Beijinho de Coco - Brazilian Coconut Balls Recipe with Condensed Milk (2024)

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Nearly as famous as Brigadeiros, these beijinhos de coco are an easy 4-ingredient Brazilian coconut balls recipe your familia and amigos will LOVE. They’re essentially coconut fudge, rolled into bite-sized balls that are sinfully sweet and delicious, cute as buttons and great for parties and holidays year round. They’re even great to make as a gift!

If you love Brazilian sweets, don’t forget to try: Brigadeiro Recipe – Brazilian Fudge Balls, Brigadeiro Cake Recipe, Brazilian Flan Recipe.

Beijinho de Coco - Brazilian Coconut Balls Recipe with Condensed Milk (1)

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Beijinho de Coco – A Classic Brazilian Sweet

Oi gente!

This Brazilian coconut balls recipe called beijinho de coco in Portuguese, is another Brazilian party classic we cannot forget about, especially if you or a loved one is a coconut lover. And speaking of love, beijinho de coco, literally translates to coconut kiss, which makes total sense, because, what better way to tell someone you love them than with sweet coconut kisses?

Like the good Brazilian gal that I am, I grew up eating these at almost every birthday or holiday. This coconut balls recipe is one of the many sweets we love to use as edible decorations around a pretty Brigadeiro cake table, along with brigadeiros, and other docinhos because we don’t fear a sugar rush! We’re stronger than that, haha.

Besides, a table with edible cutesey sweets is way better than one full of things I cannot eat, like fake plants and candles, so there…

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These are a childhood treat that I love to not only enjoy, but also make as a homemade gift to friends, neighbors, co-workers and anyone else who might need a boost! I sometimes make a mixed box with brigadeiro so they can have both to enjoy.

This is a great make ahead dessert recipe, too. I love that you can make the mixture the night before, then just roll the balls in the morning — and, if you’re a parent, you can have the kids help roll and decorate with you. It’s so fun!

Turn your next celebration into a real Brazilian festa with these coconutty treats.

Beijinhos xx

Brazilian Coconut Balls Recipe Ingredients

  • Beijinho de Coco - Brazilian Coconut Balls Recipe with Condensed Milk (3)
  • Beijinho de Coco - Brazilian Coconut Balls Recipe with Condensed Milk (4)

OK, so we’re clear, do not eat the cloves! If you choose to use them, make sure to remove them before eating the coconut balls.

Then, why do we use cloves in beijinho de coco?

  1. They add aroma.
  2. They infuse their aroma into the coconut balls recipe and that aroma cuts through some of the sweetness of the beijinhos.
  3. If this is some nonsense you can’t fully commit to, you can add cloves to just a few of the coconut balls, or none at all—it’s up to you!

And speaking of things that are up to you, while it’s not traditional, you can also use toasted coconut on the outside of the coconut fudge balls. OR you can dye the coconut and make them the color you want to create your own little festive look.

Other Coconut Recipes you’ll love: Batida de Coco – Brazilian Coconut co*cktail / Canjica – Brazilian Corn and Coconut Porridge / Pudim de Tapioca – Brazilian Tapioca Pudding

How to make this Brazilian Coconut Balls Recipe

Beijinho de Coco - Brazilian Coconut Balls Recipe with Condensed Milk (5)

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Before you get started on cooking these coconut fudge balls, get your ingredients in order. And if your shredded coconut is in long strands, like the photo above (on the left), throw it into your food processor and pulse a few times to make it smaller and more consistent (like in the image on the right).

Beijinho de Coco - Brazilian Coconut Balls Recipe with Condensed Milk (6)

Then, just add the condensed milk, the butter, and the cream to a medium saucepan and heat it up until the butter melts.

After the butter has melted, add half of the shredded coconut to the pan and stir until combined. And keep cooking over medium heat, stirring continually and scraping the sides and the bottom of the pan with a spatula. We need to do this to avoid burning the mixture and having to start over again.

It’ll take about 10 or so minutes for our beijinho mixture to get to the consistency that we want, which is when we scrape the bottom of the pan, and the mixture takes 2-3 seconds to come back to its place, or when the mixture reaches 210F-220F. (You can use a candy thermometer or just a regular food thermometer to check.)

A note about the consistency of the Beijinho de Coco Mixture:

We Brazilians were born wired to make condensed milk rolled desserts, like this coconut balls recipe. We’ve watched our moms and grandmas make them our whole lives, so we’ve experienced the making process from an early age.

If you’ve never made a condensed milk fudge ball dessert before, the secret is practice, trial and sometimes error.

And hey, even if the coconut balls don’t roll properly, you can still eat them with a spoon, which is a special kind of fun, too!

