Brazilian coconut kisses (beijinhos de coco) are fudgy coconut balls made with only 4 ingredients in less than 30 minutes. They are as easy and delish as our brigadeiro recipe.
Are you throwing a party soon? Or simply craving something scrumptious yet hassle-free?
These coconut balls call for less than 5 ingredients and are quick and easy to prepare, making the perfect treat for any season and occasion, including birthday parties… or to serve as an afternoon treat.
I made them for my daughter’s Frozen theme party and they were a hit!
I hope you give them a try and enjoy as much as we do!
What is Beijinho?
Beijinhos (singular beijinho or little kiss) mean literally in Portuguese ‘kisses’. They are coconut brigadeiros or a variation of the famous chocolate brigadeiros as many other docinhos (candies or sweets) in Brazil.
They have sweetened condensed milk and butter as the base. The flavoring ingredient (coconut, passion fruit, strawberry gelatin, cocoa powder, etc) is what gives each their name. Coconut is what names the doce beijinhos de coco (literal translation: coconut kisses).
Brazilians serve them as a treat for birthday parties but you can also give them away as Christmas gifts. If your child is crazy for FROZEN, you gotta make these!
I served them at my daughter’s 8th birthday party.
Although I was secretly rooting for her to choose RIO as the theme for her upcoming birthday party, she winded up choosing FROZEN… as many children did a few years ago.
Don’t you agree that they look like SNOWBALLS?
Ingredients and Substitutions
Brazilian coconut kisses (also known in Brazil as beijinhos de coco, beijinhos, or branquinhos) are traditionally made from a mixture of:
- Sweetened condensed milk: It is one of the main ingredients and what makes them fudgy when mixed and cooked with butter. If you want to make them dairy-free, use a dairy-free sweetened condensed milk and butter.
- Coconut flakes: You may use the unsweetened type, but the authentic Brazilian recipe calls for sweetened coconut flakes.
- Butter: You may replace it with coconut butter for a dairy-free treat.
- Egg yolks (OPTIONAL): Some beijinho recipes call for at least an egg yolk to make them richer in flavor and color. But it is optional!
- Vanilla extract (OPTIONAL): This is another optional ingredient but it makes these “candies” tastier.
After briefly cooking, they are rolled into balls, dredged in coconut flakes or sugar, and decorated with a single clove on top.
Does this sound familiar? The process of making them is similar to the ever-popular BRIGADEIROS (or Brazilian chocolate fudge balls)!!!
Coconut Kisses vs. Coconut Truffles
Although coconut kisses and coconut truffles are coconut balls, there is a difference between them.
Our Brazilian coconut kisses are technically a stovetop fudge — and so not the same as truffles. Fudge calls for milk and sugar (or sweetened condensed milk) and butter while truffles are made of ganache (chocolate and heavy cream).
Either one can be coated in coconut flakes though.
Right Consistency
Coconut balls are easy to make. The key to obtaining a fudgy texture without using a candy thermometer (soft-ball stage at 240 °F or 116 °C) is to cook them over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture starts to show the bottom of the pan when you scrape it with your wooden spoon.
It takes about 5-8 minutes depending on the size of your pan and also the amount that you are going to make.
The mixture should be thick enough to reveal the bottom of the pan for a couple of seconds before the mixture levels out again.
After spreading the mixture onto a greased plate to cool completely, you can roll it into balls. If they get too soft to roll, you can chill in the fridge preferably before or after rolling into balls. It will help to firm them!
But anyway, you can always eat the coconut fudge mixture by spoons as we do in Brazil when they are too soft to roll into balls.
How to Roll Coconut Balls
When the beijinho de coco mixture has cooled completely, lightly grease your hands with unsalted butter to prevent the fudge mixture from sticking everywhere.
Then scoop out enough coconut fudge to form a ball using a tablespoon or teaspoon as measurement and roll between your hands into balls.
Place the shredded coconut in a separate plate. Roll the balls in shredded coconut until covered. Then place into bonbon paper cups. If you want, decorate the center of each coconut kiss with a whole clove.
