Beijinho de coco – coconut “little kiss” candies

Beijinho de coco is another classic candy served at birthday parties in Brazil. Beijinho means “little kiss” (beijo=kiss and coco, well… coconut :). Very appropriate for the Valentine’s Day right? Sweet smooches :*.

This candy is very easy to prepare (easier than the brigadeiro), reason why I always volunteered to stir the batter for my mother when I was a kid (and lick the pan when doing dishes! HA!).

I know there are different ways to make the beijinho and some recipes include egg yolks in the batter. The following is how my mother taught me to make it and the recipe comes from her notebook. (Oi manhê! )

Oh, I almost forgot! Traditionally, a clove is stuck on top of each beijinho but I usually don’t add it. Anyways, they are decorations only and nobody really eat them ^_^.

Beijinho de coco – Coconut “little kiss”

yields about 35 small ones

• 1 can (397g) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 100 g unsweetened desiccated shredded coconut
• granulated sugar or coconut flakes (about 1 cup)
• cloves (I didn´t use)
• small paper cups (optional)

Prepare a heat-proof deep plate, greasing with a bit of unsalted butter.

In a heavy-bottomed saucepan mix the condensed milk, butter and desiccated shredded coconut. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden/silicone spatula.

After approximately 15-20 minutes the mixture should get thicker. It starts to get done when you can see the bottom of the pan. For a rough comparison, the batter looks like cold porridge. You will also find it difficult to stir more as you get a defined ball inside your pan.

Remove from heat and lay the mixture into the prepared plate and let cool to room temperature. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rest in the fridge (so it gets easier to mold the candies).

Using a teaspoon, scoop the mixture and using your hands, roll little balls (about ∅2cm). Repeat with the remaining coconut mixture.

Put the granulated sugar (or coconut flakes) in a bowl. Roll the beijinhos in, covering their surface and place them in the paper cups. Stick one clove into each beijinho for decoration.

The candy keeps well in an airtight plastic container for up to 2 days at room temperature or for 1 week in the refrigerator.

I made a little heart-shaped box with beijinhos and brigadeiros to celebrate the Valentine’s Day and the Finnish Friend’s Day ^_^.

Hyvää Ystävänpäivää!!

Ok… I couldn’t resist… having two colors of candy dough, dark and white… I had to make panda shaped candies straightaway…

Need to love pandas right… but hey! Don’t you want to have a bite? ;)

This post was written by karaimame exclusively for Acquiring Taste. All writing, images and other materials in this blog remain the property of Acquiring Taste and cannot be used without permission.