Mais con Yelo is a simple Filipino iced treat made with sweet corn, crushed ice, and milk. I like using both cream-style and whole kernel corn, and topped with a scoop of ice cream, toasted pinipig, and a sprinkle of grated cheese-if you know, you know.
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Ingredients you'll need
What is Mais con Yelo?
Mais con Yelo (sometimes spelled maíz con hielo, from the Spanish "corn with ice") is a classic Filipino iced dessert made with sweet corn, milk, and crushed ice. It's like a simpler, corn-centered take on halo-halo.
Filipinos have other iced treats, too-saba con yelo with caramelized bananas, or the more elaborate halo-halo loaded with colorful mix-ins-but mais con yelo keeps it uncomplicated: just corn, milk, ice, and a few toppings to make it special.
Notes and substitutions
- Corn: I like using a mix of cream-style corn for flavor and whole kernels for texture.
- Sweetener: Add sugar to taste. You can swap with condensed milk for something sweeter and creamier or use simple syrup if you want it to dissolve right away.
- Toppings: A scoop of ice cream makes it extra special-queso, corn, mango, vanilla, or ube are all delicious. Don't skip the grated cheese (Quickmelt or Eden cheese) if you love that sweet-and-salty contrast. Pinipig is classic, but you can also use toasted rice cereal, cornflakes, or chopped barquillos for that crunch.
- Extras (optional): Leche flan, nata de coco, or sago if you want to make it more special.
How to make this recipe
Step 1: Toast the pinipig
Toast the pinipig in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring every now and then so it doesn't burn. Cook until it turns lightly golden and crisp.
Step 2: Layer the glasses
In a tall glass, spoon in cream-style corn and whole kernels-use as much or as little as you like. Add some sugar if you want it sweet.
Add plenty of crushed or shaved ice until the glass is almost full.
Step 3: Add the toppings
Top it off with a scoop of ice cream, a sprinkle of grated cheese, and toasted pinipig. Drizzle with evaporated milk and serve right away with a long spoon.
Don't wait too long-Mais con Yelo is best enjoyed right away while the ice is still fluffy.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Use fresh sweet corn-just boil the kernels until tender, then use them the same way.
Not really. You can use just one type, but the mix gives you both body and texture.
Processed cheese like Eden or Quickmelt is classic for that sweet-and-salty contrast.
Not quite. Halo-halo has lots of mix-ins and is more elaborate, while Mais con Yelo keeps it simple with corn as the star.
Try more corn recipes
- Chicken and Corn Soup: A Filipino-Chinese style soup with chicken, sweet corn, and silky egg ribbons in a light, savory broth.
- Crab and Corn Soup: Sweet corn and crabmeat in a thick, svaory broth with egg ribbons.
- Maja Blanca: A coconut milk-based pudding made with cornstarch and corn kernels, topped with latik or toasted coconut.
- Ginataang Mais: Sweet corn simmered in coconut milk with glutinous rice.
Other drinks and cold treats you may like
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📖 Recipe
Mais con Yelo (Corn Shaved Ice Dessert)
Equipment
- Skillet (for toasting pinipig)
- Tall glasses
Ingredients
- 1 (14.75 oz) can cream-style corn (see note)
- 1 (15.25 oz) can whole kernel corn drained (see note)
- 4 cups crushed ice more as needed
- 1 cup evaporated milk more to taste
- 4 scoops ice cream (see note)
- 4 tablespoons grated cheese (see note)
- ½ cup pinipig toasted (see note)
- Sugar to taste (see note)
Instructions
- Toast the pinipig: Toast pinipig in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden and crisp
- Layer the glasses: Spoon cream-style corn and whole kernels into a tall glass (add sugar if you like). Fill almost to the top with crushed ice.
- Add the toppings: Top with ice cream, grated cheese, and toasted pinipig. Drizzle with evaporated milk and serve right away with a long spoon.
Notes
- Corn: Use a mix of cream-style for flavor and whole kernels for texture.
- Sweetener: Sugar to taste, or swap with condensed milk or simple syrup.
- Toppings: Add a scoop of ice cream (queso, corn, mango, vanilla, or ube). Sprinkle grated cheese (Quickmelt or Eden) for that sweet-and-salty contrast, plus pinipig for crunch (or toasted rice cereal, cornflakes, or chopped barquillos).
- Extras (optional): Leche flan, nata de coco, or sago to make it mroe special.
Uri says
Your mais con yelo looks really good im salivating!
Nora Reyes says
Hi Uri! Thank you so much!