Creme de mamão, also known as Brazilian Papaya Cream. Looking for new ways to satisfy your sweet tooth?😏 Check out our 2 quick and easy versions of Brazilian Papaya cream recipes. One version consists of fresh papaya blended with vanilla ice cream until it reaches a smooth consistency. The other version has cream and sweetened condensed milk instead of ice cream. Crème de cassis, a sweet liquor made with blackcurrants, is usually drizzled on top, but a non-alcoholic blackcurrant syrup can also be used instead.
Jump to:
- What is Creme de Mamão?
- Brief highlights of our Creme de Mamão recipe:
- Creme de Mamão Ingredients.
- Tools you'll need
- How to Make Creme de Mamão with Ice Cream
- How to Make Creme de Mamão with Condensed Milk
- Substitutions
- Variations
- How to Serve
- How to Store
- Make-Ahead
- How to Freeze
- Tips for Making The Best Creme de Mamão
- FAQ
- Related Recipes:
- 📋 Recipe
What is Creme de Mamão?
Brazilian Papaya Cream, also known as Creme de Mamão, is a popular dessert in Brazil made with ripe papaya, ice cream, cream, and sweetened condensed milk. The ingredients are blended until smooth and creamy and then served in bowls or glasses, often topped with a drizzle of Crème de Cassis, a sweet blackcurrant liqueur. It is a refreshing tropical dessert that is perfect for hot weather. It's important to use ripe papaya to achieve a sweet and delicious flavor and to serve the cream immediately as it does not keep well.
Brief highlights of our Creme de Mamão recipe:
- Taste: Brazilian Papaya Cream, also known as Creme de Mamão, offers a delightful balance of tropical sweetness from ripe papaya, creaminess from ice cream or condensed milk, and a hint of fruity richness from Crème de Cassis. It's a dessert perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings with its refreshing and harmonious flavor.
- Texture: This creamy dessert exhibits a smooth and luscious texture, whether you opt for the version with ice cream or sweetened condensed milk. The ripe papaya contributes a natural silkiness, while the cream or ice cream adds a rich and velvety feel. The drizzle of Crème de Cassis or blackcurrant syrup provides a contrasting and luxurious touch.
- Method: Preparing Creme de Mamão is a breeze. Simply blend ripe papaya with either vanilla ice cream or a mixture of cream and sweetened condensed milk until you achieve a creamy consistency. Serve it immediately in individual bowls or glasses, optionally topped with a generous drizzle of Crème de Cassis for that extra layer of flavor.
Creme de Mamão Ingredients.
Note: The full ingredients list is provided in the recipe card below.
- Papaya: Papaya is a tropical fruit rich in vitamins A and C and has a sweet, juicy flavor. Ripe papaya is used in the cream to add a tropical and refreshing taste.
- Ice cream: Good quality vanilla ice cream is used in one version of Brazilian Papaya Cream to add creaminess and sweetness.
- Cream: In the other version of the cream, the cream is used instead of ice cream to provide a rich and creamy texture.
- Sweetened condensed milk: Sweetened condensed milk is used in both versions of Creme de mamão to add sweetness and creaminess.
- Crème de Cassis: Crème de Cassis is a sweet blackcurrant liqueur commonly used topping Creme de mamão. It adds a unique and delicious flavor to the cream.
Tools you'll need
How to Make Creme de Mamão with Ice Cream
Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
Combine the papaya cubes and ice cream in a blender until smooth and creamy.
Pour into individual serving ice cream bowls and serve immediately with a drizzle of cassis liqueur.
How to Make Creme de Mamão with Condensed Milk
Combine the papaya cubes, cream, and sweetened condensed milk in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
Pour into individual serving glasses and serve immediately with a drizzle of cassis liqueur.
Substitutions
- Papaya: If you cannot find fresh papaya, use frozen papaya instead. Just make sure to thaw it before using it. You can also try using other tropical fruits such as mango, pineapple, or guava.
- Vanilla ice cream: If you want a dairy-free version, use coconut milk or another non-dairy ice cream. If you prefer a lighter version, you can use frozen yogurt instead of ice cream.
- Sweetened condensed milk: You can use coconut or another non-dairy milk for a vegan version. If you want a lower-calorie version, you can use sugar-free condensed milk.
- Crème de Cassis: If you do not have Crème de Cassis, you can use another sweet liqueur such as Chambord or Framboise, or skip it altogether and use fruit syrup or honey instead.
Variations
- Spices: Add cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to the cream to give it extra flavor.
- Nuts: For some added crunch, you can sprinkle chopped nuts such as almonds, pistachios, or walnuts on top of the cream.
- Chocolate: You can drizzle some chocolate sauce or grated chocolate on top of the cream for a chocolatey twist.