How to make Brazilian coconut kisses (Beijinhos de Coco)
- To make our beijinho recipe, mix the condensed milk, coconut flakes, and butter together. For a richer flavor and color, mix in an egg yolk if you want. SEE PIC. 1
- Cook in a medium non-stick saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture starts to show the bottom of the pan when you scrape it with your wooden spoon (about 5-8 minutes). If you are using a sticky pan, cook it over medium-low heat for a longer time. SEE PICS. 2 and 3 The mixture should be thick enough to reveal the bottom of the pan for a couple of seconds before the mixture levels out again.
- When coconut kisses ‘dough’ is ready, remove from the heat, mix in the vanilla extract, and spread the mixture onto a greased plate. Use butter to grease the plate! SEE PIC. 4
- Let cool to room temperature before starting to roll them into small balls with greased hands. Use a 1/2 or 1 tablespoon as measurement. SEE PIC. 5
- Then, dredge gently in the coconut flakes until totally covered. Place into paper bonbon cups. Stick a whole clove atop (center) of each coconut kiss if desired.
NOTE: The clove is only for decoration and should be removed right before eating!!!
Storage
Store coconut kisses in a clean airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
This is one of those easy freezer recipes that can keep frozen for up to 2 months. Place the coconut balls in a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for at least 2 hours. Then transfer to a freezer bag or plastic container and lay them in one single layer.
Thaw in the fridge before dredging in coconut flakes and serving.
If you would like to infuse these coconut balls with the aroma of cloves, store the candies and cloves in the same container.
More coconut desserts:
- Coconut rolls
- Coconut sugar cookies
- Quindim
- Low carb coconut cookies
- Keto coconut ice cream
- Lemon coconut pound cake
- Queijadinha
- Mango coconut muffins
- Coconut flan
PIN & ENJOY!
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Brazilian Coconut Kisses (Beijinhos de Coco)
Equipment
- pan
- wooden spoon
- plate
Ingredients
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14-ounce or 396 g
- 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes plus more for dredging
- 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter softened (plus more for greasing a plate and your hands)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract optional
- Cloves for garnishing optional
Instructions
- Mix the condensed milk, coconut flakes, and butter together.
- Cook in a medium non-stick saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture starts to show the bottom of the pan when you scrape it with your wood spoon (about 5-8 minutes).
- When coconut kisses 'dough' is ready, remove from the heat, mix in the vanilla extract, and spread the mixture onto a greased plate.
- Let cool to room temperature before starting to roll them into balls with greased hands. Use a 1/2 Tablespoon as measurement. Then, dredge gently in the coconut flakes until totally covered.
- Place into paper bonbon cups. Stick a clove atop (center) of each coconut kiss if desired. The clove is only for decoration and must be removed right before eating!!!
Recipe Notes
- Love fudge? Try our Chocolate Fudge Balls (Brigadeiros)
Nutrition
** Nutrition labels on easyanddelish.com are for educational purposes only. This info is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate, since the nutrition content of recipes can vary based on ingredient brand or source, portion sizes, recipe changes/variations, and other factors. We suggest making your own calculations using your preferred calculator, based on which ingredients you use, or consulting with a registered dietitian to determine nutritional values more precisely.
Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimen, or for any other issue necessitating medical advice.
This post was first published on August 11, 2014.
Lail | With A Spin says
These delicate kisses look and sound a lot like Bangladeshi coconut laddu/naru that I absolutely love. Seriously, what is not to love about creamy smooth condensed milk and coconut. Scrumptious, my friend, totally scrumptious.
Denise Browning says
Thank you, Lail! I would love to try your laddu/naru.
Dedy@Dentist Chef says
What a lovely name for a dessert, i think i’m gonna use my choco condensed milk with this recipe,
or can i add another flavour for this recipe???
can i still called it coconut kisses???
Denise Browning says
We use also a pitted, opened prune under some of these and call them Mother-in-law eyes. Hehe!
