Quindim, A Popular Coconut Treat In Brazil

A variety of small individual, petit four-like treats are often served at South American parties. Quindim, a popular coconut treat in Brazil made with lots of egg yolks, coconut, sugar, and butter, is often served this way, although it can also be made into one large ring custard. Quindin is baked in a water bath, and the coconut rises to the top while it's baking. The cakes are then flipped out of the molds to reveal their sparkly golden cap of custard. The coconut becomes the sweet chewy crust.

It is called quindim (pronounced keen-jean), and it is an extremely simple recipe, with only three ingredients. Though simple to make, it is extremely rich and very sweet, and one small quindim will satisfy all but the most rabid sweet-eater.

Ingredients

1 cup white sugar

1 cup shredded coconut

1 tablespoon butter, softened

5 egg yolks

1 egg white

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Pass the egg yolks through a fine sieve into a large mixing bowl. Add the sugar, and mix carefully by hand. Put the mixture into a heavy medium saucepan, and heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture flows from a spoon in a thin string. Remove from heat.

Let the mixture cool a few minutes, then add the coconut and melted butter. Stir slowly and carefully to mix.

Divide the mixture among 8 ramekins or custard cups which have been greased with soft butter and dusted with granulated sugar. Place in a bain-marie or water bath, and place in pre-heated oven. Cook for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick stuck in a quindim comes out clean.

Let cool, unmold if desired, and serve at room temperature or chilled.