This is a healthy take on the Tahitian coconut breakfast treat called firi firi, which is typically fried. My version is baked and rolled in a spicy island sugar mix. —Sue Falk, Sterling Heights, Michigan,
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
- 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup warm coconut milk (110° to 115°)
- 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 to 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- SPICED SUGAR:
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 vanilla bean
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
image/svg+xml Text Ingredients View Recipe,
Directions
Add yeast to warm water and stir to dissolve; allow to sit until yeast has bubbled, 5-7 minutes. Add yeast mixture to warm coconut milk. In a large bowl, combine coconut, sugar, salt, yeast mixture and 1 cup flour; beat on medium speed until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a stiff dough (dough will be sticky). Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours.
Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into 8 portions. Roll each into a 12-in. rope. Curl ends in opposite directions to form a figure 8. Tuck each end under where it meets center of roll and pinch lightly to seal. Place 2 in. apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with a kitchen towel; let rise in a warm place until almost doubled, about 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375°. Bake until light brown, 10-12 minutes. Meanwhile, place sugar, cinnamon and ginger in a shallow bowl. Split vanilla bean lengthwise. Using the tip of a sharp knife, scrape seeds from the center; stir into sugar mixture. Brush warm pastries with melted butter; roll in sugar mixture to coat.
Test Kitchen tips
If you choose to fry: heat oil to 375°F, and fry until golden brown, about 1 minute. Omit the butter step and roll in sugar mixture. Serve warm.
Add chopped crystalized ginger to the dough when adding the flaked coconut.
Try drizzling with a glaze! Combine 1 cup powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons dark rum and 2 tablespoons melted butter.
Nutrition Facts
1 pastry: 251 calories, 8g fat (6g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 191mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
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Nutrition Facts
1 pastry: 251 calories, 8g fat (6g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 191mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.