There are lots of different types of coconut desserts, from pies, puddings, to cookies and even ice cream. Even a simple gelatin can become a coconut dessert if plain water is replaced with coconut water or milk. Some of the more popular coconut desserts are macaroons, coconut pie, and coconut cake, which has different varieties.
The macaroon is a baked dessert and can resemble a bite-sized cake or a cookie, depending on the variety. Originally, its main ingredient was ground nuts, specifically almonds, but the inclusion of coconut became popular and, in some recipes, almonds were not included. Coconut macaroons are mainly made of desiccated coconut, egg whites, and sugar. Condensed milk can also be included or can replace the sugar. Macaroons can be topped with shaved nuts or dipped in chocolate.
Another baked coconut dessert to make is the coconut pie. One variety of the pie involves filling a pie crust with big pieces of coconut meat slightly cooked in condensed milk and covering it with a top crust before baking. Another version is the French coconut pie, which uses shredded coconut, whether desiccated or fresh, instead of the big pieces. Some wet ingredients, such as butter and eggs, are used to bind the shredded coconut together, along with some sugar and other ingredients as sweetener. The filling is then poured in the pie crust, but is often left uncovered with a top crust, creating a very crunchy external shell of toasted coconuts.
Coconut cakes are also popular coconut desserts that can be baked for special occasions, such as during Christmases, weddings, and birthdays. Many coconut cakes often call for layers, with white cream frosting in between the cake layers. After assembly, the cake can then be completely covered with frosting and sprinkled with shredded coconut. The cake can be served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a la mode style. The recipe for coconut cakes can also be the basis for making coconut cupcakes.
Other coconut desserts are coconut sorbet, rice pudding cooked in coconut milk, and even deep-fried coconut puffs. As an ingredient, the coconut fruit is very versatile and can be a healthier and more flavorful substitute for some ingredients. Desiccated coconut can partly replace flour, and coconut milk extracted from the meat can be used in place of dairy milk. The taste of the coconut also makes for good desserts as the fruit’s flavor is clean, refreshing, and cleanses the palette after a meal.