Ingredients:
- 500 g flour
- 200 g sugar
- 2 eggs
- 250 g butter
- 250 ml milk
- 1 baking powder
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar
- 250 g shredded coconut
- 300 ml water
- 250 g sugar (for the syrup)
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions for the Dough:
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, vanilla sugar, and baking powder. These ingredients will form the base of your dough.
- Prepare the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, crack the eggs and whisk them lightly. Add the melted butter and milk to the eggs, and stir well to combine the ingredients into a smooth mixture.
- Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry mixture. Stir and combine until a smooth dough forms. If the dough feels too sticky, you can add a little more flour until it reaches the right consistency.
- Roll Out the Dough: Dust your work surface with a bit of flour and roll out the dough to about 0.5 cm thickness. Using a round cookie cutter, cut out individual cookie shapes from the dough.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the cookie shapes onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until they turn golden brown on top. The cookies should be light and crispy.
Making the Coconut Coating:
- Prepare the Coconut Syrup: While the cookies are baking, prepare the coconut syrup. In a large pan, combine the shredded coconut, water, sugar, and lemon juice. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly. Allow the sugar to dissolve completely, and let the mixture simmer until it thickens slightly.
- Coat the Cookies: As soon as the cookies are baked and still warm, carefully dip them into the hot coconut syrup. Ensure that each cookie is completely coated with the coconut mixture. The syrup will soak into the cookies, making them wonderfully soft and flavorful.
Final Touches:
- Cool and Serve: Place the coated cookies on a wire rack and let them cool down. As they cool, the coconut coating will harden slightly, creating a delicious texture.
- Enjoy: Once the cookies are completely cooled, your Čupavci (Coconut Squares) are ready to serve! These sweet treats are perfect for any occasion, offering a satisfying combination of soft, moist cookies with a crisp coconut exterior.
Tips for Success:
- If you prefer a sweeter or more intense coconut flavor, feel free to add a bit more sugar to the syrup.
- Make sure the coconut syrup is hot when you dip the cookies in it, as this helps the coating stick properly.
- You can store these Čupavci in an airtight container for up to a week, although they are usually eaten much quicker due to their irresistible taste!
Enjoy your Čupavci – Coconut Squares!
