{"id":"cocada_b91d5276cd","slug":"cocada-coconut-candy","title":"Cocada (Coconut Candy)","description":"A traditional Latin American sweet treat made from freshly grated coconut and sugar, cooked until perfectly chewy and golden.","serves":12,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":25,"totalMinutes":35,"activeMinutes":20},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"2 cups freshly grated coconut","name":"Coconut","quantity":400,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"cup","form":"freshly grated","notes":"unsweetened","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"2 cups granulated sugar","name":"Granulated Sugar","quantity":400,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"white sugar","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 cup water","name":"Water","quantity":240,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 cinnamon stick","name":"Cinnamon Stick","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"stick","notes":"whole","group":"Aromatics","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 teaspoon vanilla extract","name":"Vanilla Extract","quantity":5,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"tsp","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil over medium heat.","group":"Syrup Preparation","title":"Combine the sugar, water, and cinnamon stick","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Syrup Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Simmer the syrup for about 5-8 minutes until it begins to thicken slightly (soft ball stage).","group":"Syrup Preparation","title":"Simmer the syrup","timerMinutes":8,"sourceTitle":"Syrup Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add the grated coconut to the syrup. Stir constantly to ensure all coconut is coated. Continue cooking over medium-low heat for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and starts to pull away from the sides and bottom of the pan.","group":"Cooking Coconut","title":"Add the grated coconut","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Cooking Coconut"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Remove from heat and remove the cinnamon stick. Stir in the vanilla extract.","group":"Finishing","title":"Remove from heat","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Line a tray with parchment paper. While the mixture is still warm, use two spoons to drop mounds of the coconut mixture onto the paper. Let them cool completely at room temperature for at least 1 hour to set.","group":"Finishing","title":"Line a tray with parchment paper","timerMinutes":60,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"For a creamier texture, you can substitute the water and half the sugar with a can of sweetened condensed milk. Using freshly grated coconut provides the best flavor and moisture.","cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Mexican","Colombian","Brazilian"]},"course":["dessert"],"cookingMethod":["boil","simmer"],"equipment":["heavy-bottomed saucepan","parchment paper","wooden spoon"],"diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","egg_free"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":12,"unit":"piece","note":"Depending on size of spoonfuls"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Can be made several days in advance and kept in an airtight container."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or in the fridge for longer shelf life.","reheatingNotes":"Not recommended; best served at room temperature."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fcocada_b91d5276cd%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=31399664-fceb-49ee-be50-084d1c9130b6","imageAlt":"Cocada (Coconut Candy) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["coconut","latin sweet","gluten free","chewy","candy"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Cocada (Coconut Candy)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T00:08:45.692Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T00:08:45.692Z","related":[{"id":"agua_fresca_de_limon_2a14774356","slug":"agua-fresca-de-limon","title":"Agua Fresca de Limón","description":"A traditional, crisp, and refreshing Latin American lime drink that perfectly balances tangy citrus with a hint of sweetness. Ideal for hot days or as a light accompaniment to spicy meals.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Mexican"]},"course":["appetizer","dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","egg_free","low_fat","low_sodium"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fagua_fresca_de_limon_2a14774356%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=fe94cf6f-2bf2-4184-ac60-2b5d49ae8160","imageAlt":"Agua Fresca de Limón — recipe cover","tags":["lime","refreshing","summer drink","mexican beverages","easy drinks","agua fresca"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":4},{"id":"arroz_con_leche_4f1ca75c61","slug":"arroz-con-leche-latin-american-rice-pudding","title":"Arroz con Leche (Latin American Rice Pudding)","description":"A rich, creamy, and aromatic rice pudding infused with cinnamon and vanilla, a classic staple in Latin American households.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":40,"totalMinutes":45,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Mexican","Colombian"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Farroz_con_leche_4f1ca75c61%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=c5d98313-4315-41c6-a68e-c9bd9f1ba3f7","imageAlt":"Arroz con Leche (Latin American Rice Pudding) — recipe cover","tags":["rice pudding","creamy","cinnamon","latin dessert","comfort food"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":6},{"id":"brigadeiro_9f2460f2c5","slug":"brigadeiro","title":"Brigadeiro","description":"A classic Brazilian chocolate fudge treat made with only a few ingredients. These chewy, chocolatey truffles are a staple at every Brazilian birthday party and are incredibly easy to make at home.","serves":20,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":50,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Brazilian"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbrigadeiro_9f2460f2c5%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=0a386b63-4232-4275-9807-e55aa50405aa","imageAlt":"Brigadeiro — recipe cover","tags":["chocolate","brazilian","fudge","truffles","no bake","sweet","party food"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":6}]}