Luscious Pina Colada Mousse or Pie Filling (healthier/vegan & plant-based)

In the summer, I spend a lot of time alone in my studio, so I love to create small gatherings of friends for connection and conversation.

As an excuse for a July get together–not that I need an excuse–I researched what national food days are this month. It turns out that July 10 is National Pina Colada Day!

It has been scorching hot, so I wanted to offer a cool, creamy treat in the heat of the day that was pretty to boot. Plus, I wanted something quick that didn’t look that way.

The base of this recipe is a treat I eat daily with a banana for breakfast: *Silk brand vanilla Greek yogurt! It must be the Greek version in the dark blue packaging for the dense and creamy texture, almost like cheesecake.

You can spoon the filling into a crumb crust for a true tart (make 2 times the recipe), but I think it is prettier crustless in martini glasses, especially for Pina Colada Day.

Luscious Pina Colada Mousse or Tart Filling (healthier/vegan/plant-based)
Yield: 4 servings

1/4 cup coconut rum or rum
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1-20 ounce can crushed pineapple, really well drained in a strainer or colander (reserve juice for another use)
3-1/3 cup cartons Silk brand vanilla Greek yogurt
1/2 cup thawed So Delicious Cocowhip
1/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
Optional but recommended: 1/4 teaspoon each coconut and rum extract
Garnishes:
4 teaspoons shredded unsweetened coconut
4 maraschino cherries, drained

In medium saucepan, whisk together rum and cornstarch, stir in well-drained crushed pineapple, place over medium heat, stirring constantly for about 2 or 3 minutes until very thick. Cool to room temperature. In medium bowl, gently fold together yogurt, Cocowhip, 1/4 cup coconut, optional extracts, and cooked pineapple mixture. Divide mixture between four serving bowls–I like martini glasses–and garnish each with 1 teaspoon shredded coconut and a maraschino cherry. Refrigerate until serving time.

*I reuse the plastic containers in my studio.