Sugar Savvy

I recently had the opportunity to spend a couple of weeks in Brazil and experienced more than just a taste of the local cuisine. I was surprised to find that condensed milk was so ubiquitous there. The continental breakfasts at my hotels all featured a bowl of sweetened condensed milk in the buffet spread, and people drizzled it over pastries, cakes, cereals, yogurts, and fruit. Desert at lunch was often flan, chocolate bars came in condensed milk flavors, and sweets made with caramelized condensed milk could be found in all the candy shops and bakeries that I visited.

Brigadeiro, photo courtesy of wikipedia.org

Fortunately, you don’t have to travel all the way to Brazil to enjoy Brazilian sweets. The following recipes for brigadeiros, beijinhos de coco, and cajuzinhos are quite simple, if rather messy, and can easily be made at home. If you have kids, get them to help you. They’ll love forming the sticky, sweet caramel, and they’ll love eating the resulting treats even more!

Brigadeiros (brigadiers)
In a saucepan over low heat, mix one can (14 oz.) of sweetened condensed milk and one tablespoon of cocoa powder. You can add more cocoa powder if you want your brigadeiros to be more chocolatey. Up to half a stick of butter can be added for taste or texture, but my brigadeiros have turned out fine without adding any butter. Stir the mixture constantly while it caramelizes. It will be ready a few minutes after you can see the bottom of the pan while stirring. Pour the caramel into a greased pan and let it completely cool.

Butter your hands (it feels icky, but it definitely works to keep the caramel from adhering to your skin) and form the caramel into ping-pong ball-sized balls. Roll the balls in chocolate sprinkles/jimmies or cocoa powder to coat them, and place them in little paper cups. Serve and enjoy!

Beijinhos de coco (coconut kisses)

Mix one can of sweetened condensed milk, one teaspoon of vanilla extract, one cup of coconut flakes or shredded coconut, and up to half a stick of butter. Cook and cool as in the brigadeiro recipe. Form into balls and roll in granulated sugar or in more coconut. Serve and enjoy!

Cajuzinhos (little cashews)

Mix one can of sweetened condensed milk, one tablespoon cocoa power (more to taste if desired), one cup of ground roasted nuts (peanuts or cashews are often used), and up to half a stick of butter. Cook and cool as in the brigadeiro recipe. Form into cones or cashew shapes and roll in granulated sugar or in more ground nuts. Serve and enjoy!

These recipes will send your tastebuds to southern hemisphere. And if you ever get the chance, go experience Brazil for yourself!

Rio de Janeiro at sunset; photo courtesy of Gang Chen