Coconut Sugar Cake

sugar cakes Coconut sugar cakes are known to every school child in Trinidad and Tobago. These confections are one of several ‘tuck shop’ (cafeteria) staples and are also commonly available from corner stores and street vendors. Made from grated coconut they are traditionally cut into squares comprised of 2 layers and/or colors (one pink, the other white). As the only binder used is crystallized sugar syrup these desserts, literally melt in your mouth. I used to make them quite regularly in my little kitchen in Connecticut. It was a way of bringing fond memories and a little piece of home to life :)

The following recipe for Coconut Sugar Cakes comes from Rita Springer’s Caribbean Cookbook. This book is also featured in Shop @ Veni Mang?ɬ©!


Coconut Sugar Cake

2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon Angostura bitters
1/2 cup water
1 cup grated coconut

1. Boil sugar and water together until syrupy
2. Test a few drops in a saucer with cold water
3. When it forms a soft ball remove from the heat
4. Cool a little then beat mixture until very thick and it begins to crystallize
5. Stir in bitters and coconut
6. Blend well and pour into a greased shallow pan (8x8x1).
7. Cut into 2 inch squares.
8. Work quickly and do not overbeat mixture

My note: Remember, it is traditional to dye half the mixture pink :)

About

Passionate foodie, founder of Trinigourmet and Caribbean Lifestyle Maven. Author of "Glam By Request: 30+ Easy Caribbean Recipes"

You are here: Home // desserts, pareve, vegetarian // Coconut Sugar Cake

24 Responses to " Coconut Sugar Cake "

  1. burekaboy says:

    mmmmm….purty (or should i say “sexxay”?) LOL

    love the hot pink top! :) have to try these out on one of my pink obsessed friends.

    dunno about the angostura though. never tried it. bitter scares me. actually, it makes me gag. do you taste it in these?

  2. burekaboy says:

    mmmmm….purty (or should i say “sexxay”?) LOL

    love the hot pink top! :) have to try these out on one of my pink obsessed friends.

    dunno about the angostura though. never tried it. bitter scares me. actually, it makes me gag. do you taste it in these?

  3. burekaboy says:

    mmmmm….purty (or should i say “sexxay”?) LOL

    love the hot pink top! :) have to try these out on one of my pink obsessed friends.

    dunno about the angostura though. never tried it. bitter scares me. actually, it makes me gag. do you taste it in these?

  4. Sarina says:

    Burekaboy – if you never tried it how you know it makes you gag? why it scare you? :(

  5. Sarina says:

    Burekaboy – if you never tried it how you know it makes you gag? why it scare you? :(

  6. burekaboy says:

    reflexive response! i can’t stand bitter things. ever try karela or rapini?? UGGH. :O it’s probably liquid form!! (angostura) :) )

    i always see it in the supermarket, too but have only ever associated it with alcoholic beverages.

  7. burekaboy says:

    reflexive response! i can’t stand bitter things. ever try karela or rapini?? UGGH. :O it’s probably liquid form!! (angostura) :) )

    i always see it in the supermarket, too but have only ever associated it with alcoholic beverages.

  8. burekaboy says:

    reflexive response! i can’t stand bitter things. ever try karela or rapini?? UGGH. :O it’s probably liquid form!! (angostura) :) )

    i always see it in the supermarket, too but have only ever associated it with alcoholic beverages.

  9. Sarina says:

    Burekaboy – Hee you talking about the green bumpy thing (what we call carili)? … heh.. we use that as the ‘bitter taste’ on the seder plate :) Yeah that’s pretty damn nasty. No… bitters (at least Angostura) is a very light orangy citrusy blend of tastes.. It is used extensively in food preparation here … as well as sprinkled on icecream and juices. It’s very versatile. I use it in meat marinades, as well as in desserts (in addition to or as a replacement to vanilla/almond essence, depending on my mood)

    www.trinigourmet.com/index.php/angostura-bitters-the-taste-of-trinidad/
    www.trinigourmet.com/index.php/the-bitters-truth-saveur-magazine/

    :)

  10. Sarina says:

    Burekaboy – Hee you talking about the green bumpy thing (what we call carili)? … heh.. we use that as the ‘bitter taste’ on the seder plate :) Yeah that’s pretty damn nasty. No… bitters (at least Angostura) is a very light orangy citrusy blend of tastes.. It is used extensively in food preparation here … as well as sprinkled on icecream and juices. It’s very versatile. I use it in meat marinades, as well as in desserts (in addition to or as a replacement to vanilla/almond essence, depending on my mood)

    www.trinigourmet.com/index.php/angostura-bitters-the-taste-of-trinidad/
    www.trinigourmet.com/index.php/the-bitters-truth-saveur-magazine/

    :)

  11. ChrystalLily says:

    Oh thank you soooo much for this recipe from the Sugar Cake, I remember it from my childhood days on growing up in St.Maarten, I always loved sugar cake but never knew the recipe, Thank You!!!!!

    With friendly greetings,

    ChrystalLily

  12. ChrystalLily says:

    Oh thank you soooo much for this recipe from the Sugar Cake, I remember it from my childhood days on growing up in St.Maarten, I always loved sugar cake but never knew the recipe, Thank You!!!!!

    With friendly greetings,

    ChrystalLily

  13. denise says:

    where do i buy angostura bitters??

  14. denise says:

    where do i buy angostura bitters??

  15. denise says:

    where do i buy angostura bitters??

  16. Dana says:

    once you pour the mixture in the pan is that it? How do you get the top pink mixture?

  17. Dana says:

    once you pour the mixture in the pan is that it? How do you get the top pink mixture?

  18. NAOMI says:

    IT'S A VERY SWEET TREAT AND ENYONE WHO TRYS IT WILL LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE IT. A VERY NICE SWEET.LOVE NAOMI

  19. NAOMI says:

    IT'S A VERY SWEET TREAT AND ENYONE WHO TRYS IT WILL LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE IT. A VERY NICE SWEET.LOVE NAOMI

© 2010-2013 TriniGourmet.com All Rights Reserved

Trinigourmet is a division of SarinaNow.com