Coconut ice (sometimes Cocoanut ice)[1] is a British confectionery prepared using grated desiccated coconut or just grated coconut, condensed milk and sugar, which is formed to create a solid, soft candy.[2][3][4] It typically has a chewy, soft and mildly grainy texture;[5][4] some versions are semi-hard.[2] Coconut ice is also available in South Africa,[6] some areas of Australia,[7] and New Zealand.[8]
Pink food colouring is sometimes added, often on half of the sweet, resulting in pink and white colouration.[9][5] This is done by layering the coloured mixture with a separate layer of uncoloured product, and then slicing the result into individual pieces.[4] In modern versions, honey gelatin is sometimes also used as an ingredient.[2]
History
Coconut ice was traditionally prepared at home in Britain, traditionally using coconut and boiled sugar syrup.[2][4] Early versions using sugar syrup had a short shelf life, sometimes dried out and became excessively grainy in texture, and sometimes fermented.[2] The origin of use of the word "ice" in the confectionery's name is not known, but it may have derived from its general appearance and colouration.[4]
An Australian recipe for "cocoanut ice" [sic] included the ingredient copha, an Australian form of vegetable fat shortening made from hydrogenated coconut oil also referred to as "white cloud".[10]
In America, a similar pre-packaged confection is sold under the name Neapolitan Coconut by Brach's and similar names by other confectioners. They typically add a third layer that is flavored with chocolate.