Coconut Syrup
This Coconut Syrup is just like the kind they serve over pancakes and waffles in Hawaii! It is thick and rich and supremely coconut-y. Plus: stupid easy. Perfect for a lazy Mother’s Day!
I got coconut syrup in my hair today. In my bangs, actually. Apparently I run my fingers through my bangs to sweep them out of my eyes like every 10 seconds. I never really noticed that I did this before, but it’s hard not to take note when your fingers keep getting caught in the now-dried, hours-old coconut syrup that you still haven’t washed out of your hair.
This is probably why I get looks at the grocery store. Not only are my children disheveled, but their mother looks like someone who’s been playing with her food. Shamefully accurate.
I probably had BBQ sauce or frosting on my face the other day at the store, too. It would explain why my cashier was checking out my kids to see if she needed to call the cops. I had my nephew with me, who had had a nasty run-in with the edge of a counter. The first day I saw it, it was just a knot with a split down the middle, right on his temple. By the time we went on our grocery trip a day later, it had morphed into a full-on black eye. It looked pretty gnarly. Poor kid.
The checkout lady asked what happened of course, and I told her. Then she turned her attention to my son Truman, who needed a haircut so bad that his eyes were literally covered in hair. But she still managed to spot his little strawberry patch right between his eyebrows. “Oh, did he fall too?” NO I SWEAR IT’S A BIRTHMARK!! THIS BLACK-EYED KID ISN’T EVEN MINE! I’M INNOCENT!! Just ignore the syrup-bangs please.
Have you been to Hawaii? Eric and I went for our honeymoon, but I want to go back. We didn’t get to see a ton because we were on a budget. Eric’s parents just went a few weeks ago, and his mom told me about an amazing breakfast she had: Banana Macadamia Pancakes with Coconut Syrup. I did some research, and it seems like Bananacadamia (Let’s make this a thing!) pancakes are a popular thing there. I’ve never had them, but this recipe is so amazing that I can’t imagine how they would be better. I mean, besides the fact that there are no beaches or palm trees in sight.
But first up: the syrup. This coconut syrup gets a whole post to itself, because after trying it I knew I would be using it for more than just Bananacadamia Pancakes. (That recipe will be up on Thursday) (Here it is). I’m thinking Italian Sodas, fruit dip, (Try a banana with this syrup. Or pineapple! So. good.) regular old waffles, jazzing up my oatmeal. What would you put it on? I want to experiment using this with some grilled meat too. Coconut syrup for days!
On that note. You should know that I just swiped my fingers through my syrupy bangs again.
P.S. If you want to make the pancakes mentioned and are going shopping before my post goes live on Thursday, the ingredients you’ll need for the Banana Macadamia Pancakes (besides regular pancake stuff like flour, baking soda/powder, etc.) are: 2-3 ripe or overripe bananas, 1/2 cup roasted salted macadamia nuts, eggs, butter, and buttermilk. (Here’s the link to the pancakes)
Do you guys give up? Or are you thirsty for more?
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Coconut Syrup
Makes about 2 cups adjust servingsIngredients
- 1 13 or 14 ounce can coconut milk (not lite)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or up to 3/4)
- 1 tablespoon light-colored corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Open the can of coconut milk. Pour into a small saucepan with the heat turned off. Add the cornstarch and whisk thoroughly.*
- Turn the heat to medium once the cornstarch is completely incorporated. Add the sugar, salt, and corn syrup.
- Stir very frequently over medium heat until the liquid starts to thicken. If you start to see bubbles from boiling, take it off the heat.
- Add the vanilla and stir. The syrup will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Serve with your favorite pancakes, waffles, or I bet it would make a great Italian soda or cocktail!
by The Food Charlatan
More Mother’s Day brunch ideas!
Gingerbread Pancakes with Lemon Syrup (think outside the Christmas box! These are so good, anytime of the year):
Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole:
Dark Chocolate Waffles with Ganache and Strawberries:
Pancakes from friends:
The Blueberry Pancakes of Your Dreams from Baker by Nature
Whole Wheat Brown Sugar Banana Bread Pancakes from How Sweet Eats
Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes from Crazy for Crust
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Hi, can I substitute a corn syrup for a honey? :-))
I haven’t tried it Nicole, but I think it would work fine! It might change the flavor a bit but probably not much. Let me know how it turns out!
