Coconut Balls Coquitos Recipes

COQUITO BALLS (CARIBBEAN-STYLE RUM BALLS)

Steps:

• Place coconut flakes in food processor and pulse until finely chopped with some chunks of coconut still visible; do not process to a powdered consistency. Transfer to a bowl and mix with 1/4 cup of powdered sugar. Set aside.
• Process coconut cookies in batches in the food processor until they become fine crumbs. When all cookies have been processed, measure 5 cups crumbs and pour them into a large mixing bowl. Discard any additional crumbs or reserve for another use.
• Add remaining 1 cup powdered sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the mixing bowl and mix with cookie crumbs until well combined.
• Mix together rum and sweetened condensed milk in a small measuring cup; pour slowly into the cookie crumb mixture, stirring to combine. Mix everything until well blended.
• Use your hands to form dough into about thirty-six 1 1/4-inch balls. Roll each ball in the reserved coconut-sugar mixture until well coated, lightly pressing in the coconut topping. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve or gift.

COCONUT COQUITO

Steps:

• Combine the coconut milk and the sugar in a saucepan and scald over medium heat.
• Beat the egg yolks with the vanilla. Beat in 1/2 cup of the scalded mixture into the egg yolks. Then whisk all the egg yolk mixture into the scalded mixture. Stirring mixture constantly, cook over low heat until mixture reaches a temperature of 160 degrees F (71 degrees C). The mixture should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. DO NOT BOIL.
• Strain the eggnog into a bowl. Stir in the rum and let cool to room temperature. Place plastic wrap on the surface and refrigerate until well chilled. Once chilled serve with nutmeg sprinkled on top.

COCONUT BALLS (COQUITOS)

Steps:

• Drain syrup from coconut. Reserve syrup.
• Mix coconut, brown sugar, and vanilla in a medium size saucepan.
• Cook over medium heat for a few minutes then allow to cool.
• Make small balls on buttered cookie sheet and set aside.
• Mix coconut syrup and white sugar in small saucepan and cook over medium heat.
• Stir frequently until it becomes dark brown.
• Pour over balls and allow to cool.