Five-ingredient, quick, naturally gluten-free Brazilian Coconut Bars (or Cocada de Leite Condensado) made with sweetened condensed milk is the recipe of the day!
It has been a long time since I had the pleasure of munching on my favorite Brazilian dessert bars– but finally, I will have to wait no longer…
For those who may not know, cocadas are a tropical treat typical to Northeastern Brazil -- although also found in Angola, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and Chile.
This dessert is no stranger to this blog. As I explained in one of my previous posts, these coconut bars can present three different types of textures: cocada de corte (the traditional texture– either a slightly chewy or crisp dessert bar), cocada de forno (baked in the oven), and cocada cremosa, de copo or mole (which has a pudding-like, creamy texture).
We have already presented a recipe for cocada cremosa (banana-coconut pudding) as well as for cocada de forno (baked coconut-sweet potato custard) last year. This time, however, our recipe is for cocada de corte.
This particular recipe of cocada de corte uses condensed milk, coconut, and sugar. This is a contemporary cocada recipe, since the traditional recipe calls for water instead of condensed milk. Because thesecocadas de leite condensado are very sweet, they are sliced into small portions.
I remember vividly that I used to prefer nibbling on them instead of cookies while watching TV. Also, it was always such a thrill to purchase these from the street vendors at the Alto da Sé in Olinda.
"Um tabuleiro de cocada" (large treat tray carried by street vendors) can be an attraction all its own. In general, it comes lined with cocadas of different flavors and of course, colors. From cocadas pretas (burnt coconut bars) to those made from assorted fruits such as passion fruit, banana, and guava, it has always been hard to choose just one. Brazilians' fascination with this coconut dessert can be only compared to Americans' obsession with cookies. 🙂
I hope you do enjoy our coconut bars as much as I did... My eyes always light up when I see one -- like a child when she catches sight of her favorite candy! These coconut bars are as delish as this crunch bars recipe!
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What is your favorite sweet bar?
Brazilian Coconut Bars (Cocada)
Ingredients
- 1 can can of sweetened condensed milk 14 oz or 396 g
- 1¼ cups unsweetened coconut flakes
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ½ tablespoon softened unsalted butter plus more for greasing
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Grease well with butter both the bottom and sides of a 8 x 8-inch baking pan. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, combine condensed milk, coconut, and sugar. Cook over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes (large burner) or more (small burner), stirring constantly, until mixture has thickened enough to detached from the bottom and sides of of the pan.
- Remove from the heat, immediately stir in ½ Tablespoon of butter, and then the vanilla.
- Pour hot mixture into the prepared baking pan, spreading well with a large spoon or spatula until leveled uniformly. Let cool slightly on a rack and cut into squares while mixture has not completely solidified. Let them cool down before handling.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
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Peg says
These sound awesome... wondering if anyone has attempted adding almonds or pecans to these... thoughts?
Valentina Dimitrova says
I added finely chopped pecans once to a similar recipe. I think it will work well for this recipe too. I would add them at the very end, about 3-5 minutes before removing the pan from the heat.
Debbie says
When I was in Brazil, I had coconut pancake ( I don't know what they are called). Women sold them on the street They tasted like coconut and sugar. They were big flakes of coconut and flat like a pancake. I ate so many that my boyfriend hid them on me. We were in the north part of Brazil. The women sold all kinds of food on the street. Do you know what they were made out of. I also ate some kind of grilled sandwich. It might have been white cheese and banana, but that was in Rio. This was 35 years ago. When I came home I tried to make this stuff, but had no luck.
Valentina Dimitrova says
Hi, Debbie! Welcome to FBTY!
I think the coconut pancakes you are talking about are tapioca crepes filled with coconut. 🙂 There is a recipe for tapioca crepes in my blog. Here is the link to make the "pancakes" or crepes: https://www.frombraziltoyou.org/brazilian-breakfast-and-tapioca-crepes-with-cheese/
Instead of filling them with cheese like I did (there are tapioca crepes filled with different fillings --both savory and sweet), you fill them with a mixture of coconut flakes and either sweetened condensed milk or sweetened coconut milk. I say that because there are 2 types of coconut filling for our tapioca crepes. If the ones that you ate were wet, they are traditionally dumped in a mixture of coconut flakes and sweetened coconut milk. If they were dry but with a moist filling, it was coconut flakes with sweetened condensed milk.
The grilled cheese with banana is called cartola. It is a typical dish from my home state, Pernambuco -- although is available in other states such as Rio. Here is the link for its recipe:
https://www.easyanddelish.com/cartola-pernambuco/
Please, let me know if you have any other questions. Have a great weekend!
Debbie says
Thank you so much. I can't wait to try them.
Valentina Dimitrova says
My pleasure, Debbie! If you have any additional questions, I'll be happy to answer them! Have a fun summer!
Debbie says
Just made the bars and these are it. So excited!!! They made them like flat round cookies and used large pieces of coconut.I was on an island off of Salvador. Banana sandwich next.Thanks sooo much.:)
Valentina Dimitrova says
I am so glad that you enjoyed cocadas (Brazilian coconut bars/cookies), Debbie!
When you first talked about coconut pancakes, I thought you were talking about tapioca crepes filled with coconut. 🙂 I am glad that you found the recipe that you needed here. Enjoy!!!
Judit & Corina @Wine Dine daily says
Mmm such a wonderful and simple dessert, Denise! We also flirted with coconut in the last week and have some left over to make your 5 ingredient super delicious bars. Love the beautiful photos from your paradise 🙂
Cheers,
J+C
Valentina Dimitrova says
Thanks, ladies! I hope you can make these bars and enjoy...Coconut is one of my fave ingredients.
cquek says
Maybe Ill skip my workout and hit the grocery store!
Valentina Dimitrova says
You won't regret it, cquek!
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
Your little bars brought back memories of when I lived in Santo Domingo. The hotel where we were staying, would leave little bars that sound similar to yours each evening at turndown. They were very good.
Valentina Dimitrova says
Hi, Karen! This is somewhat similar to caramel fudge bars that many Hispanic countries have (and also Brazil) although these ones take coconut flakes. I bet the Dominican bars were amazing!
Krissie - Pearls of Style says
I love anything coconut and these sound really lovely. It's nice to hear about them being steeped in your memory; those foods are always the best.
Krissie x - https://pearlsofstyle.blogspot.com.au
Valentina Dimitrova says
Thank you, Krissie! Yes, I do have great memories growing up in Brazil and also eating these bars.