Mine was good but it doesn’t seem to be as thick as the picture? Maybe I should have cooked it a little longer?
Hi Merry! Yes, it probably means you should have left it on the stove a couple minutes longer! The longer you cook a cornstarch mixture, the thicker it gets.
SO good. I made this with your waffle recipe and it was amazing!
Yesss I haven’t made this in forever! Coconut syrup ftw! So glad you loved it Erin. Thanks for commenting!
I’ve made this several times now, with the addition of half a teaspoon of coconut extract, and the last time I bought coconut cream by mistake instead of coconut milk, used it anyway, and it came out even better! I’ve used it on pancakes, ice cream, over sweet potato topped with banana and walnuts, and straight off the spoon, it’s so good!
Ooh great tips Susan! I will have to try this with coconut cream next time! Genius. And I love this over sweet potato, that sounds so good!! Thanks for leaving all your suggestions!
OMG, I want to put this in a mug and drink it! So good! I added 1/2 t of coconut extract too. Still waiting for it to cool down a little more, hope it will thicken just a little bit more. So yummy! Thank you for posting! Making pancakes for Christmas in the morning. :D
ooh coconut extract!! Why didn’t I think of that!!! Totally trying it next time!
I have a bottle we brought back from Hawaii (Old Hawaiian Recipe brand) and I just made this syrup so I could compare to the real thing. It’s good but next time I make it I will leave out the vanilla. It seems to knock out most of the coconut flavor.
Great tip Becky! I will try that next time, thanks for chiming in!
Hi Karen
Will do recipe this w/e. Just wanted to say I went to Hawaii and had the pancakes with bacon and coconut syrup or maple. I bought 2 bottles of coconut home. When I make your syrup I will be having it with bacon yumm
Everything is better with bacon, right??? :)
Excellent! Tastes exactly like what I was served in Hawaii!!!!
Yay! So happy to hear that Dee!
I’m laughing right now, because you’read right about the canned coconut milk separating out. I got in so much trouble with my aunt one time, because she was making a dish that called for 2 cans coconut milk and I threw away like 3 cans because I thought it “went bad” before she came to check on me…lol…
Oh my gosh, I read your story out loud to my family because it made me laugh so hard!!! I bet your aunt was so mad!! Hahaha!!
How long will this keep for? I am hosting a large breakfast and would like to make in advance.
Hey Tahnee! This will keep for at least a week in the fridge!
Coconut syrup is divine!!
I just poured some in my coffee and I LOVE IT!!
Oh man that sounds amazing! great idea!
Thanks for this recipe. How long does this keep?
Hey Pamela! I imagine it would last as long as coconut milk would last in the fridge, so about a week. Hope you enjoy it!
I can see myself taking spoonful samples of this before adding it onto pancakes, then taking spoonful samples of it after I’m done eating. Great recipe!
It is that addictive Thao!! :)
This. Syrup. Can I come over for breakfast, please?!
Yes. Bring the rhubarb donuts.
Wow this sounds so good! I haven’t been to Hawaii but we are thinking about going for our honeymoon! Where in Hawaii did you guys go?
We stayed a week at the Plantation Inn at Lahina and had macadamia pancakes at their restaurant on first floor. The syrup was so good that we consumed an entire container EVERY DAY!! We kept looking at each other saying, “Did YOU eat all that?!!”
One every day!! Haha! That is awesome! Well now you can make it at home :)
What a great recipe for Mother’s Day brunch! I’m definitely going to come back for the pancake recipe on Thursday. And I’ll have to remember to add pineapple to the grocery list so I can top my stack of coconut syrup pancakes with it.
-Alice
Wha? Coconut syrup is a thing? This so needs to happen! I’m always getting weirdo looks at the grocery store. I basically wake up and run to the store. I’m a straight up hot mess. So pinning this!
