29 Decadent Durian Desserts to Indulge in on Special Occasions

Carmen Eldridge

September 23, 2025

Noticing that some exotic fruit enthusiasts may be unfamiliar with the term “durian”, let’s break down what this superfood is all about. Hailing from Southeast Asia, durians have a distinctive appearance – think spiky greenish-yellow rinds and lumpy, bright yellow flesh inside. While the smell can be off-putting for some, the taste is surprisingly amazing, with notes of sweet vanilla-like custard.

Additionally, durians are packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making them a nutritious choice. Research suggests that they may even help lower blood pressure, regulate the thyroid, and alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. So, if you’re feeling adventurous, why not take a chance on trying some durian desserts and discover their unique charm?

Durian Ice Cream

Durian Ice Cream

Zestfully combining its creamy texture with a sweet flavor profile, durian makes for an effortless ice cream. In just about an hour, you can create this unique dessert using simple ingredients such as egg yolks, sugar, whole milk, heavy cream, vanilla paste, and of course, the star ingredient – durian flesh.

Durian Pudding

Durian Pudding

Making desserts with durians can be an incredibly easy process. One such example is this 20-minute durian pudding, which offers a convenient way to incorporate more durians into your daily diet. Since you’ll need durian ice cream to make it, I’ve listed that as the first essential ingredient in my previous post.

The resulting pudding boasts a silky smooth texture and a refreshing quality, accompanied by a delicately sweet taste that’s sure to leave you wanting to scrape the sides of your bowl for every last bite. This dessert is perfect for durian enthusiasts who crave a lighter option.

Durian Puree Cheesecake

Durian Puree Cheesecake

Often considered a divisive ingredient in many desserts, durian pairs surprisingly well with traditional cheesecake recipes. Optimally, the fruit’s soft, creamy texture blends seamlessly into the mix, creating a unique and tantalizing combination that’s both familiar and exotic. One of the key advantages of using durian in cheesecakes is its ability to enhance the overall flavor profile without overpowering it, while also introducing a subtle tropical twist.

In addition, the prep time is impressively short, taking only 15 minutes or less to prepare, making it an ideal choice for busy home bakers. Observers may note that the finished product has a lovely golden-yellow hue, reminiscent of dishes infused with turmeric or saffron. Upon closer inspection, the texture is undoubtedly one of the highlights, boasting an unsettlingly smooth and creamy consistency that’s even more pronounced than its traditional counterpart.

Durian Chiffon Cake

Durian Chiffon Cake

Made with a unique combination of ingredients, a chiffon cake occupies a special place between the realm of sponge cakes and traditional cakes. It boasts an airy texture, akin to a sponge, but also retains a high level of moisture and tenderness, characteristic of a more traditional cake. When you incorporate the filling, crafted from cream cheese, durians, heavy whipped cream, and sugar, this already delectable cake transcends into an incredibly delicious treat.

The overall experience is much like taking a bite into a heavenly cloud.

Es Lilin Durian (Durian Popsicles)

Es Lilin Durian (Durian Popsicles)

Achieving perfection in dessert-making is often a daunting task, but these durian popsicles prove that simplicity can be just as delightful. With only 20 minutes of preparation time required, this recipe checks all the right boxes. All you need to do is combine your durian and water in a blender until smooth, then transfer the mixture to a stovetop saucepan along with coconut milk, mung bean flour, and sugar.

After that, pour the mixture into freezable bags or popsicle molds and let them freeze overnight. The end result is a deliciously refreshing treat that’s ready when you need it most!

Durian Milk Candy

Durian Milk Candy

Tucked away in Southeast Asian markets, durian milk candy has gained popularity in recent years due to its unique flavor profile and creamy texture. Typically made with just four ingredients: condensed milk, skim milk, durian fruit, and a variety of nuts, this confectionery treat is similar to divinity in taste but boasts a stronger cream flavor and less sweetness.

Durian Chocolate Truffles

Durian Chocolate Truffles

Observing the unique flavor profile of these durian chocolate truffles, it’s clear that they offer a truly one-of-a-kind taste experience. Despite requiring a bit more time to prepare, the actual hands-on work involved is surprisingly short, taking only around 15 minutes. However, it’s worth noting that the chilling process does take 2 hours, but this is largely due to the need for the ingredients to meld together and set properly.

The simplicity of these truffles lies in their minimal ingredient list – just dark chocolate, coconut milk, durian pulp, salt, and cocoa powder. When selecting a type of chocolate, it’s crucial to use dark chocolate rather than milk or white chocolate, as its slight bitterness perfectly balances out the richness of the durian pulp.

While they may not have the most visually appealing appearance, these truffles are truly worth trying, offering an unforgettable taste experience that will leave you wanting more.

Durian Whipped Cream

Durian Whipped Cream

Relying on its unique texture, durian whipped cream offers a distinct experience compared to traditional whipped cream. Rather than being light and fluffy, this dessert boasts a slightly creamier and wetter consistency. However, the flavor profile more than makes up for any texture discrepancies. One of the many advantages of making durian desserts is their simplicity, and durian whipped cream is no exception.

All that’s needed are durian flesh, heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a blender (ideally an immersion blender) to get started. Preparation time is minimal, requiring less than 10 minutes to whip up the mixture. Durian whipped cream can be used as a topping for various desserts or enjoyed on its own. Its sweet, durian-heavy flavor makes it palatable even when consumed with a spoon.

Personally, I enjoy pairing it with a unique twist – by spooning it into an ice cream cone and indulging in that combination. There’s something intriguing about the sweetness of the sugar cone complemented by the rich flavor of durian whipped cream.

Durian Swiss Roll Cake

Durian Swiss Roll Cake

Sprucing up your baking skills with this scrumptious durian Swiss Roll cake recipe is definitely a great way to get creative in the kitchen. Once you have the recipe for homemade durian whipped cream perfected, you can use it as the filling for this decadent dessert. Not only that, but the recipe itself calls for durian and whipped cream, making it even more convenient to whip up a batch using your pre-made whipped cream instead of going through the extra effort to make it from scratch.

Musang King Durian Cake

Musang King Durian Cake

Understanding what makes this cake truly special lies in its ability to perfectly balance texture and flavor. The dense, moist crumb is a masterclass in contrast, with the crispy exterior giving way to a lovely, fluffy golden-yellow interior. A key factor in this delightful combination is the use of both the flesh and chunks of Musang King durian, resulting in a strong and vibrant durian flavor that shines through in every bite.

The cake’s buttery and soft texture adds an extra layer of indulgence, making it hard to resist. While it may be relatively sweet, serving it with coffee or black tea can help temper the sweetness and round out the overall experience.

10 Best Durian Dessert Collection

Instructions

Instructions

Finding the perfect recipe is just the beginning. Before you start cooking, make sure to have all the necessary ingredients at hand. This means gathering not only the main ingredients but also any additional items that may be required, such as spices or condiments. With a clear list of ingredients in front of you, prepping your durian dessert will become even more manageable and time-efficient, taking no more than 30 minutes to complete.

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