Chancacas are a traditional Colombian dessert very easy to make and delicious. These little sweet treats are perfect with a glass of cold milk.
What are Chancacas?
It's a traditional dessert from Buenaventura Colombia, a seaport city on the Pacific Ocean. This candy is made with coconut and panela (sugar cane) and is a delight in every way.
Chancacas (Colombian-Style Coconut Candy)
Ingredients
- 5 cups of shredded coconut
- 2 cups of water
- 16 oz of panela
- Zest of 1 lime
- 2 cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- In a medium pot over medium heat, place the panela, water and lime zest. Cook for about 15 minutes.
- Add the coconut and cinnamon stick. Stir well and cook for about 30 minutes more or until the mixture is thick. Discard the cinnamon sticks.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Pour the mixture into the prepared sheet. Press the mixture evenly into the sheet. Cool for at least 2 hours before cutting into squares. Serve at room temperature.
Notes
Keep them up to a week in a sealed container.
Nutrition
Calories: 395kcalCarbohydrates: 64gProtein: 2gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 29mgPotassium: 257mgFiber: 5gSugar: 58gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 65mgIron: 2mg
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Using fresh coconut makes this dessert sensational but you can also use dried shredded coconut. This coconut candy is very sweet and has a chewy texture. It is very similar to cocadas and panelitas, which are other popular coconut candies in Colombia.
To make this recipe you can use fresh grated coconut or a good dried shredded coconut. Also panela can be found in Latin markets or in Amazon.
More easy Colombian treats to make:
Belinda @zomppa
Looks like such a perfect sweet ending to a good meal. I love that you offer a tall glass of milk with this!
Jenn and Seth
such a fun treat! looks yummy!
Phil
I have got to say that i have a very sweet tooth and i love coconut so how could i not love these. My mouth is watering just looking at the pictures.
grace
i would just dig into that bowl of sticky goo with my fingers and be done with it--what a treat!
Jennette
Looks delish!
Heather B
Im soo excited to make these!! Thank you!
Eva
Saw the recipe and decided I had to try it. I'm so glad I did.My husband liked them a lot.
Erica
Thank you everyone for all your comment and feedback!
Phil
So. How do you make Panela. There is lots of sugar cane here - Australia. Could I make it at home? Or with the syrup from freshly squoze sugar cane?
Erica
Phil, I buy the panela. I don't have a recipe for homemade panela.
wilbert cacafranca
Id like to share on how to make your own Panela (Latik in Tagalog/Philippines). The above recipe/item we call it Bokhayo. Here is the engridients on how to make your own panela to make a pefect Chancacas/coconut candy.
1. 1kg of sugar (either brown or white)
2. 2 liters of coconut milk (buy the coco milk in can)
3. shredded coconut
in a pan mix all together, stir in low heat til become sticky, then add the shredded coconut, approx. cooking time 1 hr. you will then have a shinny sticky sweety Chancacas/coconut candy/bokhayo.
Kit Wai
hi , thanks for sharing the recipe .
May i know panela is it palm sugar ?
MR
How did you shred the fresh coconut?
Did you remove the outer dark skin of the coconut before shredding?
I ate this sweet in Costa Rica last week,so delicious.
We make similar one in India but without cinnamon and lime zest.
Thanks for the recipe.
Erica Dinho
Yes
Madison
I have to bring a colombian snake for my Spanish presentation and think that these are going to turn out wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing!
Stacy
I made these and they would not stick together.