Story of my life. Except I don’t wake up early, then feed my kids, then drop them off for swap, then make a hasty list, THEN go to the grocery store at 10:30 looking like I just rolled out of bed. Gross. haha.
In college, I walked into one of my classes and realized halfway through I had ice cream stuck to my chin. So embarrassing. But, let’s chat about this coconut syrup. OMG. This is so happening, like now.
When I saw it on IG, I had to come and check this recipe out. Love this! How did I miss it in Hawaii??
Oh this syrup looks divine and the possibilities…….. I had to laugh at your story because it is the same with me!! I usually forget little things at my major grocery trip so I have to stop and pick things up on the way home from getting my kids from school and the looks I get!! But when I get home and look in the mirror I know why! Between the kids and I our clothes and faces need some tlc.
I knew you’d figure it out. You’re a genius! Really!
This looks delicious! I love banana pancakes and definitely saw them with this syrup on a menu or two in Maui. It’s a refreshing alternative to maple syrup! Thanks for sharing! xo
Looks so amazing! Gotta try. Pinned to our Coconut Board.
I want to slather this over EVERYTHING!!!!!
Yeah, I highly recommend bangs.
I remember having this syrup in Hawaii too! I loved it and never thought about making it myself. Genius Karen!! And haha with the check our clerk. I always think the same thing. My daughter falls all the times on her legs and has these bruises and everyone is looking probably thinking poor little girl!! I would totally get this in my hair if I could have some. :-)
How different is this from cream of coconut? They sound very similar.
Hi Linda! Do you mean coconut cream, as opposed to coconut milk? (I’m not sure what cream of coconut is) Coconut cream is just an entire can of the solid stuff that comes in a can of coconut milk. It is unsweetened and definitely doesn’t taste like this recipe! Funny that you mention it, I tested this recipe 3 times, and used coconut cream on one of them (in lieu of the coconut milk). It made the syrup too thick for my liking.
No, it is a canned milk but sweet (very sweet) that is usually found in the drink mix area of grocery stores. It’s used frequently to make pina colada type drinks. Here’sa a link to their site.
http://www.cocolopez.com/creamofcoconut.html
Oh, okay! Looking at the ingredients it looks pretty much the same. Coconut, sugar, thickener. :) Now you can make it at home!
I will have to try that. Just made a coconut tres leches cake using it and evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk instead of half-n-half with the other two. Seems to me that would make it too sweet but I think the sweetened condensed was less to compensate for the extra sweet. It was a HUGE success. You have me at coconut. Thanks for the recipe!!
I HAVE to try this syrup with my daughter. We used to bring home coconut syrup from Hawaii….so fun to eat pancakes here and pretend we are still there in sunny Hawaii!! :-)
Awesome Sheryl, let me know if it tastes like what you remember! It’s funny, when my mother in law was texting me from the restaurant about this syrup, she asked the waiter if they would give her the recipe. Instead they brought out the bottle that they buy pre-made! They should start making it in-house, it’s so easy!
haha oh gosh, I touch my hair all the time and I have definitely swiped food through it before! Which is why I now wear it up when cooking at all times!
We went to Hawaii on our honeymoon and I definitely remember the coconut syrup! Love this!!
Yeah, I usually remember to put mine up halfway through a shoot when I realize there is blonde hair peaking in the corners of my overhead shots. and also the strap that I never put on. haha!
This syrup looks divine. I wouldn’t mind pouring it all over everything, including my hair!
Yum! We lived in Hawaii for 8-1/2 years and we miss it so Very much. Thanks for sharing this recipe for Coconut syrup. Love, love banana pancakes with coconut syrup! Will have to make this soon!
You lived in Hawaii!! So fun. Now at least you can have a Hawaiian breakfast even if you’re not there anymore! I hope you like it :) Have a great week Diane!
Is it weird that I kinda want to pour this beautiful syrup over, well, everything?! If not that, then definitely just grabbing an extra-large spoon and going to town. Seriously OBSESSING over how awesome those pancakes sound and with this syrup on top could you ever go wrong?!
Hahaha I bet you looked like Mary from There’s Something About Mary….
Also – coconut syrup?! I want to take a bath in this right now.