These two bars can also be cut into halves and tied up in squares of muslin to make really pretty pressies.

• 1 ripe banana, mashed
• 1 cup desiccated coconut
• 2 tablespoonfuls coconut oil, liquefied
• ½ cup icing sugar, sifted, plus extra for dusting, optional
• pink natural food colouring, optional

Mix together the mashed banana and icing sugar and stir in the coconut. Melt the coconut oil over warm water so it turns liquid. Add the liquid coconut oil to the mixture and blend with a hand mixer or food processor. When the mixture becomes stiff divide into two parts.

Color one half of the mixture with a few drops of natural food coloring.

Shape the mixture into two identical bars and press firmly together.

Dust a tin or plate with icing sugar, place the coconut ice on this and refrigerate until firm.

Serves two.