Coconut Ice

When we were in Devon last month, we bought a little bag of mixed fudge from a local craft shop, to share as we wandered around the countryside. It was all yummy, but one of the squares wasn't fudge at all - it was coconut ice.

I'd forgotten how much I love this delight in pink and white.

This may well be the least healthy thing on the planet, but I don't care, it's worth it for the pure coconut taste. It's insanely simple to make, too. I remember making it at school.

I will try to make fudge soon, probably some time this summer. Meanwhile, here's a child-friendly recipe (no heat required) for a pretty and tasty treat.

Coconut Ice
(Makes 64 squares)

400g tin condensed milk
300g icing sugar
400g dessicated coconut
red food colouring

1. Empty the condensed milk into a large mixing bowl and add the icing sugar. Stir until the mixture is smooth.
   
   
2. Add the coconut and mix thoroughly. You may want to knead it with your hands (but be warned, you will get very, very sticky!).
   
   
3. Line a 8in square dish with greaseproof paper (note: my dish was 1in deep and it was just big enough to fit all the mixture in).
   
   
4. Divide the coconut mixture in half, and press half of it into the bottom of the tin, smoothing it with your hands or a spatula to give a level surface.
   
   
5. Use a tiny amount of food colouring to colour the remainder of the mixture pink (note: this stage is optional, but traditional).
   
   
6. Press the remaining coconut mixture into the tin, to create a second layer. Again, level the surface.
   
   
7. Refrigerate for a couple of hours, then cut into 1in squares and spread out to allow them to dry out further.
   
   
8. Serve and enjoy! It would probably keep for quite a while if you store it in the fridge, but in this house, I don't think we'll find out....