Cocadas Recipes

COCADAS (BOLIVIAN COCONUT CANDIES)

Steps:

• In a bowl, mix shredded coconut, egg, condensed milk, and almond essence until everything is well mixed.
• Let rest for two or three minutes.
• Spread butter on a baking sheet to coat.
• Using two teaspoons, put small amounts of the mixture in the baking sheet.
• Bake at medium temperature (European oven: 163 Celsius degrees; American oven: 325 Fahrenheit degrees) for 25 minutes or until they are golden, dry and smooth at the same time.
• Yields 24 regular-size coconut candies.

QUICK AND EASY COCONUT BARK ("COCADA")

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Spray an 8 by 8-inch glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
• Mix the coconut and condensed milk in a bowl until combined. Press the mixture into the prepared baking dish, and bake until the coconut is evenly browned and crisp at the edges, about 20 minutes. Cool slightly, and cut into squares. Serve warm or at room temperature.

COCADA (BRAZILIAN COCONUT SWEET)

Steps:

• Combine condensed milk, sugar, coconut, and vanilla extract in a large saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and becomes a little darker. If you find that the cocada is cooking too quickly, reduce heat to low and continue stirring.
• Once the mixture has thickened enough and feels heavy on the spoon, remove from heat and place spoonfuls on a piece of parchment paper.
• Let cool for about 30 minutes (cocada will harden a bit) and transfer to a sealed container.

EASY VENEZUELAN COCADA

Steps:

• Place coconut meat, milk, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, if using, in a blender. Blend until smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
• Strain the mixture through a fine sieve. NOTE: I like to add 1-2 tablespoons of coconut left in a fine sieve to the strained mixture for extra texture, but this is totally optional.
• Place the mixture in the blender again, add ice to your taste. Blend until ice is completely crushed.
• Serve. Sprinkle with cinnamon and drizzle with more sweetened condensed milk, if desired. Enjoy and transport yourself to the beautiful Venezuelan beaches.

COCADAS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a medium mixing bowl, stir together coconut, cornstarch, condensed milk, almond extract, and vanilla extract. Let mixture sit for 3 to 5 minutes.
• Using 2 tablespoons, drop by heaping rounded spoonfuls onto parchment lined cookie sheet about 1-inch apart. Watching closely, bake for 15 to 20 minutes until lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and cool on wire rack.
• Using fine meshed sieve or sifter, dust with confectioners' sugar. Store loosely covered until ready to serve.