Grilled Pineapple Sundaes with Salted Coconut Caramel and Lime

Start the caramel: simmer the coconut milk in a wide saucepan over medium heat until reduced by half, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 ripe pineapple, peeled, cored, cut into 8 thick rings
• 2 tbsp dark brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp neutral oil
• 400ml coconut milk (full fat)
• 150g granulated sugar
• 1 tsp flaky sea salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 500ml vanilla ice cream
• 4 tbsp toasted coconut flakes
• Zest and juice of 1 lime

Instructions

1. Start the caramel: simmer the coconut milk in a wide saucepan over medium heat until reduced by half, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Add the granulated sugar and cook, stirring, until the mixture thickens to a glossy caramel that coats a spoon, 8-10 minutes more. Stir in the sea salt and vanilla, then set aside to cool slightly — it will thicken further.
3. Pat the pineapple rings dry, then rub with oil and dust both sides with the brown sugar and cinnamon.
4. Grill over medium-high heat 3-4 minutes per side until deep char marks form and the sugars caramelize — the pineapple should smell like candy.
5. Cut the grilled rings in half and layer into glasses or bowls with scoops of vanilla ice cream.
6. Pour the warm salted coconut caramel generously over each sundae.
7. Finish with toasted coconut flakes, a flurry of lime zest, and a small squeeze of lime juice to cut the richness. Serve immediately, while hot fruit meets cold cream.
8. Grilled pineapple is a beloved finale at Mexican carne asadas, where fruit follows meat onto the still-hot grates and nothing goes to waste. Street vendors across Mexico have long sold pineapple dusted with chile and lime; this sundae channels that sweet-salty-sour instinct into dessert form, with a coconut caramel that nods to the dulce de leche tradition. The trick of hitting hot caramelized fruit with cold ice cream and sharp lime is pure cocina callejera wisdom: contrast is flavor.

Nutrition (estimated, per serving)

• Calories: 520 kcal
• Protein: 5g
• Fat: 26g
• Carbohydrates: 70g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 62g
• Sodium: 330mg