Deliciously sweet and simple to make. These easy coconut ice bites are so addictive.
Only 4 ingredients required. No baking, no specialist equipment - this is a brilliant recipe to make with the kids!
A lovely nostalgic treat that will take you right back to your childhood.
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Chris and I have always loved coconut ice. Whenever we used to visit the coast, we always made a point of wandering around the sweet shops to find homemade fudge or coconut ice. Now we live on the coast, we're in danger of eating this sweet treat for every snack!
It's so easy to make at home - we’re talking:
- 4 ingredients
- No special equipment
- No heating or baking
The method basically consists of mixing and roughly shaping. This means that the only difficult part is waiting for the uncut slab of coconut ice to dry before cutting into it and devouring that delicious coconut flavour.
📋 Ingredients for coconut ice
- Icing sugar (also known as confectioners' sugar)
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Dessicated coconut (unsweetened - this recipe is sweet enough!)
- Red food colouring - use food colouring gel for the most vibrant colour
📺 Watch how to make it
Full recipe with detailed steps in the recipe card at the end of this post.
👩🍳PRO TIP I leave mine to dry out in a cupboard, or I place a fly net on top - just to stop any flies getting near it!
I find it's easier to slice these coconut ice squares using a gently sawing motion, rather than pushing the knife directly down. Pushing the knife down can cause some of the pink layer to transfer onto the white when you cut.
These little cubes are super coconutty and very sweet, so it's a good idea to cut into small cubes. One or two cubes with a cup of tea is perfect!
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Easy Coconut Ice
Ingredients
- 397 g (14 oz) tin of condensed Milk
- 2 drops red food colouring gel
- 400 g (3 ¼ cups) confectioners' sugar (icing sugar) - sifted (plus extra for rolling/shaping)
- 320 g (3 ¼ cups) desiccated coconut
INSTRUCTIONS
- Split the condensed milk between two medium-sized bowls, and mix the red food colouring into one of them.397 g (14 oz) tin of condensed Milk, 2 drops red food colouring gel
- Add half of the confectioner’s sugar to one bowl and half to the other, and stir each bowl.400 g (3 ¼ cups) confectioners' sugar (icing sugar)
- Add in half of the desiccated coconut to one bowl and half to the other and mix each bowl again using a fork.320 g (3 ¼ cups) desiccated coconut
- The mixtures should come together into a shape-able ball at this point.
- Line a board or tray with baking parchment paper and dust it with a sprinkling of confectioners' sugar (icing sugar).
- Tip the white mixture out onto the baking parchment and sprinkle a little more confectioners' sugar on top. Use your hands to shape the mixture into a square or rectangle that is about ¾" thick. You can use a rolling pin to ensure the top is flat.
- On a separate board, shape the pink mixture – ensuring the square/rectangle is approx. the same length/width as the white one. *see Note1
- Transfer the pink slab on top of the white slab (use the baking parchment and flip the pink layer over carefully on top of the white layer, or use a large spatula to transfer). Squash it down very slightly so that the pink and white layers stick together.
- Leave, uncovered, to dry for 3-10 hours, and then cut into small cubes. I cut into 48 cubes - (6 cubes by 8 cubes) * see Note2
Video
✎ Notes
Nutrition
This post was first published in June 2015. Updated in July 2023 with new photos, video and a bit of housekeeping.
Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links – which means if you buy the product I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do buy, then thank you! That’s what helps us to keep Kitchen Sanctuary running. The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors. For more information please see our Terms & Conditions.
Cirsty says
Awesome
Tasneem says
Can you put it in the freezer to set?
Lizanne says
Easy as and totally delicious!
Denise says
do you mean sweetened condensed milk or unsweetened -- there's a difference.
thanks
Subashni says
Hi
A quick tip.. use an ice cube tray to mould the coconut mixture.. eg fill in the ice cube tray half each with 1 color and then top with another color and press down into it as much as possible.. once done wait 10 min for it to set.. turn over and twist n you have the little blocks falling out already in little cubes
Another tip .. before putting in the 1st color.. add a little of decorative baking beads in each little compartment then add your coconut mixture
MISS S PATTERSON says
Your ice cube tray trick saved the day! these come out neat and perfect that way, I could tell that doing it the way suggested was going to be a nightmare. The cubes are so cute it makes me want to try 3 colors next time
Toni says
Loved making this with my little one it's very easy to do and tastes amazing
Leilani says
Omg!! I have been making coconut ice for years at Christmas time. I have always made one batch and divided it to two and then add the colouring! Nightmare! So hard to mix and get the colour even! Never thought of adding the colour at the beginning! ...life changing!! Thank you
Desareen says
I use to make cooked coconut many years back but today they don't cook it at all wish I can find the one I use to make it included coconut,,milk,condensed milk,sugar and colouring cooked it for about 10min on stove top,can anyone remember how,will be much appreciated
Kathryn says
This recipe takes me back to my childhood, one of the first things I ever made with my mum. Thanks for reminding me:-)
Clare Taylor says
Hi what size of tin do you use please.
Thanks
Diana Wilson-Szakacs says
What is dessicated coconut never heard of it and why is it called coconut ice when it's not frozen?
Nicky Corbishley says
Hi Diana, dessicated coconut is finely shredded dried coconut. You can usually find it on the baking aisle. It may be called shredded coconut in some places.
I'm not sure of the origin of coconut ice, so I don't know why it's called that. It's been around for years. I guess the coconut shreds make it glisten slightly - so it could remind you of ice?
coconutcraze says
Beautiful! I love coconut and this is an easy treat to try!
Nicky Corbishley says
Hope you enjoy is Sriravi 🙂
Corina says
I've never heard of it either but it looks and sounds really tasty - i love coconut in sweet snacks.
Nicky Corbishley says
Thanks Corina 🙂
Loretta says
How wonderfully quick and simple these are, just the ticket for a hot summer's day! Love the blue 🙂
Nicky Corbishley says
Yeah, Lewis was never going to be happy with a pink version 🙂
June @ How to Philosophize with Cake says
Coconut ice--never heard of that, but it sounds tasty! Looks like it came straight out of an ice cream truck 🙂
Nicky Corbishley says
Thanks June 🙂