Panocha is a sweet thing that has a lot of stories and flavor. Some people say it different ways, like “Panuche” or “Penuche,” but it is always good. It is a kind of candy that makes you think of the old times. Maybe you ate it at your grandma’s house, or maybe you are eating it for the first time. No matter what, this Panocha recipe will make you happy and warm. It will make your house smell good and your mouth taste sweet.
What is Panocha?
Panocha is a sweet thing that comes from places where people speak Spanish. Different places have their own ways of making it, but they are all good and soft and very sweet. Panocha has been here for a long time, and people like it.
Panocha is made with easy things that you probably have in your kitchen. You need brown sugar, milk that is thick and sweet, butter, and some nuts if you want. You cook them together until they are smooth, creamy, and a little dry. It is like a candy that goes away in your mouth.
If you want to know how to make Panocha at home, you are lucky. We have a recipe that will tell you how to do it step by step. You will be able to eat this yummy dessert and give it to your friends and family. So, get ready to have some fun and make some Panocha with us. It is a sweet thing that you will like.
We recently covered Chestnut Bread recipe. We hope you also like.
Panocha Variations
1. Chocolate Panocha
If you like chocolate, you can make your Panocha more good by putting some cocoa powder or melted chocolate in the basic recipe. It will make your Panocha dark and chocolatey.
2. Coffee Panocha
If you like coffee, you can put some instant coffee in the milk that is thick and sweet and make your Panocha taste like coffee. It will make your Panocha have some caffeine.
3. Coconut Panocha
You can make your Panocha taste like a place with palm trees by putting some coconut that is cut into small pieces in the mix. The coconut will make your Panocha have a crunchy texture and a coconut flavor.
4. Fruit and Nut Panocha
You can put some dried fruits and nuts in your Panocha to make it more fruity and nutty. You can use any fruits and nuts you like, like raisins, dates, apricots, almonds, or macadamia nuts. They will make your Panocha have more color and flavor.
5. Spiced Panocha
You can make your Panocha more fun by putting some spices in it. You can use cinnamon, nutmeg, or even chili powder to make your Panocha hot and spicy. The spices will make your Panocha have more flavor.
6. Salted Caramel Panocha
You can make your Panocha more sweet and salty by putting some caramel sauce that has salt in it over it. The caramel sauce will make your Panocha sticky and shiny, and it will make the sweetness have a little saltiness.
7. Pumpkin Spice Panocha
You can make your Panocha good for fall by putting some pumpkin and pumpkin spice in it. The pumpkin will make your Panocha wet and orange, and the pumpkin spice will make your Panocha have a nice flavor.
8. Nutella Panocha
You can make your Panocha very good by putting some Nutella or another thing that has hazelnut and chocolate in it in the mix. The Nutella will make your Panocha creamy, nutty, and chocolatey, and everyone who likes Nutella will like it.
9. Lemon Zest Panocha
You can make your Panocha fresh by putting some lemon peel in it. The lemon peel will make your Panocha have a bright and sour flavor, and it will make the sweetness different.
10. Almond Joy Panocha
You can make your Panocha taste like an Almond Joy candy by putting some coconut that is cut into small pieces, chopped almonds, and small chocolate chips in it. The coconut, almonds, and chocolate chips will make your Panocha have a crunchy and chewy texture and a good flavor.
11. Maple Pecan Panocha
You can make your Panocha taste like maple syrup by using some maple syrup instead of some of the sugar and putting some toasted pecans in it. The maple syrup will make your Panocha have a sweet and smoky flavor, and the pecans will make your Panocha have a nutty crunch.
12. Rum Raisin Panocha
You can make your Panocha have alcohol by putting some raisins in rum before putting them in the mix. The rum will make your Panocha have a flavor that is from a place with palm trees and alcohol, and the raisins will make your Panocha have a chewy texture. Make sure you cook the alcohol away before making the mix hard.
Panocha Recipe
Ingredients
- Unrefined Cane Sugar Panela or Piloncillo: The star ingredient of panocha. You’ll need about 1 pound (450g) of unrefined cane sugar. You can find it in most Latin American or specialty stores.
- Water: Approximately 1 cup 240ml of water.
- Spices Optional: You can add a hint of flavor by including spices like cinnamon sticks, cloves, or anise seeds. Choose your favorite to personalize your panocha.
- Butter: A small amount of butter about 1-2 tablespoons to grease the pan.
- Nuts and Dried Fruits Optional: Some people like to add chopped nuts (such as almonds or walnuts) or dried fruits (like raisins) for extra texture and flavor.
Instructions
- Break the Sugar: Break the brown sugar into small pieces. You can use a knife or a hammer to do this. Smaller pieces will melt faster.
- Mix Sugar and Water: Put the sugar pieces and water in a big pot. If you want to add spices, add them now. Put the pot on medium heat and stir until the sugar melts. This will take about 15-20 minutes.
- Cook the Mix: When the sugar is melted, lower the heat. Keep cooking and stirring the mix. It will become thick and dark.If you have a candy thermometer, cook the mix until it is 240°F (115°C). If you don’t have one, you can check the mix by putting a little bit in cold water. If it makes a soft ball that you can shape with your fingers, it’s done.
- Add Nuts or Fruits: If you want to add nuts or dried fruits, mix them in the pot just before you take it off the heat.
- Pour into the Pan: Take the pot off the heat. Pour the hot mix into the greased pan. Use your spoon or spatula to make it flat.
- Let It Cool: Let the panocha cool down until it is hard. This can take a few hours or overnight.
- Cut and Eat: When the panocha is hard, use a knife to cut it into squares or rectangles. Enjoy your homemade panocha!
Cool very easy.
Yummy dessert I love dessert.