Coconut Ice

Coconut Ice – Coconut ice is a classic British confectionery made with desiccated coconut, icing sugar and condensed milk. It is sweet, chewy, soft and a perfect addition to your Christmas dessert platter!

What is coconut ice?

Coconut Ice is a traditional British sweet confection made with desiccated coconut and powdered sugar and condensed milk which makes a soft and chewy candy. It is also very popular in Goa, India during Christmas time. The traditional methods requires cooking milk, coconut and sugar together until it reaches a candy consistency. However, this recipe is a shortcut and it’s equally good without any cooking or baking.

The coconut ice has two layers: one is uncolored, and the other is pink. Making it involves mixing the ingredients together, pressing them into a lined tin in layers, and letting it set in the refrigerator. Once it is firm, cut it into squares.

Why you’ll love this recipe:

It’s a no-bake recipe that doesn’t require any cooking.

A simple homemade treat that is perfect for the festive seasons.

It has longer shelf life.

Easy and quick sweet treat recipe for kids and novice cooks.

Ingredients & Substitutions:

Desiccated Coconut – It can be substituted with unsweetened shredded coconut. However, desiccated coconut will give the smooth texture. Do not replace it with fresh coconut.

Condensed Milk – Adds richness, smoothness and helps bind the all the ingredients together.

Powdered Sugar – Also known as icing sugar or confectioners sugar. It adds sweetness to the coconut ice and helps bind the ingredients together. Add more or less to suit your taste preferences. If you don’t have it, simply grind sugar to a fine powder and use.

Vanilla Extract – Enhances the flavor.

Food Color – Traditionally, coconut ice has a pink layer. You can use any of your preferred color or skip it for a plain coconut ice.

Serving suggestions:

Serve it as a sweet snack or dessert.

Pack them in decorative bags for a homemade edible gift or party favors.

Storage suggestions:

They have a really good shelf life. Store them in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. If you want to store them for longer period of time, store in the refrigerator for up to a month. You can also freeze them for 3 months.

Variations:

Feel free to use different flavor extracts such as almond or lemon for a flavor variation.

You can experiment with spices like cinnamon, cardamom or nutmeg.

You can also add cocoa powder to one layer of coconut mixture for a chocolate layer.

Add any of your favorite chopped nuts or dried fruits for added crunch and flavor.

Tips & Notes:

Use high quality ingredients for the best flavor and texture.

Add more or less powdered sugar as per your taste preferences.

Let it set properly in the refrigerator before cutting into squares.

If you are planning to make a single layer coconut ice without pink colored layer, just mix all the ingredients together and press it evenly in a lined tin and set it in the refrigerator.

Step by step instructions:

To make the uncolored coconut ice layer, combine the half of the ingredients except food color in a mixing bowl.

Mix everything well using a spatula until it forms a dough.

Transfer the coconut mixture to a lined 7×7 inch baking tin.

Spread it evenly and set aside.

To make the pink colored layer, combine the remaining coconut and icing sugar.

Add condensed milk, vanilla and pink food color.

Mix everything to make a dough.

Add the pink colored mixture on the top of the white coconut layer and press it down evenly using a spatula or spoon.

Let it set in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours or until it is firm.

Remove it from the refrigerator and cut into 1 inch square pieces.

You might love these recipes:

• Kulkuls
• Whole Wheat Coconut Cookies
• Santas Whiskers Cookies
• Saffron Cookies
• Red Hot Cinnamon Apples
• Raspberry Fool
• Orange Tutti Frutti Cake
• Vegan Mango Cake

How to make coconut ice recipe video below: