Discover the Sweet Flavors of Brazilian Desserts, including Bolo de Rolo, Quindim

A melting pot of different cultures, Brazil showcases its cultural diversity through its food and sweets. In fact, Brazilian desserts are an amalgamation of flavors and ingredients from its Indigenous traditions, Portuguese colonization, and African influences. These desserts are characterized by their use of tropical fruits and ingredients like condensed milk and nuts.

The diversity of Brazilian pastry is indeed remarkable. From creamy puddings, chewy candies and dense cakes, there is something for every conceivable sweet tooth. Some desserts are quite simple and require only a few ingredients and little preparation; others are more elaborate and are only made for special occasions or holidays. Common to most, however, is the flavor intensity and the comforting sweetness typical of Brazilian cuisine.

With tropical fruits like passion fruit, guava, and coconut available in plenty, it is understandable why many Brazil desserts are fruit-based. Brazil is also known for using condensed milk in many sweet delicacies, which adds that creaminess and sweetness hardly replaceable by other ingredients.

Here are some classic Brazilian desserts that will take your taste buds on a one-way trip to Brazil.

1. Bolo de Rolo (Rolled Cake)

Ingredients:

• 300 gm all-purpose flour
• 250 gm sugar
• 250 gm butter
• 4 large eggs
• 300 gm guava paste
• 100 ml water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

1. Preheat your oven, after greasing a baking tray and lining it with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix in the vanilla extract.
4. Gradually fold in the flour until a smooth batter forms.
5. Spread a thin layer of batter onto the prepared baking sheet and bake until just cooked.
6. In a saucepan, melt the guava paste with water to make a smooth filling.
7. Once the cake is cool, spread a layer of guava filling and roll the cake carefully.
8. Repeat with additional layers, rolling each new layer over the previous one.
9. Slice the rolled cake and serve.

2. Quindim

Ingredients:

• 200 gm sugar
• 100 gm shredded coconut
• 10 egg yolks
• 30 gm butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

1. Preheat your oven and grease small individual baking moulds.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the sugar, shredded coconut, and butter.
3. Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
4. Pour the mixture into the greased moulds.
5. Bake in a water bath until the tops are golden and the quindim are set.
6. Let them cool slightly before unmoulding, then serve.

3. Beijinho de Coco

Ingredients:

• 395 gm sweetened condensed milk
• 100 gm desiccated coconut
• 25 gm butter
• Cloves (for decoration)
• Extra desiccated coconut (for coating)

Method:

1. In a saucepan, combine the condensed milk, desiccated coconut, and butter.
2. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
3. Remove from heat and let it cool.
4. Roll the mixture into small balls and coat them with extra desiccated coconut.
5. Decorate each ball with a clove and serve in paper cups.

4. Pudim de Leite (Brazilian Milk Pudding)

Ingredients:

• 500 ml whole milk
• 400 gm sweetened condensed milk
• 4 large eggs
• 200 gm sugar (for caramel)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

1. Preheat your oven and prepare a bundt pan.
2. In a saucepan, melt the sugar over low heat until it forms a golden caramel.
3. Pour the caramel into the bundt pan, swirling to coat the bottom evenly.
4. In a blender, combine the whole milk, condensed milk, eggs, and vanilla extract.
5. Pour the custard mixture over the caramel in the pan.
6. Bake in a water bath until the pudding is set but still slightly wobbly in the center.
7. Cool, then refrigerate for several hours before unmoulding and serving.

5. Brigadeirão (Chocolate Flan)

Ingredients:

• 395 gm sweetened condensed milk
• 200 ml whole milk
• 100 gm cocoa powder
• 4 large eggs
• 25 gm butter
• 100 gm sugar
• Chocolate sprinkles (for garnish)

Method:

1. Preheat your oven and prepare a flan mould.
2. In a blender, combine the condensed milk, whole milk, cocoa powder, eggs, butter, and sugar.
3. Pour the mixture into the prepared mould.
4. Bake in a water bath until set and firm to the touch.
5. Let the brigadeirão cool before unmoulding and decorating with chocolate sprinkles.

6. Cocada Cremosa (Creamy Coconut Dessert)

Ingredients:

• 400 gm grated coconut
• 200 gm sugar
• 200 ml coconut milk
• 200 ml sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

1. In a large saucepan, combine the grated coconut, sugar, coconut milk, and condensed milk.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and becomes creamy.
3. Stir in the vanilla extract and cook for a few more minutes.
4. Remove from heat and let the cocada cool slightly before serving.

7. Canjica (Brazilian Sweet Corn Pudding)

Ingredients:

• 200 gm dried white corn kernels
• 1 l whole milk
• 200 gm sugar
• 100 ml coconut milk
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 50 gm grated coconut

Method:

1. Soak the white corn kernels in water overnight.
2. Drain the soaked corn and cook it in a large pot with water until tender.
3. Add the milk, coconut milk, sugar, cinnamon stick, and grated coconut to the cooked corn.
4. Simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to a pudding-like consistency.

Serve warm, sprinkled with ground cinnamon if you desire.