Queijadinha is a gluten-free coconut sweet made with 4 ingredients in less than 30 minutes. It looks like a muffin but it has custardy pie filling consistency. It is perfect for potlucks and get-togethers!
What an afternoon making this Brazilian coconut sweet... My two little ones came to help me in the kitchen -- voluntarily. Nope, I didn't even ask for help or try to pique their curiosity... but they came anyway. The reason: queijadinha, a Portuguese treat very popular in Brazil.
The help was sort of happily efficient-- more happy than efficient-- bursting with questions, and full of declarations of "me first," "now it's my turn," and of course, "I did it better!" Oh, and how could I forget: "Do you pinky promise that I can eat as many as I want?"
Phew! After a while, the treat was finally baking in the oven. Even still, I did not rest a bit. Need I mention that "the help" was waiting impatiently to devour them?
Well, I sure am glad that we made two batches...
Snacktime was unusually quiet. It was milk and their new favorite coconut sweet, then more and more. I cannot blame them. The apple never falls far from the tree... 🙂
Table of Contents
What is queijadinha?
Queijadinha is a type of dessert or sweet from Portugal yet very popular in Brazil. There are many types of "queijadinhas", such as but the traditional sweet is prepared with grated coconut, cheese, sweetened condensed milk, sugar, butter, and egg yolks.
Variations
There are variations of the recipe and its ingredients. Mine doesn't take cheese, butter, and sugar! If you would like to add 1 or 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese to our recipe, go ahead. It will make this dessert a bit less sweet. As for me, I prefer mine as it is!
There are also queijadinha made in different flavors such as queijadinha de laranja (orange), pumpkin, chocolate, among others.
How to store queijadinha
Store in an airtight container or ziploc bag at room temperature. Consume within 2-3 days. Do not freeze because it will alter its consistency!
Ready to be addicted to it?
Other coconut treats:
Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookies (low carb)
Coconut Flour Pancakes (low carb)
Coconut Ice Cream (low carb)
Blueberry Coconut Oatmeal Pudding
Mango Coconut Streusel Muffins
PIN & ENJOY!
Queijadinha (Brazilian Coconut Sweet")
Equipment
- muffin tin
Ingredients
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 oz
- 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
- 2 egg yolks at room temperature and passed through a strainer to remove the clear yolk membrane
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F ( 180 C). Line a mini or standard-size muffin baking pan with paper baking cups.
- In a medium bowl, mix all the ingredients together until obtaining a homogeneous mixture.
- Using a cookie or ice cream scooper, fill ¾ of the paper cups with the batter. Clean off any stray drips from the baking pan with a wet paper towel.
- Bake for about 13 minutes (mini) or for 20 minutes (standard-size). Remove from the oven, let cool and enjoy! Note: It can be served warm or at room temperature. Yield: About 24 mini queijadinhas or 8-10 standard-size
Recipe Notes
2. Queijadinha is a kind of baked goodie that originated in Portugal, and is popular in Brazil. There are many types of "queijadinhas", but the traditional one is prepared with grated coconut, cheese, sweetened condensed milk, sugar, butter, and egg yolks. As you can see, my type doesn't take cheese, butter, and sugar!
3. If you would like to add 1 or 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese to our recipe, go ahead. It will make our queijadinha de laranja a bit less sweet. As for me, I prefer mine as it is!
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.
Debra says
This is yummy. However, as a Brazilian it is not "Queijadinha" without the "queijo" = cheese. I added 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan 🙂 The cheese also helps to hold the dessert together as you eat them slightly warm to cool! Thank you for the recipe!.
Denise Browning says
Thank you, Debra! I enjoy mine with Parm cheese too and I can barely notice its taste in this recipe, but somehow my family and my non-Brazilian audience find it odd. I think it also helps to balance the sweetness of the condensed milk. But I will let them decide whether they want to add the cheese or not. 🙂 I am glad you did it!
Debra says
Exactly, Denise! The cheese (and using fresh, grated Parmesan, not the ground kind) keeps this recipe from being too sweet! They probably cheesecake...just saying. Sometimes, I just don't tell people what is in it and th just say, "yum"! Ha ha Thanks, again!
Emilia Rosa says
Debra, we always cool ours in the fridge before eating.
Denise Browning says
Hi Emilia! You can eat these queijadinhas slightly warm, chilled, or at room temp. It depends on each person's preference!
Emilia says
My grandmother's Queijadinha also had grated Parmesan. It might sound strange, but it imparted a very special flavor to the Queijadinha. I believe I still have a recipe from a sweetened condensed milk can that also has Parmesan among its ingredients.
Deeksha says
This look delicous. Thank you so much for the recipe.
Denise Browning says
Hi Dee! Yes, queijadinha is a delicious yet quick Brazilian dessert made with very few ingredients and ideal for those on a gluten-free diet.
Wafa says
My husband decided to make these, and added Chocolat chips! They tasted absolutely amazing, but we couldn't get them out of the muffin wrappers! They were stuck to them! Any idea what's the reason? We had to scrape them out of the wrappers 🙁
Denise Browning says
Wafa:
Thank you for trying this recipe. I am glad you guys enjoyed it. They are suppose to be sticky because the texture is more similar to a custardy pie filling. In order to take them out of the paper baking cups, I let them cool down completely before eating. I have found this to be the only way I am able to peel away the paper without the queijadinhas sticking to the sides. Even still, it is almost unavoidable that some will stick to the bottom. You may try folding stiff beaten egg whites into the batter before baking (this will provide more structure to the batter) OR grease well with butter a muffin tin and bake the queijadinhas without the paper cups, letting them cool to a warm temperature before running a knife around the sides to loosen them. I hope this helps next time you make them! Have a wonderful weekend!
Wafa says
We will definitely experiment with these options! Thank you so much 🙂
Magda says
I leave my queijadinhas in the oven until they are golden on top.
Denise Browning says
Hi, Magda! Welcome to FBTY and thanks for stopping by!
Although mine are also golden on top, I prefer to time them in the oven because if they are left for a longer time they can become dry once cooling down. I prefer mine moist and creamy yet firm. If desired, you can add 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese to the recipe but I prefer mine like these ones that are sweet. 🙂
I hope you can try this recipe and enjoy! Wishing you an awesome day!
MARGARITA CANO says
ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO BE MOIST? DO THEY FALL APART BECAUSE OF NO FLOUR???
THANK YOU
Denise Browning says
Hi, Margarita!
They are moist and gooey (not fluffy). The texture is similar to a FIRM coconut custard pie filling. They will not fall apart at all -- not even when they are still hot! The coconut flakes provide enough structure to this baked goodie. I hope you try and enjoy. It is a family favorite!
Rachel says
Com essas duas graciosas assistentes, deu vontade de provar agora mesmo!
Vou fazer em casa a versão básica e a de maracujá.
Obrigada pelas receitas. Beijos nas fofas
Denise Browning says
Obrigada, Rachel! Espero que voce goste. A de maracuja e a minha favorita.
Jaime says
What cute assistants you have! 🙂
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Jaime! They are the best ones. Love to cook with them. I already promised them that we'll cook again on spring break. We will be making their favs: Brazilian cheese rolls and brigadeiros (chocolate truffles). The excitement is high here... 🙂