Brazilian Sweets

The dessert tables in Brazilian parties are always filled with a lot of sweets, which we call "docinhos" in Portuguese. They are made mainly with sweetened condensed milk mixed with nuts, fruits or chocolate, and then shaped as little balls. They are decorated with sprinkles, sugar or nuts, according to the chose flavor. Today I will share with you some of the most popular Brazilian sweets: brigadeiro, beijinho and bananinha. These three in special are great treats for kid parties. They are simple to prepare and beautiful for embellishing the dessert table.

I already used a lot of brigadeiro in other recipes, but today I prepared the traditional one. It uses cocoa powder instead of chocolate. You can decorate them with colored or chocolate sprinkles. Beijinho is made with coconut, sugar and condensed milk, coated in sugar. It is traditionally decorated with one clove, buy I used one raisin this time. Bananinha is made with very ripe bananas, sugar and gelatin, coated in sugar.  The preparation method for all these three sweets is basically the same: cooking and stirring all the ingredients on medium heat until you get a thick consistency. I'm sure you will love them! Happy weekend!

Brigadeiro

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

3 Tb cocoa powder

sprinkles for coating

Place all the ingredients into a medium saucepan. Over low heat, stir the mixture until thick consistency or it starts to show the bottom of the pan while you scrape it with a spoon (about 15 min).  Transfer to a greased bowl. Grease your hands with butter, take small portions of dough and shape it as little balls. Coat them with sprinkles and place them in small paper cups.

Beijinho

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

7 oz fresh grated coconut or coconut flakes

sugar for coating

Place all the ingredients into a medium saucepan. Over low heat, stir the mixture until  thick consistency. Transfer to a greased bowl. Grease your hands with butter, take small portions of dough and shape it as little balls. Coat them with sugar and place them in small paper cups.

Bananinha

makes about 20 little balls

7 ripe bananas

1 box red gelatin powder (flavor of your choice)

3 1/2 cups of sugar

Butter for greasing

Sugar for dusting

Peel the bananas and mash with a fork or blender.

In a saucepan, place the mashed bananas, 1 box gelatin powder and 3 1/2 cups of sugar.

Over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick consistency or when you can see the bottom of the pan (about 30 min).

Place the dough in a greased plate with butter and let it cool.

Grease your hands with butter, take small portions of dough and shape it as little balls. Coat them with sugar and place them in small paper cups.