Cocada Amarela (Angolan Coconut and Egg Yolk Sweet)
Local name: Cocada amarela
In short: A dense, golden sweet of coconut and egg yolks cooked in a cinnamon and lemon syrup, cooled and cut into squares for celebrations. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 2 h 30 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 360 kcal
Cocada amarela, the yellow coconut sweet, is a classic Angolan party dessert, a dense, golden mix of coconut, egg yolks and sugar syrup scented with cinnamon and lemon zest. It shows the Portuguese tradition of egg-yolk sweets, made with local coconut. It is served in small squares at birthdays, weddings and Christmas. The syrup is cooked briefly, and the yolks are warmed gently so the sweet turns custardy, not scrambled.
Instructions
- Lightly oil an 18 cm (7 inch) square dish and line the base with baking paper.
- Put the sugar, water, cinnamon stick and lemon zest in a pot and stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Boil without stirring for 8 minutes until it forms a light syrup, about 105°C (220°F).
- Add the coconut and salt and cook over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring, until the coconut has absorbed most of the syrup.
- Whisk the egg yolks in a bowl. Whisk in a ladle of the hot coconut mixture, then pour the yolk mixture back into the pot, stirring.
- Cook over low heat for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring constantly, until thick and custardy. Do not let it boil.
- Remove the cinnamon stick and zest, then stir in the vanilla. Spread the mixture into the dish, smoothing the top.
- Cool at room temperature for 2 hours, then chill for 30 minutes. Cut into squares and serve cold.
Tips
- Keep the heat low after the yolks go in and stir the whole base of the pot. High heat scrambles the yolks and turns the sweet grainy.
- For a toasted top, brush the cooled dish with a little syrup or egg yolk and place it under a hot broiler for 1 to 2 minutes.
Questions and answers
Can I use sweetened coconut?
It is better to use unsweetened coconut, so you control the sugar. If you only have sweetened, reduce the sugar to 150 g (3/4 cup).
How long does cocada amarela keep?
Covered, it keeps for 5 days in the fridge. Bring it to room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
What do I do with the leftover egg whites?
Freeze them for up to 3 months, or use them for meringues, macarons or an omelette.
How long does it take to make Cocada Amarela (Angolan Coconut and Egg Yolk Sweet)?
About 40 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Cocada Amarela (Angolan Coconut and Egg Yolk Sweet)?
About 360 kcal per serving, with 5 g of protein, 38 g of carbohydrates and 21 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 360 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 38 g |
| Fat | 21 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 33 g |
| Sodium | 45 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
