Last Updated on December 20, 2019 by Chef Mireille
Coquito Acaramelados
Cuban Caramel Coconut Balls made easy with store bought Dulce de Leche, if you don’t want to bother making the Caramel Sauce.
For those who don’t know, Miami is home to the largest Cuban population in the United States, centered around Calle Ocho, or 8th Street. Every March there is a huge carnival celebrated in Little Havana, as the neighborhood is affectionately called. Cubanos, Pernil, Empanadas and other Cuban treats are feasted upon while carnival goers dance to salsa. This past Sunday was the 40th year of this celebration of Cuban culture. One of the sweet treats that you can enjoy on Calle Ocho is Coquito Acaramelados – Cuban Caramel Coconut Balls – now who can resist that?
Caramel Sauce
Do you have some things you make that are a hit or miss? Sometimes you make it perfectly the first time around and other days you can try again and again but just cant get the results you want. That is me with caramel sauce.
Today was a miss day. After two failed attempts, I gave up and instead used the bottle of Dulce de Leche I had for the caramel sauce. However, the instructions below I wrote to make the homemade caramel sauce which I have done in the past so I know the recipe works. It just wouldn’t work today. But truth me told, I loved these Coquito Acaramelados – Cuban Caramel Coconut Balls even plain without the caramel sauce. They were just as delicious.
This week I have been focusing on festivals around the world that occur in March – we explored Irish, Aruban and Cuban culture. I hope you enjoyed the journey!
Don’t miss out on some of the other Cuban delicacies I’ve whipped up in the past!
Cuban Recipes
- Torticos de Moron – Cuban Sugar Cookies
- Whole Wheat Medianoche – Sweet Sandwich Buns
This is a great treat to serve at parties or bring to any potluck and they are so quick to put together. Who can complain?
Coquito Acaramelados – Cuban Caramel Coconut Balls
Ingredients
- 3 cups dessicated coconut
- 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Caramel Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- In a heavy bottomed saucepan, combine coconut, condensed milk and vanilla. Cook, stirring constantly over medium heat, for 15 minutes.
- To make caramel, combine sugar and water and cook over low heat for about 10 minutes, until it starts to change color. Leave to cool for 5 minutes.
- As soon as the coconut mixture is cool enough to handle, form into 18 balls. When it starts to stick to your hands, wet your hands.
- Dip balls in the caramel sauce and leave to set.
Notes
Nutrition
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It’s like coconut ladoo drenched in caramel sauce.Yummy.i’m in for any dessert/sweet with coconut,so bookmarked to try.Glad you found the substitute and made this delicious coconut balls.
yes I too thought of coconut ladoo when I was making it
beautiful pictures Mireille and I love how shiny the dulce de leche is on top. You have captured it so well. For me, caramel and yeast are two things where predictability is zero!
thanks – I am loving my new table – no need fro backgrounds anymore 🙂
Wow thats pretty easy to make and so much like the sweets we make..very nice one Mir. I totally enjoyed all your posts featuring different festivals…
yes – its just like a coconut ladoo isnt it?
Omg, am in love with this caramel coconut balls, too delicious and absolutely irresistible.
that they are – its been so hard to ration myself to just one a day 🙂
Such an irresistible treat, Mir. I have rolled these coconut balls in so many different things but never caramel.
its definitely rich and decadent with the caramel
Awesome mouthwatering coconut balls.. Great pics!
thanks – yes they are so scrumptious
Caramel coated coconut balls look great.
thank you Usha!
Drooling here. Super yum. I always wanted to try this at home. Will definitely try this summer.
The hardest part is the caramel sauce, but these are so quick and easy to put together.
Tell me about making caramel — I have waaaay too many misses than hits with it. These caramel coconut balls look and sound delicious.
yes – Caramel has been one of my achiles’ heel for sure!
Can they be made in advance?
yes – absolutely – will keep fresh for several days
i am doing a school project and have decided to make these do you think they will be good for me to try. I am in the 8th grade.
yes these are very good especially if you use the store bought dulce de leche – makes them very easy. YOu must let me know how they turn out!
Do you refrigerate these after making them if you need to keep for a day or two?
you can leave them out for a few days.
These came out great. I cheated and had caramel sauce already here. Super sweet but delicious.
So glad the recipe worked well for you! I agree it is sweet but perfect for the holiday season!