Coconut Kisses (Beijinho de Coco)
Beijinho de Coco—sweet coconut kisses from my grandma’s Brazilian kitchen. A nostalgic treat perfect for birthdays, parties, and sharing with loved ones!
Equipment
- Small Saucepan
- Mixing bowl or plate to cool the mixture before rolling.
- fine mesh sieve if using egg yolk) – For removing the membrane.
- Small paper liners optional, see notes
Ingredients
- 80 g sweetened shredded coconut (approx. 1 cup)
- 1 egg yolk see notes
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk 300ml/395g(14 oz if you are in the US)
To Decorate
- 20 cloves for decorating or jujubes (see notes) optional
- butter to grease your hands
- shredded coconut or granulated sugar see notes
Instructions
- In a small pan, add the sweetened condensed milk, butter, and 1 cup shredded coconut. Heat on low, stirring constantly with a silicone spatula until the butter has melted.
- Continue to stir for about 20 minutes, scraping the bottom and sides of the pan to prevent burning. The mixture should thicken to a point where it easily pulls away from the pan.
- To check for the right consistency, tilt the pan slightly—when the mixture separates from the pan, it’s ready.
- Transfer the mixture to a shallow dish and let it cool completely at room temperature before rolling.
- Once cooled, separate 20 candy cup liners. Place some shredded coconut in a shallow dish
- To shape the beijinhos, lightly grease your hands with butter and roll a portion of the mixture into a ball.
- Roll the ball in the shredded coconut, covering it completely, then place it in a candy cup and decorate with a clove.
- Repeat with the remaining mixture until done. Add more shredded coconut to the dish and more butter to your hands as needed.
- Keep the brigadeiros at room temperature until ready to serve for the best texture and flavor.
Video
Notes
Egg Yolk: If using, the egg yolk adds a rich texture to the beijinhos. To remove the membrane, gently pinch the egg yolk with your thumb and index finger. The yolk will burst, leaving the membrane, which you can discard. Alternatively, use a fine mesh sieve, bursting the yolk and letting it drip through (be patient!).
Shredded Coconut: You can use sweetened or unsweetened coconut depending on your preference.
Toppings: You can roll your coconut kisses in shredded coconut or turbinado sugar.
Decoration: Clove adds a traditional touch, but you can skip it if you prefer!
Jujube Alternative: Instead of a clove, you can use tiny pieces of jujube (gummy candy like gummy bears) to decorate the beijinhos, matching the party theme. For example, red jujubes for a Spider-Man party or colorful ones for a fun, festive celebration. You’ll need just a few small pieces per beijinho.
Paper Cups: Finding the perfect brigadeiro liners outside of Brazil can be tricky, but don’t worry! Search for truffle paper cups, candy paper cups or brigadeiro liners on sites like Etsy or Amazon. For special occasions, you’ll find beautiful options, but simple liners work just as well and are more budget-friendly.
Please note calories provided are only a rough estimate.