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Pineapple and coconut go together like peanut butter and jelly. It’s one of those combinations that sounds too simple to be phenomenal, but when those flavors hit your tastebuds… it just feels right. Virgin pina coladas were one of my favorite things to order with dinner when I was a kid (as opposed to a soda, though I’m not sure if the pina colada was much healthier), and now, pineapple is one of my favorite things to pair with the coconut you’ll see in nearly every AIP-friendly treat.
With just five ingredients, these Pina Colada Candies are ridiculously simple. At the same time, they’e so unique they’ll impress anyone you happen to serve them to. They have a gummy texture that varies from soft to chewy depending on how long you cook them and how much honey you add – but pay attention while they’re on the stove, because they can and will burn if you let them get too dry. It’s the kind of recipe that looks intimidating until you get started. Just follow the instructions and you’ll be enjoying your own candies in no time!
- 1 lb pineapple (canned or fresh, though canned should be drained first), pureed
- 6 tablespoons honey, divided
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, optional
- ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- In a large skillet over high heat, combine the pineapple, ¼ cup honey, and lemon juice and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the mixture starts to dry out during this time, add more honey, up to 2 tablespoons.
- Reduce the heat to low, add the extract, and cook another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens nearly into a paste.
- Remove from the heat and let cool 10-15 minutes, just until cool enough to handle.
- Wet your hands to keep the paste from sticking to them, then form the paste into 6 equal-sized balls, about 1". Roll in the shredded coconut to coat, then refrigerate until ready to eat.
8 comments
Am I safe to assume fresh pineapple?
Either canned or fresh pineapple will work, though canned pineapple should be drained first so its moisture content is comparable to fresh pineapple.
Does this recipe use canned or fresh pineapple? Thanks!
Either canned or fresh pineapple will work, though canned pineapple should be drained first so its moisture content is comparable to fresh pineapple.
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This was really nice! Both my husband and I really liked them!
Thanks for this recipe. I made them tonight, but during the cooking process I panicked a bit because it thickened into a paste much sooner than the 30 minutes, let alone the extra 15 minutes. I had a nice, thick gooey paste after only 30 minutes. Should I have left them cooking even though I already reached “paste” consistency?
Thx 🙂
Is there any substitute for the vanilla extract?
Thanks.