Description
Beijinho is a traditional Brazilian coconut sweet made from sweetened condensed milk, grated coconut, and butter, cooked until thickened, shaped into small balls, rolled in coconut, and decorated with cloves. This simple and delicious treat is perfect for parties and special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 can (14oz/396g) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 â…“ cups (100g) unsweetened grated coconut
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (plus more for greasing plate and hands)
For Rolling and Decoration
- Grated coconut for rolling
- Whole cloves for decorating
Instructions
- Cook the mixture: In a medium-sized saucepan or small Dutch Oven, combine the sweetened condensed milk, grated coconut, and butter. Cook over medium-low heat for 10-20 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and leaves a trail when a rubber spatula runs through it. Alternatively, cook until it reaches 190º-200ºF (88º-95ºC).
- Cool the mixture: Transfer the thickened mixture to a generously buttered plate and spread into a single even layer. Cover with plastic wrap and let it cool completely to room temperature.
- Shape the balls: Once cooled, grease your hands with butter and use about 1 tablespoon of mixture to form smooth, round balls roughly the size of a cherry. This recipe yields about 20 to 25 balls.
- Roll and decorate: Spread grated or shredded coconut on a plate. Roll each ball in the coconut to coat entirely, then insert one whole clove into the center of each ball for decoration.
- Serve: Serve the beijinhos as-is or placed in small paper cups. Remind guests to remove the cloves before eating for safety.
Notes
- Use unsweetened grated coconut for the authentic texture and flavor.
- Butter helps prevent sticking and adds richness, but can be omitted if dairy-free substitutes are preferred.
- The mixture needs to be thick enough to hold shape but not too dense; cooking time may vary slightly based on your stove.
- If you don’t have a thermometer, look for the trail the spatula leaves as an indicator of doneness.
- Be careful when inserting cloves; they are only for decoration and must be removed before eating.
