Ingredients

Scale

1 carton (395 g) sweetened condensed milk
500 ml heavy whipping cream
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut, plus extra for topping

For the Layers

1 to 2 packages Marie biscuits (or similar plain cookies), for dipping
1 cup whole milk, for dipping

For the Topping

Toasted shredded coconut for garnish
Extra shredded coconut for sprinkling

Instructions

Step 1: Set Up the Dipping Station

Pour the whole milk into a shallow bowl wide enough to fit a cookie comfortably. Set it next to your serving dish so you can work quickly and efficiently during assembly. Have your cookies ready to dip one at a time.

Step 2: Make the Coconut Cream Filling

In a large mixing bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until it begins to thicken. Slowly pour in the sweetened condensed milk while the mixer is running on low speed, then increase to medium speed and beat until the mixture is thick, smooth, and holds its shape. Fold in the shredded coconut with a spatula until evenly distributed throughout the cream. The filling should be rich, fluffy, and generously coconutty.

Step 3: Dip and Layer the First Cookie Layer

Working one cookie at a time, dip each biscuit briefly into the milk — a quick one to two second dip on each side is enough. Do not soak them. Over-soaked cookies become too soft immediately and collapse during assembly. They will continue softening during the chilling period and will reach the perfect cake-like texture by the time the dessert is served. Arrange the dipped cookies in a single, close-fitting layer across the bottom of your serving dish, breaking pieces as needed to fill any gaps.

Step 4: Spread the First Cream Layer

Spoon half of the coconut cream filling over the first cookie layer and spread it evenly all the way to the edges using a spatula. Smooth the surface completely flat before adding the next layer.

Step 5: Add the Second Cookie Layer

Dip the remaining cookies in the milk exactly as before — briefly, without soaking — and arrange them in an even layer directly over the cream filling, fitting them as closely together as possible.

Step 6: Add the Final Cream Layer

Spread the remaining coconut cream filling over the second cookie layer, smoothing it into a generous, even layer that covers every cookie completely.

Step 7: Add the Topping

Sprinkle shredded coconut generously across the entire surface of the cream layer. For a more elegant presentation and a deeper, nuttier flavor, toast the coconut first — spread it on a dry pan over medium heat and stir frequently for 2 to 3 minutes until golden and fragrant, then cool before sprinkling.

Step 8: Chill

Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 6 hours. Overnight chilling is strongly recommended. During this time the cookies soften completely into a tender, moist, cake-like texture, the cream sets into a sliceable consistency, and all the layers meld together into a cohesive, beautifully structured dessert that slices cleanly and holds its shape on the plate.

Step 9: Serve

Remove from the refrigerator, uncover, and slice into squares or spoon into portions. Serve directly from the dish, straight from the refrigerator. Each portion should reveal clean, alternating layers of soft cookie and silky coconut cream throughout.

Notes

Do not over-soak the cookies. A brief one to two second dip in milk is all they need. The cookies absorb additional moisture from the cream during chilling and will be perfectly soft by serving time. Over-soaking leads to a soggy, structureless dessert.
Chill overnight for the best texture. Six hours is the minimum, but overnight chilling makes an enormous difference. The layers meld completely, the cookies soften all the way through, and the cream firms up into a perfectly sliceable consistency. The dessert is genuinely better the next day.

Toast the coconut for the topping. Raw shredded coconut is delicious, but toasted coconut on top adds a deeper, nuttier flavor and a pleasant textural contrast to the soft layers beneath. It takes just a few minutes in a dry pan and makes a noticeable difference in the finished presentation.