Last Updated on December 16, 2022
Whether adding them to cakes or brownies, coconut flakes make a great addition to homemade desserts. If you love this popular fruit, you will want to know how to sweeten coconut flakes. These will take your desserts to a whole new level.
Fortunately, sweetening coconut is quite easy, so no need to worry if you have no prior baking experience. It not only gives desserts a nice look, but it also gives them an amazing flavor and texture. Sweetened coconut is great to have on hand for your baking needs.
Uses For Sweetened Coconut
There are many different recipes you can use shredded sweetened coconut for. It is a versatile food and great for using for decorating. It adds a great tropical flavor that takes your dessert to the next level.
Sweetened coconut is great for adding to different cakes. It tastes great with chocolate, vanilla, yellow, carrot cake hummingbird cake, and coconut cake. It is popular to use with Easter lamb cakes, as it gives the appearance of the fur on a lamb.
Coconut also goes great with brownies. You can add frosting or caramel on top of your brownie and then sprinkle it with coconut for a great treat.
There are also many cookie recipes you can use coconut with. Coconut is an important ingredient for coconut macaroons. They also go great with snowball cookies or even as decoration on frosted sugar cookies.
Sweetened coconut is great for keeping around for any occasion. You can add it to your cheesecake or make an incredible coconut cream pie. It also makes a wonderful topping for yogurts, parfaits, and mousse.
What You Need To Make Sweetened Coconut
Ingredients
To make this sweetened coconut by Food.com, you will need:
- 1/4 cup water
- 4 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut
Equipment
To prepare your recipe, you will need a:
- Small saucepan
- Wooden spoon
- Parchment paper
- Cookie sheet
Step By Step Instructions
Step One: Add Water and Sugar to Saucepan
In a small saucepan, heat the water and sugar together with the heat set to medium.
Step Two: Add the Coconut
Add the coconut to the water and sugar mixture. Stir the mixture with the coconut until the water is absorbed. Once the water is absorbed, remove the coconut from the heat.
Step Three: Add the Coconut to the Baking Sheet
Add the coconut to your baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let it dry.
Step By Step Instructions: Toasting The Coconut (Optional)
Step One: Preheat the Oven
If desired, you can also toast your sweetened coconut. To do so, preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use coconut that has been shredded or flaked. You will want your coconut to be on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step Two: Toast for Three Minutes
Toast the coconut in the oven for about three minutes. After three minutes, stir the coconut with a spatula and return it to the oven. Continue cooking it for another three to four minutes, until it is golden brown.
Step Three: Allow Coconut to Cool
Once it is golden brown, remove it from the oven. Allow your toasted coconut to fully cool before using. You can store any leftovers in an airtight jar at room temperature for up to one month.
Tips And Tricks
Instead of using sugar, you can use honey or maple syrup to naturally sweeten your coconut. To do so, use four teaspoons of honey or maple syrup in place of sugar. Then, instead of using hot water, use just warm water instead to mix all the ingredients together.
Allow the coconut to soak in this mixture before letting it dry out. Use it immediately or store any leftovers in an airtight container in a fridge. If they are properly stored, they should be able to last for one month. Be certain that the flakes are properly dry before storing them, otherwise, they may become soggy and will potentially spoil quicker.
In addition, you can also store your sweetened coconut for up to one year. To do so, place your flaked or shredded coconut in a Ziploc bag, removing as much air as possible. In addition, you may also use an airtight container as well.
It will last in the freezer for around six months as long as you properly store it. When ready to use, let it thaw at room temperature for half an hour or in the fridge for a couple of hours. It is important to note that it may be slightly soggy once it thaws completely out.
You can use shredded or flaked coconut for this recipe. If you would like to shred it on your own, you can use a cheese grater and do it by hand. In addition, you can also pulse small chunks of coconut in a food processor as well.
Learn more about Making An Easy Strawberry Shortcake Recipe With Angel Food Cake
Servings And Preparation
|
Bake Time |
Preparation Time | Servings |
| 0 minutes (6-7 if toasting as well) | 15 minutes |
1 cup |
How to Make Sweetened Coconut Flakes From Fresh Coconut?
It’s actually incredibly easy to make sweetened coconut flakes from coconut. For every cup of fresh coconut that you’d like to sweeten, you’ll need around 1/4 cup of water and four teaspoons of sugar. Once you have these ingredients, all you need to do is grab a saucepan and add the sugar and water.
