
Caribbean · 45 min · Easy · 12 pieces
Coconut Drops
Chunks of fresh coconut boiled in ginger sugar until the syrup thickens, then dropped in spoonfuls and left to set hard. Chewy, sticky and very Jamaican.
~170 cal per serving — Calories are approximate, per serving — a guide only.
Method
- 1
Start the syrup
Put the diced coconut, grated ginger, sugar, nutmeg and a pinch of salt in a pot with ¾ cup (200 ml) water. Bring to a boil.
- 2
Boil it down
⏱ 30 minBoil steadily, stirring often, for 25–30 minutes until nearly all the liquid has gone and the mixture is thick, sticky and starting to crystallise around the edge of the spoon.
- 3
Drop and set
⏱ 60 minWorking quickly, drop heaped tablespoons onto a lined tray. Leave to cool and harden completely, at least an hour.
Notes
The moment to stop is when a dropped spoonful holds its shape rather than spreading — a minute early gives you sauce, a minute late gives you toffee. Fresh coconut only; desiccated goes powdery.