Coconut kisses are only made from coconut. If you mix other flavors with it, you gotta call them something else. 🙂
Nydia says
Chocolate ones are called Brigadeiros! They’re also Brazilian made with more or less the same ingredients, but add some cocoa powder. I’m pretty sure it’d turn it out even more Chocolate-y if you use choco condensed milk! Yummmm
SallyBR says
Mais uma donw memory lane…..
sweet memories! I am going to make these for our department soon, it’s kind of sad that one of our grad students hates coconut, so she won’t touch these. It is interesting because she is from India, and hates coconut – can you imagine that???? 😉
Denise Browning says
I cannot imagine an Indian hates coconut. Like us, they have many dishes made from it. But well, what to say?
I hope everyone enjoy these. I ate almost them all by myself. I also butterflied and placed a prune under some of them to have them like olho de sogra, remember?
health tips for women says
Mouth watering recipe.I love it!!
Deb says
Just the name “Coconut Kisses” brings a smile! What a joyful treat, bursting with sweet tempting flavor!
Denise Browning says
Deb: For me, they are even sweeter because they remind me of my childhood.
Raymund says
Wow they looks sinfully sweet and delicious!
I know I will love this and definitely will keep this recipe
Denise Browning says
Hi, Raymund! The good thing about these sweets is they are not only delicious but also guilt-free.
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine says
Such a simple but delicious looking treat Denise! I know your daughter will love these for her party.
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Chris! They want pretty much anything that reminds them of FROZEN. 🙂
Juliana says
Oh Denise…beijinhos de coco…they look so good, creamy and rich…I would love to have a couple of them now…beautiful pictures too!
Have a great week dear 😀
Denise Browning says
Thank you, Juliana! Likewise.
Sugar et al. says
There is something similar in our cuisine I have always loved and grown up eating. Your version has condensed milk…Oh my! I want to try these pretty little treats soon.
Denise Browning says
I hope you have the chance to make these, Sonali! They are a real treat!
Mi Vida en un Dulce says
Wonderul recipe Denise. I love coconut and the kisses you made look incredible.
Denise Browning says
Thanks, dear! I spent my childhood eating them…
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
Very clever, Denise and I bet your daughter had an awesome party! I will have just one bite, please!
Denise Browning says
She will have her party this Saturday. I am serving homemade cupcakes…Her fave!
John@Kitchen Riffs says
I love coconut! We make a coconut kiss that’s fairly similar to this. Such a terrific recipe! Yours looks wonderful — thanks.
Denise Browning says
Thanks, John! Anything made from sweetened condensed milk is awesome.
Francesca says
Bet your little one will love these at her birthday. The problem with these is.. you cant eat 1 !!
Denise Browning says
LOL… It is true!
Rekha Vengalil says
Denise yes Frozen seems to be crazy now. My girl had her birthday too with the Frozen theme 🙂
The coconut kisses looks divine.
Here’s wishing your daughter a very happy birthday and God bless her with the best of life 🙂
Rekha Vengalil says
Sorry meant to say craze but accidentally typed crazy 😉
Denise Browning says
No worries. It is crazy!!!!
Denise Browning says
Thank you, Rekha!!!! Yes, it is crazy how every single girl picks Frozen as the theme of their parties.
Thanks for the birthday wishes. I do appreciate them.
Immaculate says
Anything coconut – am in! These are familiar with one of the special treats we grew up eating. Would definitely be trying this soon.
Denise Browning says
Hi, Immaculate! Coconut is one of my fave ingredients as well. I hope you enjoy these as much as the ones that you grew up eating. Wishing you a great week!
Little Cooking Tips says
Fantastic idea and also very easy to make, like the Brigadeiros. Mirella plans to offer your Brigadeiros at work on her birthday later on September. They’re the perfect treat:)
Have a wonderful week Denise!
Denise Browning says
Panos:
My birthday is also in September — on the 6th! How about Mirella’s? I hope her co-workers and she enjoy brigadeiros which is the most popular bonbon in Brazil. Wishing you both a wonderful week! Thanks so much for stopping by.
