Beijinho de coco (coconut kiss) with cardamom

Beijinhos de coco, or coconut kisses, are a typical Brazilian sweet made from condensed milk and coconut. As popular with adults as it is with children, coconut kisses are a staple dish at birthday parties and at bakeries. Given the beijinho's popularity in Brazil, we thought it appropriate to inaugurate our blog with a recipe for this sweet. But, because Curry and Ginga is a blog about Brazilian and Indian cuisine, our recipe comes with a twist: crushed cardamom seeds. A typical indian spice, cardamom adds a subtle aroma of lemons and eucalyptus to this Brazilian dessert without altering too much its original taste. 

Beijinho de coco (coconut kiss) with cardamom

(makes approximately 30 units)

Ingredients:

600 gr condensed milk

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

4 tablespoons coconut milk

2 tablespoons grated desiccated coconut plus extra to decorate

1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder*

How to make:

In a saucepan, mix the condensed milk, the coconut milk, the butter and the cardamom under a low heat. Mixing constantly until the mixture begins to thicken. When the mixture stops sticking to the bottom of the saucepan turn the heat off and add the desiccated coconut. Mix well and leave the sweet to cool. Once cold, roll the sweet into small sized balls and roll these in desiccated coconut to decorate. 

* Try not to use store bought powdered cardamom but crush the seeds yourself at home just before you begin to cook.