Beijinho de Coco - Brazilian Coconut Balls Recipe with Condensed Milk (7)

After you’re done cooking, pour the hot coconut mixture into a dish, or plate, cover with plastic wrap to contact (so a film doesn’t form over the top of the coconut fudge) and let it cool completely.

This should take about 2 hours, but you can let it cool overnight in the fridge, too!

How to Roll Your Coconut Balls

Beijinho de Coco - Brazilian Coconut Balls Recipe with Condensed Milk (8)

Pour the remaining shredded coconut into a deep plate or bowl. You want there to be some depth here because you need some room to roll the coconut fudge balls around in the coconut.

When the beijinho mixture has cooled completely, lightly butter your hands and the scoop or spoon you’re using. This will prevent the fudge mixture from sticking everywhere.

Using a 1/2 to 1 tablespoon cookie scoop, or a spoon, scoop out the coconut fudge, and roll between your hands into little balls.

Beijinho de Coco - Brazilian Coconut Balls Recipe with Condensed Milk (9)

Then just roll the little balls in the shredded coconut, and push a whole clove into each little coconut ball to decorate, if desired.

Don’t push it too far in because you’ll need to remove it before eating!

Beijinho de Coco - Brazilian Coconut Balls Recipe with Condensed Milk (10)

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Store the coconut fudge balls in a cool place or in the refrigerator until serving time.

We can serve these coconut fudge balls with condensed milk in a tray or you can put them in cute candy cups like this that match the theme of your party and make everything so much cuter and happier.

A note on storing this coconut balls recipe:

When you store these coconut fudge balls, if you store some with cloves alongside ones without, they’ll all will soak in the aroma of the cloves!

If you don’t want any trace of cloves in your coconut balls, store them in separate containers.

Beijinho de Coco - Brazilian Coconut Balls Recipe with Condensed Milk (11)

More Brazilian Recipes Perfect for a Party:

Along with this Coconut Balls recipe, we’ve got a lot of other fun party treats! Here are a few of them:

  • Cachorro Quente – Brazilian Hot Dogs
  • Pao de Queijo – Brazilian Cheese Bread
  • Caipirinha Recipe

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Beijinho de Coco - Brazilian Coconut Balls Recipe with Condensed Milk (12)

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5 from 110 votes

Beijinho de Coco – Brazilian Coconut Balls Recipe

Nearly as famous as Brigadeiros, these beijinhos de coco are an easy 4-ingredient Brazilian coconut balls recipe your familia and amigos will LOVE. They're essentially coconut fudge rolled into bite-sized balls, that are sinfully sweet and delicious, cute as buttons and great for parties and holidays year round. They're even great to make as a gift.

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cooling Time: 2 hours hours

Total Time: 2 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 16 balls

Calories: 60kcal

Author: Aline Shaw

Ingredients

  • 1 14oz can of sweet condensed milk
  • 1 cup of unsweetened, shredded coconut
  • 1 tablespoon of butter plus a little more for your hands
  • 1/4 cup of heavy cream
  • 16 whole cloves for decorating optional

Instructions

  • Add the condensed milk, the butter, and the cream to a medium sauce pan and place it over medium heat until the butter melts.

  • After the butter has melted, add half of the shredded coconut (1/2 cup) to the pan and stir.

  • Continue to cook over medium heat, for approximately 10 mins, stirring repeatedly, scraping the sides and the bottom of the pan with a spatula to avoid burning.

  • The beijinho is ready when you scrape the bottom of the pan, and the mixture takes 2-3 seconds to come back to its place, or when the mixture reaches 210F-220F – You can use a candy thermometer, or just a regular food thermometer to check.

  • Pour the hot coconut mixture into a dish, or plate, cover with plastic wrap to contact and let it cool – about 2 hours.

  • Meanwhile, pour the remaining shredded coconut in a deep plate or bowl.

  • When the beijinho mixture has cooled, butter your hands, and scoop 1/2 Tbsp to Tbsp portions and roll little balls.

  • Roll the little balls in the shredded coconut, and insert a whole clove to each little coconut ball to decorate, if desired.

  • Keep them in a cool place or in the refrigerator until serving time.

Bom Apetite!!

    Did you make this recipe? Show me how it turned out! Snap a photo and share with me on Instagram tagging @aline_shaw!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1ball | Calories: 60kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 45mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 78IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg

    Beijinho de Coco - Brazilian Coconut Balls Recipe with Condensed Milk (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the difference between condensed milk and coconut condensed milk? ›

    Our food director Amira says: “Coconut sweetened condensed milk is the vegan alternative to sweetened condensed milk as it contains no dairy.” It has a similar viscosity and texture to dairy condensed milk but with a delicious but subtle coconut flavour.

