These sweet, subtly spiced treats are a great alternative to a heavy pudding on a warm day, from Felicity Cloake's perfect picnic.
Makes 25 squares
250ml condensed milk
5 cardamom pods, crushed
225g icing sugar, sifted, plus extra to dust
200g desiccated coconut
Pink food colouring
Put the condensed milk and cardamom pods into a pan and heat gently, stirring constantly, until just simmering, then set aside for 45 minutes.
Stir the icing sugar and coconut together. Remove the cardamom pods from the milk and discard, then pour the milk into the bowl and mix well - it should be dough-like in consistency.
Divide in half, and put into separate bowls. Add a few drops of food colouring to one of the bowls, and work through until evenly coloured.
Dust a work surface with icing sugar, and shape the white dough into a rough rectangle about 1.5cm thick (a rolling pin may be helpful). Do the same with the pink dough, and place on top.
Transfer to a board and leave to set overnight. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container.