During the past week in Mumbai, I accompanied my mother and daughter to many friends’ homes for the ubiquitous Navrathri vethalapakku. The norm is to invite ladies of family and friends and present to them some beetle leaves, beetle nut, turmeric, coconut and fruit. Some people go the extra mile and give additional gifts as well and I got some amazing stuff this time. B what ended up happening was that, at the end of five days, we were buried under a coconut hill. We got so many coconuts from all the houses we visited which was compounded by the fact that the daughter asked for them when she didn’t get one leading to total coconut chaos.
My mother made me take 6 coconuts (grated, thankfully) back to Bangalore and now I am using it across dishes even in those we don’t usually add them. The only good thing is that the husband loves coconut and is a very happy soul these past few days. So when I read about coconut’s popularity in th Caribbean cuisine, I was thrilled. But I found most recipes using coconut milk and not simply coconut as is. Then I found this coconut rock and I figured I had to make it. I added more coconut than the dish needed but that only ended up making it more flavorful. I also increased the proportion of sugar which worked out well. I also added the sweet cherries on top to give the Iyengar Bakery feels to the husband who was thrilled. So, I managed to hit many birds with one stone, or should I say rock. Yay!
Recipe adapted from here
Makes 8 rock buns
WHAT WE NEED
All purpose flour 1 cup
Butter, unsalted 1/4 cup
Sugar 1/2 cup
Raisins 3 tbsp
Baking powder 1/2 tsp
Ground nutmeg 1/2 tsp
Ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp
Egg 1
Vanilla 1 tsp
Milk 4 tsp
Coconut, grated 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp
Water
WHAT TO DO
- Heat 1/2 cup water, add the raisins to it and cover. Once it plumps up, drain the water and set aside. It should take around 10-15 minutes
- Preheat the oven to 190C and grease a baking tray and line it with parchment paper
- Using fingertips, rub the butter with the flour till the mixture gets a sand like texture
- Add the sugar, raisins, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon and coconut and mix well to combine
- Mix the egg and vanilla in anothe bowl and then add to the flour mix
- Add milk and mix well to form a dough
- Use a spoon to drop the dough on to the baking tray. Since it is to be rocks, the shape need not be well defined
- Bake for 15-20 minutes till done. Broil for 2 minutes to get the golden brown colour on top, if needed
- Serve warm
- Enjoy!
This is my post for the Blogging Marathon under the theme, ‘Dishes from the Caribbean’.
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing this BM
Bread Therapy 
And this coconut rock buns are seriously very catchy, feel like munching some.
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Well the Navratri season is meant to make us all increase one round including so many other iteams!..When my boys were much younger, they used to accompany us for the golu and they were even given boy toys that for years later, they still remembered and wanted to go with us..hheheh..this is a fantastic recipe to use excess coconut!..I am going to make it..
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All of a sudden, it looked like coconut macaroons to me and then I see they are buns… coconut in anything is welcome for me…
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Lol!! I am reading Viking stories they are with an excess of rock giants so you can imagine where my mind skid too! As for your daughter asking for coconuts, it’s so sweet she wants to be included in the festivities and must have been so awkward for you.I understand fully.
These coconut rock buns look like the coconut cherry something that our local bakery sells. Looks amazingly easy to make and delicious.
Will make when Apeksha leaves for Bangalore for her cousins.
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These coconut rock looks amazing! It reminds me of our coconut macarons that I love from the local Indian bakeries. I can relate to the coconut chaos after Navaratri.
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These look amamzing.Like everyone said, these look like coconut macaroons
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These coconut rocks are something that I’d love as I love coconut. You’re right so many of the Caribbean dishes use coconut milk rather than the coconut itself.
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Coconut buns look fantastic , they look tempting , can we make them Eggless ?
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I am experimenting this week Vaishali….will let you know how that turns out!
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I’m the only taker of coconut based dishes in the family and I love them. Waiting for your eggless version of this coconutty treat
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Lovely share.. I have a serious addiction towards coconut based bakes.. Bookmarked..
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I enjoyed reading your intro to the post. The rocks look lovely especially with the cherry garnish
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Wow that looks scrumptious! Tell me
About vetrilaipaaku fruits and Thengai! I m still finding ways to use up the apples! Love those coconut rocks! Can imagine the flavor as I read thru the recipe ! 😍
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Coconut buns really looks delicious.
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all you had to say is coconut and I was won over…these look amazing
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coconut chaos ! lol 🙂 can imagine that ! these buns look amazing
and yes, we love the beans karamudhu with lots of coconut too – ! lol – hope u get the drift :p
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