    What is beijinho made of? ›

    Beijinho (Portuguese pronunciation: [bej'ʒĩɲu]; "little kiss" in Portuguese), also known as branquinho ("little white one"), is a typical Brazilian birthday party candy prepared with condensed milk, grated desiccated coconut, rolled over caster sugar or grated coconut and frequently topped with a clove.

    Can you freeze sweetened condensed coconut milk? ›

    Whether you're a fan of almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, or oat milk, you can freeze it using the same techniques as dairy milk.

    What is condensed milk used for? ›

    Condensed milk is a kitchen staple around the world, including in Asia, where it's used to sweeten drinks, as with Thai Iced Tea (pictured above), or snacks, such as this Hong Kong-Style Condensed Milk Toast; Latin America, where it stars in confections such as Tres Leches Cake; and in desserts across Europe and the ...

    Can I replace coconut milk with condensed milk? ›

    But if you're avoiding dairy, the only thing that can sometimes substitute for condensed milk “as is” is full-fat coconut milk. However, full-fat coconut milk may not have the condensed milk consistency you're going for.

    Why is condensed milk not advisable? ›

    Because condensed milk is more concentrated than the same volume of regular milk, it contains more lactose. Sweetened condensed milk includes a lot of calories, but it also has a lot of saturated fat, which is dangerous for people with diabetes and heart issues.

    What is a beijinho in English? ›

    beijinho FOOD :

    coconut kiss (coconut candy made with condensed milk)

    What is the history of Beijinho? ›

    The name “beijinho” translates to “l*ttle kiss” in Portuguese, which captures perfectly its bite-sized charm. The roots of this treat can be traced to Portugal, where it was known as “beijo de freira” (nun's kiss) – because it was made in convents – and made with almonds and a sugar syrup.

    Does condensed coconut milk need to be refrigerated? ›

    Remove from the heat, and allow to cool completely before using in recipes. This sweetened condensed coconut milk should last for at least a week when stored in a sealed container in the fridge.

    Should condensed milk be refrigerated? ›

    Sweetened condensed milk has a longer shelf time due to its high level of sugar. Canned condensed milk can be shelved for up to a year even without refrigeration. However, after being exposed to air, canned condensed milk must be stored in the refrigerator, decreasing its shelf time significantly.

    What can be made from sweetened condensed coconut milk? ›

    Sweetened condensed milk coconut recipes (1,697)
    1. Coconut Pecan Cake. ...
    2. Coconut 🥥 Macaroons. ...
    3. Easy and Delicious Coconut Macaroons. ...
    4. Coconut Squares. ...
    5. Coconut Milk Jam. ...
    6. Ynielle's Soursop Cheesecake w/ Desiccated Coconut. ...
    7. Easy Condensed milk cake. ...
    8. Coconut Macaroons.

    What can I do with a can of sweetened condensed milk? ›

    Ways to Use Sweetened Condensed Milk
    1. Make a latte or iced coffee: This one might be obvious, but sweetened condensed milk is the perfect way to make a deliciously sweet and creamy latte or iced coffee.
    2. Spread it on a pastry, toast, or a croissant (especially our Mocha Creamer!)
    3. Drizzle on oatmeal.
    Aug 16, 2023

    Can you drink straight condensed milk? ›

    Can I drink sweetened condensed milk? It is a ready-to-use product so it may be consumed without any other preparation. You can add it to everyday items like in your coffee, on toast with cinnamon, on fruit or yogurt, and in any way you see fit.

    Is there a difference between sweetened condensed milk and condensed milk? ›

    Condensed milk is referred to as both condensed milk and sweetened condensed milk; the names are synonymous. This shelf-stable product is a form of concentrated milk in which about 60 percent of the water content has been removed, after which sugar is added before canning.

    Is coconut condensed milk better for you? ›

    Condensed coconut milk may offer several health benefits: Weight Loss: Coconut milk contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) which stimulate energy through a process called thermogenesis, or heat production. This can help reduce body weight and fat buildup, increase insulin sensitivity, and boost exercise endurance3.

    Are there two types of condensed milk? ›

    Here's another way to think of it: Condensed milk is evaporated milk with added sugar. Sweetened evaporated milk exists in the form of condensed milk, but there's no such thing as unsweetened condensed milk — that's just evaporated milk.

    Is Coco Lopez sweetened condensed coconut milk? ›

    There's one major difference, however: Coco López comes directly from coconut meat, not coconut milk, which gives it a slightly thicker, creamier consistency.

    Is condensed milk the same as Carmel? ›

    The key difference between these two is that dulce de leche is made from condensed milk, or milk and sugar, and caramel is made from sugar and water.

    References

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