Bala Baiana
Ingredients
For the Filling:
400 g sweetened condensed milk,
2 cups shredded coconut,
1 tbsp butter.
For the Coating:
1 ½ cups sugar,
½ cup water,
5–6 drops of lemon juice.
Instructions
In a saucepan, combine the sweetened condensed milk, butter, and shredded coconut,
Cook over low-medium heat, stirring continuously, until thickened and you can draw a line through the mixture that doesn’t immediately close (about 10–12 minutes),
Transfer the mixture to a bowl and let it cool slightly,
When cool enough to handle, use a teaspoon to scoop out portions and place them on parchment paper and refrigerate,
Once completely cool, roll the portions into smooth balls and freeze them for 15–20 minutes,
For the caramel, combine sugar, water, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat without stirring until it reaches the desired amber color,
Remove the balls from the freezer. Use a fork to dip each ball into the caramel, ensuring an even coating. Place them on parchment paper to set,
(Optional) Drizzle leftover caramel onto parchment paper, let it harden, and break into decorative pieces. Attach these to the candies if desired.