Heat over low heat until the sugar dissolves and you’re left with syrup. Once you have syrup, add your cup of fresh coconut and mix well. Remove from heat and leave for several minutes; stirring intermittently. Now leave at room temperature to dry out. Once dry, store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place until ready to use.
How to Make Sweet Coconut Chips?
As the perfect sweet snack, coconut chips are ideal. The best part is, they don’t require many ingredients at all. To make your sweet coconut chips, you’ll need the following ingredients: 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, 1 teaspoon of coconut oil (melted), 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, a dash of salt, and 2 cups of unsweetened coconut flakes.
Now all you need to do is grab a bowl and add the vanilla extract, melted coconut oil, salt, and maple syrup. Mix well until combined. Once combined, fold in the coconut flakes and ensure they’re coated evenly with the maple syrup mixture. Now on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spread your chips onto the sheet.
If you have any maple syrup mixture left, you can pour this over the top of your chips. Place in the oven for around 10-12 minutes; check every 3-4 minutes. Once golden, remove from oven and leave to cool. Serve and enjoy!
Are Sweetened Coconut Flakes Vegan?
There is no reason why sweetened coconut flakes would not be vegan as it usually only contains ingredients such as coconut, sugar, and water. However, if you’re feeling unsure, it usually says on the packaging of most coconut flakes that the product is vegan. If this is not the case, it will have more information on the manufacturer’s website.
Is Desiccated Coconut Sweetened or Unsweetened?
If you’re wondering whether desiccated coconut is sweetened or unsweetened, it is usually unsweetened. Desiccated coconut is simply coconut that has been flaked and then dried.
How Much is Flaked Coconut?
Flaked coconut can vary in price depending on which brand you buy and whether the flaked coconut is sweetened or unsweetened. However, you can buy a flaked coconut from grocery stores such as Walmart. Their Great Value range has two flaked coconut sizes: $1.52 for 7 oz and $2.64 for 14 oz. They also offer an organic version, which is $2.64 for 7 oz.
What Temperature Do You Toast Coconut Flakes?
To toast coconut flakes effectively, the temperature should be at least 325F and no higher than 350F. All you need to do is place your coconut flakes on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper. Place in the center of your oven and bake for around 3 minutes.
What is the Shelf Life of Coconut Flakes?
The shelf life of coconut flakes is anywhere between four and six months. This is when they’re stored at room temperature. However, if stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container, they may last slightly longer.
Knowing How To Sweeten Coconut Flakes
If you are an avid baker, knowing how to sweeten unsweetened coconut is a great hack to have. Though you can buy sweetened coconut in the store, it often contains chemicals and preservatives. Making your own at home is not only simple but also even more delicious than store-bought.
It only takes three simple ingredients to make your sweetened coconut. Though granulated sugar is a great sweetener, you can also use natural sweeteners such as honey or maple syrup. Once you are done making it, be sure to let it fully dry before storing it in the fridge.
You can also toast your sweetened coconut as well if you are looking to enhance the texture. This will give it a lovely crunch that is great for using as a topping on your favorite desserts. It goes great on cakes, brownies, cookies, cheesecakes, mousse, yogurt, pies, ice cream, and parfaits.
Did you enjoy this tutorial on how to sweeten coconut flakes? If so, please share it with all your friends and family that also enjoy this popular tropical fruit.
Read more about How To Toast Shredded Coconut – 2 Fantastic Easy Methods
Sweetened Coconut
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- Parchment paper
- Cookie sheet
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup water
- 4 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, heat the water and sugar together with the heat set to medium.
- Add the coconut to the water and sugar mixture. Stir the mixture with the coconut until the water is absorbed. Once the water is absorbed, remove the coconut from the heat.
- Add the coconut to your baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let it dry.
Notes
Ever since she was a young girl, Anna has been a lover of desserts. As an adult, she enjoys
baking a variety of desserts from cakes, cookies, brownies, bread, and more from scratch. She
enjoys sharing her passion for baking with others who also have a sweet tooth. From properly
measuring ingredients to making sure they are the correct temperature, Anna knows the
importance small details can make in baking. She wants to share her experience with others in
hopes they can make the most delicious baked goods. When she’s not busy blogging, Anna
enjoys trying new recipes in the kitchen.