Coconut Candy

This delicious candy reminds me of my high school days in BBGS (Bukit Bintang Girls' School) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We used to make these candies for the chool fun fair and each year they were a sellout! Each class was given an event to do and participation was mandatory. Weeks ahead, the selected class would busy themselves in making colorful baskets from paper cups, decorated with crepe paper. The fun part was cooking the candies and packing it into the baskets.
Ingredients:
350 gm. grated fresh white coconut (or flaked dried coconut)
500 gm. sugar
150 gm. evaporated milk
40 gm. unsweetend butter
2 tsps. vanilla essence
1 tsp. rum (optional)
food coloring of your choice
greased flat square pan
Method:
1.In a heavy saucepan, add coconut, sugar, evaporated milk, vanilla essence and stir to combine over medium heat to dissolve sugar. Stir constanstly to prevent it from burning or sticking to the pan.
2.Add in butter, rum (if used), food coloring and stir until the sugar mixture thickens, about 30 minutes.
3.Pour mixture into a well-greased pan and press until the surface is flat and even. Place in a cool place to set.

4.Cut into squares when it is cool slightly and store in air tight containers.Leave the candy aside to set. Cut the candy into small squares when it is slightly cool.
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