A Great Coconut Candy Recipe!

January 18th, 2010

I’ve had a little bit of luck trying out various coconut candy recipes lately, and while I still don’t have one for the very basic type of coconut candies I want to make, I did find a very tasty recipe for peanut butter and coconut candies. While it’s not exactly what I’ve been looking for, it’s quite delicious and so I really want to share it here. If you do try the recipe, please let me know as I’d love to get other opinions on it. Also, if you have a recipe for a very plain type of coconut based candy that will hold together well (without much sugar or corn syrup), then I’d really appreciate an email. Furthermore, I’m on the lookout for chocolate coconut candy recipes, so I’d love to have some of those. Anyhow, here is the recipe, with directions. Oh, and it’s no bake!

First, the ingredients you’ll need:

1 cup of smooth peanut butter
1/4 cup of honey
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups of coconut

Now, the directions, which really are so simple that a kid can do it:

1 In a large bowl, combine vanilla honey and peanut butter and mix
2 Spread coconut out on a cookie sheet, baking pan, class pan, anything large really
3 Make small balls out of peanut butter mix (about an inch in diameter), and roll in coconut until covered
4 Refrigerate coconut balls for at least thirty minutes
5 Eat and enjoy!

Coconut Candies – Health Benefits

January 11th, 2010

The same health benefits found in eating many coconut products and foods can also be found in coconut candies, so long as they are not saturated which sugar or other non healthy foods. Really, even chocolate coconut candy can be considered healthy, as long as it is made with a dark chocolate, as very dark chocolate is known to be healthy in small quantities, and is actually very healthy for the heart. The great thing about coconut candies, is not only can they be very good for us, but they are an easy candy to make as you’ll want to use few ingredients in making them. I mean, why would you want to add a bunch of ingredients that will overshadow the wonderful flavor of the coconut itself? And if you didn’t enjoy the natural flavor of coconut, you likely wouldn’t be eating (let alone making), these candies in the first place, right?

One of the benefits of eating coconut goods include that it is a good source of dietary fiber, something that most North Americans do not get nearly enough of. The dietary fiber found in coconut flesh and other foods is helpful for anyone who is trying to relieve constipation. Coconut is also used by some as an energy booster, and there are also studies out that claim coconut is beneficial in reducing HIV viral loads, as well preventing simply goiter. Of course some of these claims are very big and will require additional research studies in order to verify, but they are believed by some.

Healthy Coconut Candy

January 10th, 2010

I have recently been reading a lot about the various health benefits that coconuts offer, and so would love to start enjoying a daily snack of coconut candy in order to reap the rewards of eating coconut based foods. The idea to actually make and eat coconut candies, as opposed to simply eating coconut in other forms came from a recent trip to Hawaii I took, where I was lucky enough to try delicious candy made of coconut and really enjoyed it. While I had at first considered it to be a delightful snack and an indulgence, the locals I was with assured me that coconut is actually very healthy, and as the candy didn’t contain much sugar or other less than healthful ingredients,  and so that it, too, was good for me. However, it wasn’t until I reached home that I decided to make my own coconut treats or start eating coconut daily, so unfortunately I wasn’t able to get their coconut recipe in order to make the candy with.

Anyhow, I’ve been scouring the web for coconut candy recipes that I think will resemble the candy I tried in Hawaii (as I want mine to be as similar as possible), but haven’t had too much luck yet. However, one I find the perfect recipe I’ll be sure to post it here for you guys. I also want to add some information on the health benefits of coconuts, as I’m continuously learning that there are indeed many, and that’s something that we all can appreciate.