Coconut Nougatine Sticks Recipes

COCONUT NOUGATINE STICKS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350F.
• Position rack in the center of the oven.
• Lightly oil a marble slab or hard plastic cutting board, a rolling pin, a large chef's knife, and a metal pastry scraper.
• Spread the coconut on a baking sheet.
• Bake for approx 5 mins, stirring often, until lightly toasted.
• Remove from oven and cover with aluminium foil to keep warm.
• Pour water, corn syrup and sugar into a heavy saucepan.
• Bring to boil over low heat, swirling the pan occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
• Increase heat to high and cook, swirling occasionally, until syrup is light amber in color, about 2 1/2 mins.
• Remove from heat and stir in coconut.
• Pour onto the oiled work surface and cool until outer edges begin to set, about 45 sec.
• Using the oiled pastry scraper, fold the nougatine from the edges to the center.
• Fold a few times to cool the nougatine slightly.
• Using the oiled rolling pin, roll the nougatine into a rectangle, with 1/8 inch thickness.
• If it's too hot, it will stick to rolling pin; if too cold, transfer to an oiled baking sheet and place in warm oven until softened.
• Before the mass cools and hardens, cut the nougatine into 5x1/4-inch sticks with the oiled knife.
• Separate the sticks as you cut them.
• Cool until firm.
• The nougatine sticks may be prepared up to 3 days in advance; store them in an airtight container at room temperature.

COCONUT CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350F.
• Grease and flour sixteen medium (2 3/4 inch) muffin cups, tap out excess flour, or line them with cupcake liners.
• Sift flour, baking powder and salt together onto a piece of wax paper; set aside.
• Beat butter on medium speed until lighter in color. Add sugar in a steady stream, then stop the mixer to scrape down the bowl.
• Return to medium speed and beat until mixture is very light in color and texture, stopping occasionally to scrape down the bowl.
• Add the slightly beaten egg (ensure it's at room temperature) a tablespoon at a time. If mixture looks curdled, stop, increase mixer speed to high and beat until mixture looks smooth and shiny again.
• In 3 additions, add flour mixture, alternating with 2 additions of coconut milk. (flour-milk-flour-milk-flour) After each addition, scrape down the sides and beat until smooth.
• Beat in vanilla extract with the final addition of coconut milk.
• Using a rubber spatula, fold in the coconut flakes and almonds (if using).
• Spoon the batter into prepared cups, filling them about 2/3 full. Sprinkle the top with some toasted almond flakes, if desired.
• Bake for 20 mins, until the tops spring back when lightly pressed and a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean.
• Transfer the pan to a wire rack, cool for 10 mins. Remove cupcakes from the pan and cool completely on wire rack, top side up.
• If using the nougatine sticks: Just before serving, poke two nougatine sticks into each cupcake in a crisscross fashion.