Dessicated Coconut vs. Sweetened Coconut

So, if a recipe calls for sweetened coconut, do you add sugar to the dessicated coconut or anything? Or do you just decide based on how sweet you think the dessert might be (or might not be) in the end?

There's a topic on chowhound here with some ideas
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/553655

Oh thanks. I guess the simple syrup method sounds best, but I don't want to wait for it to dry overnight, I need some delicious treats ASAP.  I had those chocolate oat no-bake cookies in mind because they were always my fave as a kid and sounded really comforting. 

http://www.greedygourmet.com/2007/08/22/chocolate-coconut-clusters/

They are supposed to be killingly sweet, so I suppose extra sugar is in order by some method. I wonder if I should just add an extra 1/4 cup of sugar to the recipe instead?

You won't get the same texture at all.  Being no-bake you might not have them come out as dry, but that's another risk.  I've done this before so I know what happens!

You might try the simple syrup method keeping the ratio of syrup to coconut low.  Just enough to rehydrate the coconut with sweetness then drain and use.

I'd probably add the coconut to the syrup while it's warm or you can alternatively put it in the microwave and then wait for it to cool.

I do this all the time with dried fruits and mushrooms.

I've made magic bars using dessicated coconut in place of sweetened. I just did a straight substitute and it was absolutely fine. Although perhaps all that condensed milk was enough to add sweetness and to stop the coconut from being too dry! 

Mmmmm, magic bars - I've got stuff to make those, maybe this weekend! 

Jewlz, did you have trouble sourcing sweetened coconut?  I just wondered because I have 1 1/2 bags of the sweetened coconut in my cupboard, but don't remember seeing dessicated coconut in the shop here (not that I was looking for it).  What does a person use dessicated coconut for?

What does a person use dessicated coconut for?

I use it in curries and stuff like that. In fact, I never use sweetened.  It's also used in Caribbean food, which I imagine is sweet enough without adding sweet coconut.

I use it in curries and stuff like that. In fact, I never use sweetened.  It's also used in Caribbean food, which I imagine is sweet enough without adding sweet coconut. 

Oh okay - we use that coconut cream block of stuff for curries, grated & put into the liquid in the curry.  I'm familiar with sweetened coconut for purposes of baking (sweeeeet things!), but I don't think I've ever used dessicated coconut.

I have used the desiccated coconut to make the pecan topping for German Chocolate Cake.  It worked just fine.  But I do have a London source for the sweetened coconut, if anyone is looking.  It is Panzer's Grocery in St. John's Wood.

Is sweetened coconut difficult to find elsewhere in the UK?  I'm curious because my local Morrisons has it (it's not a big one or anything) - which is where we got what we have.  So I assumed the other regular grocery stores otherwise must carry it.  Is that not the case?

Is sweetened coconut difficult to find elsewhere in the UK?  I'm curious because my local Morrisons has it (it's not a big one or anything) - which is where we got what we have.  So I assumed the other regular grocery stores otherwise must carry it.  Is that not the case?

I've only looked for it once or twice in 7 years, but haven't found it on either occasion. Maybe if I tried a different supermarket?

Perhaps.  I thought it would be difficult to find (I had that idea - perhaps from on here previously?) but I needed some back in July when I was making my coconut cake for my birthday, sent Steve to the store for some, and he came back with 3 or 4 bags of it (they are smallish bags), so I figured - ok it's available here, no problem.  I think he got it at Morrisons, but that was nearly 2 months ago, it could just as well have been Sainsburys.  However, I am pretty sure I have seen it in Morrisons along with the other baking bits (like beside the flaked almonds & so forth).

Is sweetened coconut difficult to find elsewhere in the UK?  I'm curious because my local Morrisons has it (it's not a big one or anything) - which is where we got what we have.  So I assumed the other regular grocery stores otherwise must carry it.  Is that not the case?

When I first moved here, I was able to buy the sweetened coconut at the local Safeway. (before Morrison's bought Safeway) Then the Safeway closed, and I haven't be able to find it since, unless it is a place that caters to Americans.

I've only looked in a smallish Somerfield years ago and, more recently, in our local Tesco, which isn't very big. Every once in a while I try a larger supermarket just for kicks, so maybe I'll have a look to see if they have it next time I'm there.

I could have sworn that our Sainsbury's carries it in the baking section because I think I had to put it back once when I picked it up instead of the unsweetened stuff.  I will have to check it out the next time we're there.

Mrs. R, I use the brick of coconut too, but the desiccated coconut gives it a totally different texture and I think adds more fibre.  Plus, you can actually see it.  IIRC, my diet cookbook has recipes for low sugar macaroons and other things using it as well, but I rarely make sweets unless it's the full on stuff so I've not made them.  I can post the recipe if anyone's interested.