How to make Nigerian Coconut Candy

Dobby

11 years ago

Coconut candy is a classic Nigerian sweet treat which has been around for as long as I can remember. My escapade with this chewy goodness takes me way back in the days when it was sold in the streets for as little as 25kobo. I remember vividly, I would always save my lunch money for after school hours, Miss the school bus on purpose so I could trek home with friends and in the process stop by Iya Ramatu’s shop to buy Coconut candy……Sweet Lasgidi Memories :). It could be crunchy or chewy depending on how you make it. The tutorial below is for the Chewy candy but I also chipped in a lil sumn sumn for those who prefer the hard coconut candy.

• Prep time: 15mins

• Cook Time:25mins

• Total time: 40mins

• Makes: 6

Ingredients:::

• 200g Granulated Sugar

• 1½ cup Water

• 220g Coconut flesh

Directions:::

Step 1: Wash and Grate the coconut flesh; Set Aside

Step 2: In a small sauce pan, Add the sugar and water and leave to boil for 12mins on medium heat till the mixture starts to thicken.

Step 3: Gently Add the grated coconut and stir continuously for 8 mins till you notice the sugar caramelizing (You’d notice when it starts turning brown). To prevent it from burning underneath, turn down the burner temperature to the lowest and leave for another 5 mins (Keep stirring intermittently)

Step 4: Turn off the Burner and scoop the hot coconut and sugar caramel mixture onto a flat plate with a spoon. As the candy cools, it firms up (Including the runny caramel).

Step 5: Leave for about 3 – 4 Hours to harden completely.

Enjoy!

P.S: If you love your candy Hard and crunchy, you’d only need Two ingredients; Sugar and Grated coconut. Just pour the sugar in the sauce pan and leave to melt & caramelize. Add the Grated coconut and keep stirring continuously till the Caramel mixes completely with the coconut. Leave to cool before rolling into balls – Also leave to cool further & harden. The end result is a crunchy set of coconut candy