- Citrus: You can add lime or lemon juice to the cream to give it a tangy flavor.
- Yogurt: You can replace some or all of the cream in the recipe with plain or vanilla yogurt to make the cream tangier and lighter.
How to Serve
- In individual bowls or glasses: After preparing the cream, pour it into individual serving bowls or glasses and serve it immediately. Garnish with a drizzle of Crème de Cassis or other syrup, chopped nuts, or grated chocolate.
- With fruit skewers: You can cut up some fresh fruit, such as strawberries, kiwi, or pineapple, and thread them onto skewers. Serve the skewers alongside the cream, and guests can dip the fruit into the cream.
- As a topping: You can use the cream for other desserts such as cakes, pies, or pancakes. It pairs well with chocolate, vanilla, or coconut flavors.
- Frozen: You can pour the cream mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze it until firm, stirring occasionally. Once frozen, you can scoop it out and serve it as a frozen dessert.
How to Store
Creme de mamão is best served fresh and consumed immediately. If you have leftover Creme de Mamão, it's advisable to store it in the refrigerator for a short time, but try to consume it as soon as possible to maintain its desired creamy texture.
Make-Ahead
Creme de Mamão is best served fresh, but you can prepare some ingredients to make the process faster when ready. To prepare the papaya ahead of time, you can peel, seed, and cube it and then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. You can also freeze the papaya cubes for up to 1 month if you want to prepare them further in advance.
How to Freeze
Creme de Mamão, especially the version made with ice cream, is best enjoyed fresh and not frozen. Freezing it may alter the texture and consistency, making it less creamy and more icy.
Tips for Making The Best Creme de Mamão
- Choose ripe papaya: The key to a delicious Creme de Mamão is to use a yellow-skinned ripe papaya that yields gentle pressure. Unripe papaya will not have the sweet and tropical flavor you want.
- Use good quality ice cream or cream: If you are making the cream with ice cream or cream, use a good quality product for the best taste and texture. Choose ice cream or cream that is rich and creamy, without any artificial flavors or preservatives.
- Peel the papaya completely: Make sure to peel all the skin from it, as it is extremely bitter and could ruin the recipe. Cut the papaya into small cubes, and remove any seeds.
- Use a high-speed blender: To achieve a smooth and creamy texture, use a high-speed blender to blend the papaya and ice cream or cream and sweetened condensed milk. This will ensure that the cream is free from any lumps or chunks.
- Serve immediately: Creme de mamão is best served fresh and consumed immediately. The cream does not keep well due to the papain enzyme in the papaya, so it is best to prepare and eat it immediately.
FAQ
Can I use frozen papaya to make Creme de mamão?
You can use frozen papaya instead of fresh papaya. Just make sure to thaw it before using it.
Can I use non-dairy ice cream or cream to make Creme de mamão?
You can use non-dairy ice cream or cream to make a vegan or dairy-free version of the cream. Coconut milk ice cream or coconut condensed milk can be great alternatives.
Can I omit the Crème de Cassis if I don't want any alcohol in the recipe?
Yes, you can omit the Crème de Cassis if you prefer a non-alcoholic version. It's optional for flavoring.
What can I do if the mixture is too thick or too thin after blending?
If it's too thick, you can add a little more cream or milk. If it's too thin, add more papaya or ice cream to adjust the consistency.
How ripe should the papaya be for this recipe?
The papaya should be fully ripe, meaning it should be soft and have a sweet aroma. Ripe papaya ensures the best flavor.
Related Recipes:
📋 Recipe
How to make Brazilian Papaya Cream (Creme de Mamão)
Ingredients
Creme de Mamão made with Ice Cream
- 900 g (1 large) ripe papaya, peeled, seeded, and cut into cubes
- 750 g vanilla ice cream
- 1 tablespoon Crème de Cassis , to taste (for drizzling on top)
Creme de Mamão made with Sweetened Condensed milk
- 900 g (1 large) ripe papaya, peeled, seeded, and cut into cubes
- 300 ml Nestle Table Cream (Media Crema) or light cream, cold
- 200 ml sweetened condensed milk (full-Fat)
- 1 tablespoon Crème de Cassis , to taste (for drizzling on top)
Instructions
How to Make Creme de Mamão made with Ice Cream
- Combine the papaya cubes and ice cream in a blender, and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour into individual serving ice cream bowls and serve immediately with a drizzle of cassis liqueur.
How to Make Creme de Mamão made with Sweetened Condensed milk
- Combine the papaya cubes, cream, and sweetened condensed milk in a blender, and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour into individual serving glasses and serve immediately with a drizzle of cassis liqueur.
Notes
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.