Cajuzinhos cashews” in Portuguese, are traditional Brazilian sweets often served at birthday and New Year's celebrations. These small candies are made with peanuts, sugar, and condensed milk, and their shape resembles that of a cashew nut. They are somewhat reminiscent of Snickers bars and are irresistible to peanut lovers, but much less so for those on a diet! Naturally gluten-free, Cajuzinhos are perfect for a sweet finishing touch to your meals or buffets.
Ingredients
Preparation
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To prepare the Cajuzinho batter: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the sweetened condensed milk, ground peanuts, cocoa powder, and butter. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon to prevent sticking. Cook for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, until the mixture thickens and easily pulls away from the sides of the pan.
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Chill the dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly buttered dish and let it cool completely to room temperature. It should be firm enough to be shaped.
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Shaping the Cajuzinhos: Once the dough has cooled, take a small amount of dough (about a teaspoon) and roll it between your hands to form small cones or oval shapes, resembling a cashew nut.
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Coat and decorate: Roll each Cajuzinho in granulated sugar to lightly coat them. Then, insert a half or whole peanut on top of each Cajuzinho for decoration, pressing lightly so it stays in place.
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Serving: Arrange the Cajuzinho in paper cases for a festive presentation and serve at room temperature.
Brazilian Cajuzinho, peanut dessert, gluten-free dessert, gluten-free candy
