Doce de Coco

Doce de coco is a traditional Cape Verdean coconut sweet. This profile follows a complete Cape Verdean version in which freshly grated coconut is cooked with white and brown sugars, then brightened with lemon zest.

Coconut supplies a mellow, tropical richness while caramelised brown sugar gives the candy a deeper toasted note. Lemon zest adds a fresh citrus lift that keeps the concentrated sweetness from tasting flat.

The finished candy is dense, chewy and slightly fibrous from the grated coconut. It sets into firm squares or diamonds with a warm caramel colour and a faint buttery sheen.