🇲🇭 Marshallese Cuisine

Kanij

Coconut Candy

Prep Time 10 min
Servings 12
Difficulty Medium
Calories 146 kcal

Chewy, golden coconut candy made by slowly cooking freshly grated coconut with sugar until caramelized, a beloved Marshallese sweet treat.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1 Combine grated coconut, sugar, coconut milk, vanilla, and salt in a heavy saucepan.
  2. 2 Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
  3. 3 Continue stirring for 20-25 minutes as the mixture thickens and turns golden.
  4. 4 When the mixture pulls away from the sides of the pan and is deeply golden, remove from heat.
  5. 5 Drop spoonfuls onto parchment paper, shaping into small rounds.
  6. 6 Let cool completely until firm and chewy.

Did You Know?

Making kanij is a social activity in the Marshall Islands, with women gathering to grate coconut and take turns stirring the pot.