I got the idea of testing this recipe after my success with my cheat version of coconut macaroons. Doce de grao (check recipe) is a staple sweet made for weddings, Christmas, church feast and litany’s in Goa. This sweet requires a great labor of love. Depending on the quantity it can take an hour, two or more of constant stirring before it is ready to eat. Since it is laborious to make, I only put in the effort to make it during Christmas. Every time I go to Goa I would try to carry it back with me but since fresh grated coconut is used to make this sweet and having it packed would make the coconut go bad in a 27 hour flight. Always feeling disappointed, I truly was so excited to give this recipe a try and hoping it would work. I was so happy when my first batch came out just perfect. I can now make it often and it is gluten-free.
If you are a Goan who has eaten doce de grao then this recipe makes for a softer version of the doce. Doce is a semi-soft dessert but you can also make it harder by adding more sugar. I love my mum’s version which was the semi-soft but it would go bad if not properly stored. Since I usually use less sugar in my deserts I only used 1/3 cup as the sweetened flakes of coconut would add more sweetness. The only alteration to the original recipe is the addition of eggs to bind the doce de grao batter/ coconut blondie(brownie). But it does not alter the taste in any ways. The flavor that is prominent is the chana and cardamom used.
Serving Size: 9″ Brownie pan
Ingredients:
2 cans or 3 cups of cooked garbanzos beans/ Chana dal
1/3-1/2 cup of sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup of sweetened flakes coconut
1/2 tsp of ground cardamom powder.
3 tbsp of oil/ghee
Directions:
Heat oven to 350F
In a food processor add all the above ingredients and pulse a couple of times till all is well combined and smooth.
Pour into a well-greased / well lined brownie pan and bake for 25-30 minutes till a toothpick comes out clear.
Cool and enjoy with a nice cup of hot tea.
Delicious!
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Thank You Much 🙂
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Oh I thought Doce was always eggless…..never smelled egg in it…..this is a very great way to make Doce, what about the coconut milk and the smell of the egg……
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You are right, doce does not have eggs I also have the original recipe without eggs. This recipe is a short cut version 🙂 https://goanwiki.com/2013/12/27/garbanzo-coconut-bars-doce-de-grao/
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I like ur blog
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Thank You Nalini 🙂
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Your recipes look so good! I’m totally following you.
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Thank You! I appreciate it much 🙂
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Nandini, Thanks so much for the “Lilies-of-the-Valley” like. Also, one of my nieces has a gluten allergy so I always appreciate gluten-free recipes! – Jackie
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You are very welcome Jackie. I hope she will like the recipe 🙂
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Incredible & unique Nandini
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Thank You Linda, appreciate it much 🙂
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This looks delicious; I can’t wait to try it.
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Thank You Much 🙂
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wow, what a nice but easy way to do this. I will definitely be doing this.
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That is so awesome to know…Thanks Much Chelvi 🙂
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Yum! I can’t wait to bake this.
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That is awesome Marie 🙂
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Wow how amazing!!! and made from garbanzos that too…great share Nandini!!
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Thank You so much Shy. I am a lazy cook always looking for quick short cuts 🙂
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what a cool recipe! I love coconut everything. Does the taste of the chickpeas shine through?
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Thank You!. The taste of chickpea does shine through 🙂
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This is quite an interesting recipe. I love coconut. The outcome looks divine. ❤ 🙂
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Thank You Anna so much. I personally love this recipe and to make a quicker version was a win for me 🙂
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My pleasure Nandini. 🙂
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Man, these look sooo good. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them before. Love learning about these Goan dishes. -Kat
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Thank you Kat so much. I am happy to know that my post are interesting 🙂
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Thank you for visiting my site. Otherwise I might have missed out on yours! I look forward to trying out your recipes. I even look forward to learning about a part of the world I didn’t know about prior to your visit.
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You are so welcome and I am happy to hear that you find my blog of interest 🙂
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That pic 😍 would you like to adopt a cute looking full grown who loves to love, eat and travel?
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Hahaha! 🙂
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Think about it 😀
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What a great idea and treat as I transition into a more strict diet!
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Thank You Vonnie and it is gluten-free if you follow that diet.
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This looks great! Can you tell me how long I can store this?
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Thank You so much. I store mine in the refrigerator for about a week or two.
