Coconut plays an important starring role in many Latin American dishes, from sweet desserts to savory additions. And in Colombia, Cocadas takes top billing.
What you add to your cocadas can depend on family heritage and tradition, but this sweet treat is easy to make no matter where you’re from.
Read on for a quick, easy recipe so you can try your hand at making cocadas at home.
What Are Cocadas
Cocadas are a coconut based candy popular in Colombia, and many other Latin American countries.
They are baked Colombian treats that are enjoyed at room temperature and can come in various flavors and colors with the assistance of food coloring.
They are popularly sold on the streets, at beaches, candy stores and supermarkets.
How To Make Cocadas
To make Colombian cocadas, you’ll need a few basic ingredients.
This recipe makes 12 individual candies, so you can always increase the amount if you want to make more.
Cocadas Ingredients
To make one dozen cocadas, start with two and a half cups of shredded coconut. The coconut can be storebought or you can shred it yourself for fresh coconut.
You’ll also need one and a half cups of coconut water, a quarter cup of whole milk, and a three-quarter cup of sugar.
To add a touch of extra flavor, include a pinch of cinnamon powder. To make your cocadas denser, you may substitute the regular milk for condensed milk.
Cocadas Cooking Directions
To make cocadas, first put all of the listed ingredients into a pot and bring everything to a boil. Once it begins boiling, reduce the heat to the low setting.
Let everything simmer slowly for around 30 minutes, or until everything has thickened nicely.
You should stir the ingredients often using a wooden spoon. This will keep your coconut mixture from burning and from sticking to the pot.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Use two spoons to drop small amounts of your cocada mixture onto the baking sheet, spacing each one about two inches apart.
Let everything cool completely, and then you can store your treats to enjoy anytime.
It’s best to keep them in an airtight container to keep everything fresh.
The cocadas should store nicely for around two weeks, but it’s doubtful they’ll last that long!
Variations of Cocadas
This is a quick and easy guide to make traditional Colombian cocadas, but you can easily tweak them to put your own personal stamp on them.
Get creative with flavors and add things like vanilla or extra cinnamon if you choose.
You may also bake them in the oven and create cocada “bark” that’s nice and brown with a chewy center.
Add some vanilla extract or dust them with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.
Colombian Treats Made Easy
If you’re looking for a chewy and delicious traditional Colombian sweet treat, cocadas are a wonderful addition to your recipe repertoire.
It’s no wonder it made our list of 11 Colombian Desserts To Treat Your Sweet Tooth.
These coconut-based candies are simple to make, and you can store them in the fridge for up to two weeks to enjoy.
To discover more native Colombian dishes, visit our Colombian blog section.
Or check out the 17 Best Colombian Food Dishes You Should Try Right Now.
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Jorge Garcia is the founder of AmigoFoods, where he has spent over 20 years helping readers discover authentic Latin American and Spanish cuisine. Raised in a Cuban-American household, Jorge learned to cook at the hands of his mother and grandmother, carrying forward generations of family recipes. That heritage, backed by his family’s four-generation history in the Latin food industry, inspired him to launch AmigoFoods in 2003. With more than 1,000 published articles on recipes, ingredients, and food culture, Jorge’s mission is simple: make authentic Latin cooking approachable for home cooks everywhere while honoring the traditions behind every dish.