Brazilian Coconut Truffles (Beijinho)
Make Brazilian coconut truffles with sweetened condensed milk, shredded coconut, and butter. Roll them in coconut and top with a clove. Includes detailed tips for getting the right consistency.
- Total time 1 h 35 min
- Prep time 25 min
- Cooking 10 min
- Rest or chill time 1 h
- Makes about 20 small coconut truffles
- Difficulty Easy
Beijinho is brigadeiro’s white, coconut-flavored cousin. Shredded coconut replaces the chocolate and absorbs some of the moisture, helping the candy firm up. That’s why it reaches the rolling stage a little sooner than brigadeiro.
Use unsweetened shredded coconut; the sweetened condensed milk adds plenty of sweetness. The clove on top is a traditional party decoration and is meant to be removed before eating.
Ingredients
Amounts for 20 servings (about 20 small coconut truffles).
Equipment
- Pot
- Wooden spoon
- Paper baking cups
Instructions
-
Step 1 Mix in the pot
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the sweetened condensed milk, butter, and shredded coconut.
- 1 can of sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
-
Step 2 Cook until it pulls away
Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for about 8 to 10 minutes, until the mixture pulls away from the bottom of the pan when you tilt it.
About 10 min
-
Step 3 Let it cool
Transfer the mixture to a buttered plate and let it cool completely, about 1 hour.
- 1 teaspoon butter, for greasing the plate and your hands
About 1 h
-
Step 4 Roll in coconut
With lightly buttered hands, roll the mixture into balls and coat them in the reserved shredded coconut. If you like, press a clove into the top of each one.
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 20 whole cloves
-
Step 5 Serve
Place in mini paper cups. Let everyone know the clove is just for decoration.
Tips for success
- Moist shredded coconut (from a refrigerated package or fresh) makes softer truffles; dried coconut makes them firmer.
- For a more intense coconut flavor, stir 2 tablespoons of coconut milk into the mixture before cooking and cook for 2 minutes longer.
- If the mixture is too soft once cooled, return it to the heat for another 2 minutes.
Substitutions
- Whole cloves
- You can leave it out or replace it with a white sprinkle.
How to store
Store in a covered container for up to 3 days in a cool place or 7 days in the refrigerator.
Allergens
Contains: Dairy.
Packaged ingredients may contain traces of other allergens. Always check the labels of the brands you use.
Published October 13, 2026. US measurements: 1 cup = 240 mL, 1 tablespoon = 15 mL, 1 teaspoon = 5 mL; 1 oz = 28 g.