Growing in Corozal Town, Belize I would often get five cents, ten cents, or on a special day a shilling to take to school. On hot days I would buy an ideal. Belizeans love ideals. The typically come in a plastic bag or tube and a sugary frozen treat. Many Belizean ideals are essentially sugar water with flavor like almost like Cool Aid. But the more unique and special kinds are called “Milk Ideals” or “Milkyways”. The best milk ideals are actually made with sweetened condensed milk or a natural milk like coconut, craboo, banana, or sapodilla. Given, coconuts are readily available in many back yards across the country, it is perhaps the most common of the milk ideals.
Our recipe comes from our grandma who would find the perfect coconuts, grate them, and strain the coconut milk to make these sweet Belizean Ideals at home. Once made these ideals can be frozen and kept for a long time, but at our house they never lasted more than a day or two.
Belizean Coconut Ideal Ingredients
- 1 whole coconut (for fresh coconut milk)
- 2 cans (24 oz or 710 ml) evaporated milk
- 1 can (14 oz or 397 g) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- Water (as needed)
- Small plastic bags (non-zippered sandwich bags)
How to make Belizean Coconut Milk Ideal
Step 1: Extract Fresh Coconut Milk
- Crack the Coconut
- Find the “mouth” of the coconut (the softest eye) and pierce it with a knife to drain the coconut water. Set it aside (not needed for this recipe).
- Use a cleaver or hammer to gently crack open the coconut.
- Pry out the coconut meat using a paring knife.
- Blend the Coconut Meat
- Cut the coconut meat into small chunks.
- Blend with 1 to 2 cups of water in a high-speed blender (such as a NutriBullet) until it forms a milky consistency.
- Strain the Coconut Milk
- Pour the blended coconut mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a bowl.
- Squeeze out as much milk as possible. If needed, add a little more water to the coconut pulp to extract extra milk.
- Aim for about 13-15 oz (385-445 ml) of coconut milk.
Step 2: Mix the Ingredients
Combine the Milks
- In a large mixing bowl, add evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and fresh coconut milk.
- Stir well to ensure the condensed milk dissolves completely.
- Add Cinnamon
- Sprinkle in the ground cinnamon and mix thoroughly.
- Optional: Add Coconut Flakes
- If you like texture, add a small amount of grated coconut flakes. However, if making it for kids, it’s best to leave it smooth.
Step 3: Fill & Freeze
- Prepare the Bags
- Using a measuring cup, pour about 1 cup of the mixture into each small plastic bag.
- Twist the top of the bag tightly and tie a firm knot.
- Arrange for Freezing
- Place the filled bags in a flat container or bowl before transferring to the freezer.
- Avoid placing them directly on wire racks, as they may freeze with indentations.
- Freeze Overnight
- Let the Coconut Ideal freeze for at least 6-8 hours or overnight.
How to Enjoy
- Once frozen, bite a small hole in the corner of the bag and suck out the icy treat.
- Alternatively, cut the top with scissors and enjoy with a spoon.
Tips & Variations
✅ For a thicker, creamier texture, use less water when extracting the coconut milk.
✅ For a vegan version, swap evaporated milk and condensed milk for coconut cream and a natural sweetener like agave or coconut sugar.
✅ For added flavor, mix in vanilla extract or nutmeg.
✅ Experiment with other flavors by adding fruits like mango, pineapple, or even chocolate.
Belizean Coconut Ideal Recipe
Coconut Ideal is a nostalgic Belizean frozen treat that brings back childhood memories of hot summer days. This sweet, creamy frozen delight is packed with the rich flavor of fresh coconut milk and hints of cinnamon. Unlike store-bought frozen treats, this homemade version has no preservatives, making it a healthier and more delicious alternative. Perfect for cooling down on a warm day, this traditional Belizean favorite is simple to make and fun to enjoy!
Enjoy & Stay Cool! 😋
