Presenting Da Kokoleka!!!!! with recipe!!

If I had to name a hometown, I'd have to claim Hawaii. I lived there for a total of 7 years, which is longer than anyplace else I've ever lived. My heart is certainly Hawaiian, even if I can't speak Pidgin and was only lucky enough to try surfing a few times.

One of our favorite places to eat there is Big Kahuna's Pizza.   Their pizza is amazing! Their old location was kind of out of the way, but now they are in a strip mall right next to the airport.   If you are on Oahu and don't go to this place, you are really missing out.

Man, this post would be so much more fun if I could write it in pidgin!!  Too bad I'm not that cool!

So, other than pizza, they have AMAZING desserts, my favorite of which is Da Kokoleka. Today, almost 3 years after leaving the islands for probably the last time (**sniff, sniff!**) I was at the grocery store and found shortbread on sale. That inspired me to make Da Kokoleka.  My version was a bit softer than the real thing, but I liked it a bit better that way.  The real thing's shortbread is HARD like croutons, and the pudding is THICK because it's given more than 5 minutes to set up.

So here are the VERY complicated Instructions!!

1. Make Pudding according to the box.
2. Chop up macadamia nuts to a Grape Nut cereal consistency.
3. Cut Shortbread cookies into chunks (Or break them, or leave them whole)

In a bowl, put a bunch of shortbread, plop on some chocolate pudding, top with coconut and nuts.

 If you really need calories, add some whipped cream!



That's it.  It's so easy my 4-year-old did most of it for me.  We love our old-fashioned egg beater!