Caroline's Easy Baking Lessons

Wonderful Desicatted/Shredded Coconut

Coconut, coconut, nearly everyone loves coconut! And people who are not keen on nuts in their bakes, generally like coconut. For us bakers, desiccated coconut in the UK & shredded unsweetened coconut, is something we always have in our baking cupboard or pantry. It lasts a long time and doesn’t need anything done to it before using. You could of course toast it, but if adding to the top of your bake before going in the oven, that isn’t even required.

TOP TIP – When a recipe calls for desiccated coconut, it can be replaced with US/Canadian unsweetened shredded coconut. This is the nearest equivalent to our UK coconut. Note, however, US shredded coconut is bigger than our UK coconut pieces. See my photo here for a comparison. Photo on the left is UK desiccated coconut and the one of the right US unsweetened shredded coconut, (photo on the right is taken by fellow baker Sharie, thanks Sharie :)) So depending on what you are making, you might want to lightly chop the shredded coconut.

For more on differences between UK & US/Canadian baking ingredients, click for my article. You might also be interested in my Measurement Conversion Table for common baking ingredients.

Perfect Pairing

I my opinion, coconut pairs so well with raspberry. And that doesn’t need to be fresh raspberries either. It works so well with raspberry jam, in the bake or even on top after baking. They are a perfect pair! Jam being another time saver for the busy baker. So it’s not surprising, that many of my recipes consist of raspberry and coconut 🙂 Below are just some of my recipes that I have updated and uploaded onto the new site here. More will be added in due course. So have a look and see if anything takes your fancy 😉

PROTEIN ‘POWER-BALL’ TRUFFLES

Try my easy, no-bake chocolate truffles, dipped in coconut of course!

Go to Protein Chocolate truffles recipe

Just one other coconut tip – Coconut flour is gluten free, and even coconut sugar is good in baking (with it’s slightly caramelised taste), as I have found I can use 25% less than when using white sugar. The carbs in coconut flour too are mostly dietary fibre. So both are better for diabetics. Check here soon for some of the old recipes from the previous site that include these ingredients.

PINEAPPLE & COCONUT BANANA BREAD

Pineapple & Coconut Banana Bread is my tropical version of well-loved Banana Bread. Super simple to make and freezes really well too, even frosted.

Go to Pineapple Coconut Banana Bread

CHOCOLATE & COCONUT SCOTTISH SHORTBREAD

Chocolate & Coconut Scottish Shortbread is based on my traditional Scottish shortbread recipe, with a melt-in-the-mouth texture, just as we make them here in Scotland.

Go to Chocolate Coconut Scottish Shortbread

COCONUT & RASPBERRY JAM SPONGE SQUARES

This is beginner recipe no.1 in the lessons, as it’s super simple, in execution and decoration. But, very tasty and a lovely moist cake.

Go to Raspberry Jam Coconut Squares

Here’s a quick video of the process:

COCONUT ICE

Coconut Ice – The No-bake Quick Sweet Treat. Perfect gifting candy, anytime of the year but super cute for Valentine’s day & easy too! Get the kiddies involved and get their hands messy!

Go to Coconut Ice recipe

Lamingtons – Australia’s Light Coconut Sponge Cakes

Lamingtons are Australia’s light, coconut Sponge cakes made from a Genoise sponge. Traditionally dipped in chocolate and then coated in coconut, raspberry jam is a popular alternative.

Go to Lamington Cakes recipe

COCONUT PARADISE SLICES

This is one of my popular recipes, with not only coconut but raspberry jam! Consists of a shortbread-type base layer, then jam and a coconut batter on top. And you can use any jam you like 🙂

Go to coconut paradise slices

I also have an Xmas version too with mincemeat

CHOCOLATE DIGESTIVE BISCUITS WITH COCONUT

Here’s my version of a British classic biscuit, with coconut not just on top, but in the dough too!

Go to Chocolate Digestive recipe

Here’s my video of making these biscuits