308 – Beijinhos – Brazilian Coconut Bonbons / بنبون جوز الهند البرازيلية

Ingredients :

• 1/2 cups (40 grams) dried unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1 can (395 grams) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tablespoon salted butter (or regular butter + pinch of salt)
• Granulated white sugar or more shredded coconut for rolling
• Whole cloves

Directions :

Step 1 – Making the Beijinhos Mixture:
1- Place the sweetened condensed milk in a pan.
2- Add the unsweetened shredded coconut to the condensed milk. Mix well.
3- Add the salted butter (or regular butter + a pinch of salt) to the mixture. the butter has to be soften at room temperature. Mix well.
4- Cook the coconut mixture on medium heat for 5-10 minutes while stirring constantly. You will notice that the mixture will thicken as it cooks. Do not stop stirring or the coconut mixture will become crystallized
5- Remove the beijinhos mixture from the heat, place in a plate (previously brushed with butter) and let it cool down.

Step 2 – Making Beijinhos Balls:
1- Once the beijinhos mixture cools down, roll it into balls (the size of a small walnut). Spread some butter on your hands when rolling the balls so the mixture does not stick to your hands.
2- Roll the balls in cristallized sugar or coconut powder.
3- Place in small paper cups and insert 1 whole cloves in the center of each ball – it’s both for decoration and flavor.

Bon Appetit!