Cocadas (Coconut Candy)

by Alura Gonzales
(Santa Cruz, Bolivia)

Cocadas are from Tarija. You’ll need the following ingredients for 2 dozen candies:

2 2/3 cups shredded coconut
(fresh shreds work better than dry shreds)
3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
(make sure you are using condensed milk - not evaporated milk)
1 egg, beaten
1/4 teaspoon almond essence
(substitute with vanilla if you prefer)

How to prepare:

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 (or spray with a 0 calorie spray oil) on a baking sheet. Using two teaspoons, put small amounts of the mixture on the baking sheet.

Bake at medium temperature (European oven: 163 Celsius degrees; American oven: 325 Fahrenheit degrees) for twenty-five minutes or until they are golden, dry and smooth at the same time.

So easy! Enjoy!