4.29.2012

Cocada ( Coconut Bark)


Wandering through Cathy's (Wives with Knives) Pinterest boards recently, I came across this recipe for Cocada. Coconut and condensed milk? O.M.G. Cathy's link sent me to Scarletta Bakes , Meagan's lovely blog featuring Southwest cooking. You'll enjoy checking it out. (She also posted step by step photos for making this bark.)


This recipe is candy, pure and simple. Ridiculously easy to make as well. I haven't made candy since the kids were little...fudge, lollipops etc. So this was a fun experiment and it comes with three bench notes:

  • you must make it in the size pan described
  • you must line the entire pan (including sides) with parchment paper
  • and you must wait 2 hours after baking before cutting with an oiled knife
Go ahead, drool over the photo, but I'll add just one more little bench note: insanely sweet!

Cocada (Coconut Bark)

From Scarletta Bakes via Cathy from Wives with Knives

Ingredients:
2-14 oz. cans sweetened, condensed milk (approximately 3 1/2 cups)
1-14 oz. bag of sweetened, flaked coconut (approximately 5 1/2 cups)
1/2 c. light corn syrup
1 tbsp. honey
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Method:

Preheat oven to 350°.
Line an 11” x 17” baking sheet with parchment paper. This step, for this recipe, is not optional: baked cocada will stick to anything other than parchment (foil, a greased baking sheet, etc.) and you will not be able to remove it post-baking. The parchment paper should completely cover the bottom and sides of the baking sheet. Set the lined pan aside.
In a large mixing bowl, stir the sweetened, condensed milk, honey, corn syrup and vanilla together until well-blended. Fold in the coconut and mix by hand until coconut is uniformly distributed throughout the milk mixture.
Spread the coconut and milk mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Using a rubber scraper, push the mixture evenly across and into the corners of the pan. Bake for 25-28 minutes. The cocada will bubble as it bakes and turn a deep golden brown, with the edges becoming especially dark – it is done baking when the top appears golden throughout.
Allow the cocada to cool and set for at least two hours. Using a sharp, lightly oiled knife, slice the cocada into squares, carefully remove each piece from the parchment lining, and enjoy straight away or store in an airtight container.



39 comments:

  1. A wonderful treat! On Pinterest, there lots of lovely recipes...

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  2. My father would have loved it. It's way too sweet for me though.

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  3. I agree that Pinterest is a great source for recipes. When we feel less than inspired it is even fun just to dream.

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  4. I'm really enjoying Pinterest also, and pay very close attention to that Cathy .... she finds wonderful things. Barbara this looks wonderful. And yes, with that condensed milk, I would imagine these would play havoc with my sweet tooth. :)

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  5. Waw! I have never heard from this treat before!
    The candy looks outragesly tasty & sweet too! :)

    I think this will be too sweet for me! :)

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  6. What a yummy treat! It does look sweet, so I'd content myself with a small taste.

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  7. Oh yum! It sounds exactly like my sort of treat!

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  8. Oh my…I adore coconut and would not be able to leave these alone!

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  9. I remember toasted coconut that went on top of soft ice cream - it was addictive. I'll bet this tastes just as good. Some of those old candy recipes were really fun to make.

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  10. Oh my goodness, these would be dangerous to have around. I love coconut and this recipe sounds wonderful!

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  11. That sounds delicious and I love that it's so easy to make as well. My husband would love it, he's a big coconut fan.

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  12. This does sound incredibly sweet and oh so delicious!!

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  13. I love anything coconut, so I'm on board!

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  14. This looks delicious! And so easy! I have no excuse not to make it!

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  15. Oh this reminds me of something I used to have as a child!!! BARBARA! Hello there beautiful ! THANK YOU FOR COMING and remembering a teacher. I have resigned after nine years, but it was a lovely career. Now it is time to try my hand at my art and writing. Risky, oh yeah. But such is life!

    ENJOY !!! Anita

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  16. this looks great and got to love pinterest :-)

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  17. I would love to try this, love coconut!

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  18. I can't believe I've never had coconut bark before. As simple as this is, and as wonderful as it looks, I better get cracking to make up for lost time now. ;)

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  19. Hi sweet friend....I have been trying to visit you! For some reason when you leave a comment on my blog I can't link back to you but today I could...yahooooo! Sorry it has been so long since I visited. I do appreciate all your sweet comments!!!!! Hugs. xoxo off to follow you on facebook.

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  20. Barbara this looks beyond amazing!

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  21. The fact that this has two of my favourite ingredients in it means that I would love it instantly I think! :D

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  22. You know, I haven't made candy in years... this does look remarkably easy.

    I still haven't explored pinterest properly. I started an account and put a few things up but then forget about it. Instead, my desktop is littered with folders full of pictures that take my fancy... nice to have them stashed somewhere else. I am noticing that some of my dishes have been pinned and traffic generated... I think it's a great thing.

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  23. You know, I haven't made candy in years... this does look remarkably easy.

    I still haven't explored pinterest properly. I started an account and put a few things up but then forget about it. Instead, my desktop is littered with folders full of pictures that take my fancy... nice to have them stashed somewhere else. I am noticing that some of my dishes have been pinned and traffic generated... I think it's a great thing.

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  24. MMMMMM. This looks quite tasty. I'm a coconut fan!

    I just wanted to let you know, I appreciate your visit and comment, but my name is not Kahtleen.

    - The Tablescaper

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  25. oo yum yum....we have made this before...and it is delicious!!!

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  26. What a wonderful treat for sweet lovers who also adore coconut. It looks delicious and I am sure they will enjoy it. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  27. I know cocada Barbara...we used to buy very often when in Brazil...but never made it...looking at your cocada brought me memories of my childhood :)
    Thanks for this recipe and hope you are having a fabulous week!

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  28. I made a similar recipe for my blog...they are very popular in Colombia!They are simple and delicious.

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  29. Oh boy. I'm definitely going through a coconut phase right now so this HAS to happen. My poor thighs.

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  30. Summer and coconut pair so perfectly together! I have a 9 year old son who would appreciate such little treats!

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  31. I really have to be careful with coconut, I can't seem to leave it alone when I make anything with it...

    It looks soooo good!

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  32. The perfect treat for my two coconut lovers!
    Mimi

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  33. Hi Barbara - I'm happy to read your comments about this recipe. I LOVE coconut and know I would love this treat. I don't have much of a sweet tooth so would probably be quickly satisfied. Do you think a light chocolate drizzle would be over-kill? I'll make this when I get a coconut craving. Little pieces might be nice with a cup of after dinner coffee. Thank you so much for the link.

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  34. Oh my goodness glory that looks good. I bet it is insanely sweet, a little goes along way!!!

    Thanks for the recipe sweetie! I've got to have a bite of that little piece of heaven!

    God bless and have a blissful kinda day darlin'!!! :o)

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  35. wait two hours? i couldn't do it. i'd have to find something to do out of the house to keep me away from it. :)

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  36. That looks insanely good Barbara! And is way too easy to make. Dangerous for me to have around - so tempting!

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  37. This sounds like such a wonderful treat.

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  38. Oh my goodness that sounds amazing Barbara. It is just a shallow baking tray you use or do you need sides like a brownie pan? I have to make this. Bookmark!!!

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