all our mango dessert recipes and make-ahead summer puds.