I don’t like coconut.  But I might have to change that statement after trying the Haupia Coconut Dole Whip served only at The Local Place!  Now out for a limited time only, this new treat using the classic Disney favorite, Dole Whip, is another hit invention by the creative minds at King’s Hawaiian (the people who make all those yummy breads at your grocery store).  This dessert melds the classic flavors of pineapple and coconut together in a medley that is reminiscent of a pina colada.  Like their previous hit, the Lilikoi Crunch Dole Whip, this one is much like a parfait.  It has multiple layers to maximize the flavor and to combine them in ways that create a subtle flavor explosion in your mouth.

It begins with a layer of pineapple Dole Whip at the bottom followed by a middle layer of vanilla chiffon cake and haupia pudding and topped by another layer of pineapple Dole Whip which is crowned by toasted coconut.  Like I said, I don’t like coconut so I was pretty skeptical of this new concoction going in.  I mean really, how are they going to make coconut appealing to someone who doesn’t like coconut?  But I wanted to keep an open mind.  I even brought my family with me – none of whom like coconut, and guess what?  We ALL liked it.  My wife and I finished an entire Haupia Coconut Dole Whip each!  Normally, the coconut in a dessert or a dish sneaks in and overwhelms it, but not in this treat.  Instead, the toasted coconut adds a taste and texture that compliments the smooth, cold, creamy goodness of the Dole Whip.  That little extra BITE heightens the flavor of each component instead of taking it away.  And then you get to the cake part.  If I didn’t know that haupia pudding was made with coconut, I never would have known.  It just seemed to be a rich, deep vanilla cream surrounding the light chiffon cake again adding a different texture to the dessert and making it even more complex.  Don’t get me wrong, you can definitely taste hints of coconut flavor all throughout the Dole Whip, but because of the combination of ingredients it made it all better.  To top it off, literally, is a Maraschino cherry.  Quite delicious.  I think the key is it retains the key component – Dole Whip – and the other layers simply add to it.  There isn’t too much cake or haupia pudding or toasted coconut to change the essence of the Dole Whip.  It’s kept in good balance.

But when they say “limited time” they mean it.  Don’t test them on this and wait to go try the new Haupia Coconut Dole Whip.  Go now!  If you waited for the Lilikoi Crunch Dole Whip, it is a thing of the past.  You can still get Dole Whip and Dole Whip Floats at The Local Place, but the Lilikoi Crunch Dole Whip is gone.  At least for now.  I was told it might be back one day, but that’s a decision for the future. So if you liked the Lilikoi Crunch Dole Whip, let the folks at King’s Hawaiian know on their Facebook and Twitter pages.  And don’t wait!  Go down to The Local Place in Torrance and grab yourself a Haupia Coconut Dole Whip today.  The Local Place is the ONLY place to try this new dessert.  You won’t be able to find it at Disneyland or Walt Disney World no matter how long you wait in those lines, and you won’t find it anywhere else either.

The Local Place is located at 18605 S Western Ave, Torrance, CA 90504. Hours are listed on their Facebook page and their website, or give them a call at (310) 523-3233.

• If you wondered what you’re missing out on with the Lilikoi Crunch Dole Whip read my review of it here!
• If you want to read more about The Local Place on my blog, read about it here, too!
• If you’re wondering about The Tiki Juice Bar where you can get the Dole Whip at Disneyland read here!