Little Cooking Tips says
Hi Denise,
her birthday is on the 22th, you have the same sign she says:) The brigadeiros will be definitely a hit. We tested them before on our ourselves:)
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Panos! Enjoy the brigadeiros, a fave of my eldest daughter… 🙂
Kate @ ¡Hola! Jalapeño says
Wow these sound amazing! My mom used to make something similar but with orange. I haven’t thought about these in so long—yum!
Denise Browning says
Thank you, Kate…I wish I could try your Mother’s orange version…
Denise McCarty says
Hello,
I am looking for a recipe that is VERY similar to this recipe but it has a crunchy candy shell (yellowish color)on the outside of the coconut ball. Do you have a recipe for that?
A co-worker’s mother lives in Brazil and makes them and ships them to my co-worker who shares them with me but I’d love to have the recipe to try to make them. The co-worker’s mother prefers not to share the recipe so I’m trying to find it elsewhere.
Any assistance would be appreciated greatly!
Thank you.
Denise Browning says
Hi, Denise! Yes, I have the recipe that you are talking about. It is called Bala Bahiana or Glass Bonbons. It has a beijinho de coco or coconut kisses inside and a hard shell outside. Here is its recipe link: https://www.easyanddelish.com/glass-bonbons/
Enjoy and have a very Merry Christmas!
Denise says
Hello Denise!
YES, these are exactly what I’ve been looking for! THANK YOU SO much! you have no idea how happy I am right now! (insert happy dance here!).
I can’t wait to make these this week for Christmas!
Thank you so much.
HUGS and Cheers!
Denise M.
Denise Browning says
My pleasure, Denise! Enjoy…
Melissa says
My Grandaughter got invited to a birthday party and they’re Brazilian… they have this cute lil tiny dessert balls with coconut chocolate and in different colors….I just have to try I can’t believe how delicious they are… I’m so embarrassed I only took one… I m kicking myself I should’ve ate more…
Thank you for the recipe… I will sure try to make it … you made it so sound easy
Denise Browning says
Hi Melissa! I am so happy you enjoyed our Brazilian candies in that b-day party. These are made of coconut only. But in brazil we also make some flavored with chocolate and you can cover them in chocolate sprinkles, colorful sprinkles, or coconut flakes. They are called brigadeiros. Here in the blog you can search them under the name “brigadeiro recipe”.
Dessa says
thank you so much for sharing this recipe. We loved it but will add about half the amount of vanilla next time. These are awesome thank you!
Denise Browning says
Glad that you enjoyed these coconut fudge balls, Dessa!!! Feel free to adapt the recipe as desired. Have an awesome weekend!
Ghislaine Cuellar says
In Bahia they have another variation of Beijinhos the Coco… Just follow your recipe to a t, but before rolling them up into a ball, add a small green grape as a filling…
Denise Browning says
How delicious! In Pernambuco, we make the white brigadeiros and add a sour grape before rolling them up. We call them surpresa de uva or uvinha. Enjoy!
Lori says
Thank You Thank You Thank You Denise for giving me a real measurement I can use! I was trying to find a beijinho recipe to figure out how much coconut to use. All the Brazilian recipes are in grams and I don’t own a kitchen scale (I know, it’s embarrassing to admit). I’m having a Minecraft birthday for my 10 year old and with a little blue tint in the sugar crystals I will roll them in, these sweet candies will become Minecraft diamonds. Love your recipes!
Denise Browning says
Lori, I am so glad to find out that you found what you needed. Wishing your child a very happy birthday! Enjoy our beijinhos.
Ray says
I made these for my daughter’s birthday party. What a hit! Thanks for such an unique and delicious coconut fudge recipe.
Becky says
My Girl Scout Troop is making these for World Friendship day. Do you know if they can be frozen? They are very yummy!!
Denise Browning says
Hi, Becky! Yes, they can be frozen. Make them, roll into balls after the dough has completely cool down,place them all in one single layer into an airtight container, and freeze for up to one month. Thaw in the fridge and let come to room temp before placing them into paper bonbon cups. Enjoy!
John / Kitchen Riffs says
These look great. Coconut is one of my favorite desserts flavors (one of my favorite flavors in anything, actually), and this is such a great recipe. Thanks!