Coconut Balls Coquitos Recipes

COCONUT BALLS (COQUITOS)

Steps:

• Drain syrup from coconut. Reserve syrup.
• Mix coconut, brown sugar, and vanilla in a medium size saucepan.
• Cook over medium heat for a few minutes then allow to cool.
• Make small balls on buttered cookie sheet and set aside.
• Mix coconut syrup and white sugar in small saucepan and cook over medium heat.
• Stir frequently until it becomes dark brown.
• Pour over balls and allow to cool.

COQUITO BALLS (CARIBBEAN-STYLE RUM BALLS)

Steps:

• Place coconut flakes in food processor and pulse until finely chopped with some chunks of coconut still visible; do not process to a powdered consistency. Transfer to a bowl and mix with 1/4 cup of powdered sugar. Set aside.
• Process coconut cookies in batches in the food processor until they become fine crumbs. When all cookies have been processed, measure 5 cups crumbs and pour them into a large mixing bowl. Discard any additional crumbs or reserve for another use.
• Add remaining 1 cup powdered sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the mixing bowl and mix with cookie crumbs until well combined.
• Mix together rum and sweetened condensed milk in a small measuring cup; pour slowly into the cookie crumb mixture, stirring to combine. Mix everything until well blended.
• Use your hands to form dough into about thirty-six 1 1/4-inch balls. Roll each ball in the reserved coconut-sugar mixture until well coated, lightly pressing in the coconut topping. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve or gift.