What is Cajuzinho?

Cajuzinho is a sweet peanut candy found throughout Brazil. This candy can be found through commercial manufacturers and can be presented or purchased from small shops or relatively easy to make at home. It usually consists of a mixture of dough, which resembles chocolate fondan and tastes strongly from peanuts. Cajuzinho can be made using a number of different ingredients, although common recipes require peanuts, sweetened condensed milk, sugar and cocoa powder or chocolate drink. In addition to peanuts, it can be made with cashews and the finished product often resembles a large cashew, but otherwise the name does not have little to do with taste and candy. Peanuts used in the manufacture of Cajuzinho may vary between recipes and various confectionery creators may prefer the use of ordinary, unsalted peanuts that have been removed. Other recipes often require roasted peanuts to be used, and the taste of the candies will depend on the types of peanuts used. This can be done with a knife or a kitchen robot.The peanuts are then placed in a pot of sauce along with sweetened condensed milk, which is basically milk and sugar that has been carefully cooked to reduce the liquid and become thick and sweet.

Margarine or butter can be added to this mixture, even if it depends on the recipe. Sugar is sometimes added. The cocoa powder or chocolate drink is then added and the whole mixture is heated on medium or low fire. The mixture is mixed when heated until it reaches the correct thickness for cajuzinho, which is strong enough, so that the pan is easy to see while stirring.

As soon as the mixture of Cajuzinho reaches the right thickness, pours it into the greased bowl and allow to cool to room temperature. When it reaches room temperature, it can be taken in small pieces and shaped into cones, which then usually roll into granulated sugar. It is also traditional to press the only peanut into the bottom of each cone.