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Love me some doce de Grao Nandini. I like your simplified version. Have you ever tried the grated fresh coconut from the Indian store? It comes in a frozen packet, but when you defrost it, it’s all shredded and tastes just like a fresh coconut.
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Thank you so much Loretta. I do use the frozen coconut a lot. I was a bit scared to use it in this dish since I thought it may add moisture to the doce and make it runny and not bind properly. Maybe I should give it a try the next time to see how it works.
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I went ahead and made this tonight for the kids. It was really good! I added pecans and frosting (because in Texas, you put pecans in desserts). It’s going to cool off some more in the fridge tomorrow. I bet it will even better after it sits overnight. Thank you!
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Thank You so much Ann for taking the time to write your feedback and I am so happy to hear that it was enjoyed and also sharing your version. I am sure the frosting and pecans added to the flavor.
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Oh that looks so good! Love coconut and I’m definitely going to try this.
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Thank You so much Aida 🙂
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That looks delicious and easy to make. I love that it is grain free. I think I will try this!
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That is awesome. Thank You 🙂
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Very interesting recipe. The combination of ingredients is unique. I know of desserts with chana dal but with garbanzo (kabuli chana) is new to me. Thanks for sharing Nandini 👍
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Thank You so much SKD. It is made with chana dal but since it is not readily available where I live I use kabuli as it works equally well.
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Yum yum 🙂 ❤
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Thanks 🙂
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This sounds so great, I adore coconut, what a lovely idea Nandini 🙂
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Thank You so much Lynne. I am so happy to hear 🙂
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Such an interesting idea! Looks delicious. 🙂
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Thank You so much Ronit 🙂
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Looks even better than a coconut macaroon.
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Oh Wow! Thank You so much Darryl 🙂
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Hey Nandini!
OOH LA LA! DOCE DE GRAO LOOKS OUT OF THIS WORLD OR RATHER DIVINE.Does it really take 2 to 3 hours of STIRRING? If that is the case, it is DEFINITELY MORE THAN THE LABOUR OF LOVE, which You mentioned in Your introduction. I for one never new that it takes so such of EFFORT TO PRODUCE IT. That said, I think all the effort PAYS OFF ULTIMATELY because the end result is ‘CHEF-D’OEUVRE’. I also like the fact that one can make it using less sugar.SUGAR IS THE BAD INGREDIENT, if You like. Again the spouse loves DOCE DE GRAO.She gets a lot of it from Goa, when She goes on HOLS to Goa.Your pics as usual are beautiful.Thanks for sharing YOUR EXPERTISE with Us.I don’t know what We would do without You and Your FABULOUS RECIPES? This weekend in the UK is bank holiday weekend.So an extra day off.
Have a GREAT WEEKEND!
With My EVERY BLESSING
Stan the Man
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Thank You so much Mr Stan. Hope you had a lovely long weekend. Doce de grao does take a long time and effort to make so I was excited to make this recipe so I could enjoy my Goan favorite without much effort 🙂
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Definitely going to try this as it looks so easy and I love coconut. Can’t believe the use of chickpeas too! 🙂
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It indeed is a no fuss recipe and easy. I would definitely encourage you to give it a try 🙂
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That does look simple. That might be great for guests.
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Thanks Harry and something different 🙂
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Love coconut! This will make a great weekend treat!
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You are right Chris it will 🙂
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Wow Nandini… very innovative
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Who would have thought one could make dessert from Chick peas! I bet it’s way better with ghee than oil. It looks yummy!
Hope everyone is healthy at your house now.
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Thank You so much Deborah, with God’s wonderful grace we are all doing well 🙂 Interestingly enough a lot of Indian sweet do use dry powdered chickpea and ghee adds a nice aroma to it all.
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Very innovative, Nandini! Love it 🙂 looks too good!!
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Thank Much Freda…The goal was to cut the time short and still enjoy Goan favorites 🙂
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nom nom nom
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Yes Jim till the whole pan is empty 🙂
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Chickpeas. Huh. I’m going to go ahead and say these are health food! They look really good!!
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Yeah Ann, these are the guilt-free foods 🙂
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Nandini, this looks so good! What a great job simplifying the recipe.I am definitely going to make this!
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That is awesome to hear Sandhya. I was excited as well to cut the time and effort. Thank You 🙂
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Looks wonderful!
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Thank you much 🙂
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Awesome ! This sounds yummy! Going to make it this weekend.
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Thank You so much. Will look forward toy our feedback 🙂
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