Bukayo
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar
- ¼ cup coconut water or plain water
- 2 cups coconut strings from young coconut
Instructions
- In a non-stick pan over low heat, dissolve brown sugar in coconut water until it forms a thick syrup.
- Add the coconut strings to the syrup, ensuring they are fully coated. Simmer until the syrup is reduced and thickens.
- Remove the pan from heat and place it on the kitchen counter. Allow the mixture to cool until the syrup stops bubbling.
- Stir continuously until the syrup turns opaque, crystallizes, and becomes thick and sticky.
- Scoop portions of the mixture onto banana leaves, forming flat round disks.
- Let it cool and harden, then gently remove from the banana leaves.
- Transfer to a plate for serving or store in an airtight jar.
Details Behind My Bukayo Recipe
Bukayo Recipe – What is bukayo? Bukayo is a traditional sweet in the Philippines made from young coconut meat and sugar. It originated in Lingayen, Pangasinan, and is known by various names like bucaio, bucayo, bukhayo, pakumbo, or bocarillo in different provinces. To make it, coconut strings are simmered in a caramelized syrup. The syrup is created from coconut water and ‘panutsa de bao’/’sinakob,’ a type of raw sugar.
The mixture is then shaped into round patties or balls and left to dry until it achieves a delightful chewiness. Besides being a tasty snack or dessert, Bukayo is also used as a soft and spreadable filling for Pan de Coco. Its irresistibly sweet and mildly chewy nature makes it a truly addictive treat.
Additional Notes for my Bukayo Recipe
There are many ways to make bukayo even more delicious. While melting sugar in coconut water, add pandan leaves for a pleasant taste and aroma; just remember to remove them before adding the coconut strings. After shaping the Bukayo, sprinkle a bit of coarse sea salt on top for a sweet and salty balance. Elevate the flavor by adding vanilla extract during the process. For an oriental and nutty twist, consider adding sesame seeds. These simple touches will elevate your Bukayo.
To store your Bukayo, place it in an airtight container, either grouped or wrapped individually. Given its moisture sensitivity, keeping this candied coconut in a dry and cool environment is crucial. When stored appropriately, Bukayo can maintain its freshness for up to a week.
Dishes Similar to Bukayo
If you want to enjoy another sweet and chewy snack with coconut as a star ingredient, consider palitaw. Palitaw is a sweet rice cake snack in Filipino cuisine known for its small, flat shape. Traditionally made using galapong, which is washed, soaked, and ground glutinous rice (malagkit), the snack has evolved over time. Originally, it involved grinding or pounding sticky rice, but today, it’s simplified by mixing rice flour and water into a dough, which is then flattened and boiled.
Another caramelized treat you can enjoy is carioca. Carioca is another name for cascaron, not to be confused with cascarón, which refers to a hollowed-out chicken egg filled with prizes. In Filipino cuisine, cascaron is a delicious doughnut made by deep-frying a mix of ground glutinous rice, grated coconut, and sugar. It comes in various shapes like balls, elongated forms, pancakes, or doughnuts and is often enjoyed on a skewer, providing a delightful variety in both shape and texture.
Other Desserts Featuring Coconut
Generally, several Filipino sweets contain coconut. One dessert that stars coconut is buko pie. Buko pie is a traditional Filipino dessert that combines young coconut and custard. Some versions use a thicker coconut called macapuno, and there are variations with flavors like pandan and vanilla. The classic version blends young coconut with a custard made from condensed milk, creating a delightful mix of flavors and textures in each slice.
For something more refreshing, you should try buko pandan. Buko pandan is a delightful dessert that typically consists of young coconut and pandan-flavored jelly, capturing the essence of tropical flavors. For added texture, some variations include the inclusion of sago and toasted pinipig, enhancing the overall experience.
There is a variety of Filipino dishes featuring coconut. Depending on your tastes, there are plenty of options to try. For example, if you love cakes, you should check out a buko pandan cake. If you want to try another type of fruit dessert, there is minatamis na saging. Otherwise, you can explore more desserts with buko like buko salad and coconut macaroons.
