Bala Baiana (Flan-Inspired Candies)
Bala Baiana (Flan-Inspired Candies)
Ingredients
For the Flan Mixture
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 2 cans sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste, or extract
- 2 egg yolks
For the Sugar Coating
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
Instructions
- 1
In a medium saucepan, add the salted butter. Turn the heat to medium and allow the butter to melt completely.
⏱️ 1 min
- 2
Once the butter is melted, add both cans of sweetened condensed milk to the saucepan and stir to combine.
⏱️ 1 min
- 3
Stir in the vanilla bean paste (or extract) and the egg yolks until well incorporated.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
Continue to cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the mixture thickens significantly and begins to pull away from the sides of the pan. It should resemble a thick custard.
⏱️ 7 min
- 5
Transfer the thickened flan mixture into a separate clean bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface of the mixture to prevent a skin from forming. Place the bowl in the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours, or until completely cooled and firm enough to handle.
⏱️ 120 min
- 6
Once the flan mixture is thoroughly chilled, lightly grease your hands. Take approximately 1 tablespoon of the mixture and roll it between your palms to form a smooth, bite-sized ball. Place the formed ball onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Repeat the rolling process with the remaining flan mixture until all of it has been formed into bite-sized balls and placed on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
⏱️ 5 min
- 8
In a clean, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, water, and vinegar. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
⏱️ 3 min
- 9
Continue to boil the sugar mixture without stirring once it reaches a boil, until it turns an amber color. This will take approximately 5-7 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 7 min
- 10
Immediately remove the saucepan from the heat once the sugar reaches an amber color. Work quickly as the sugar will continue to cook and harden.
⏱️ 1 min
- 11
Carefully insert a toothpick into each flan ball. Dip each ball into the hot amber sugar coating, ensuring it is fully coated. Allow any excess sugar to drip off, then place the coated ball back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
⏱️ 5 min
- 12
Let the Bala Baiana cool completely at room temperature until the sugar coating has hardened. Once cooled, remove the toothpicks and serve.
⏱️ 10 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Bala Baiana (Flan-Inspired Candies)
For the Flan Mixture
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 2 cans sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste, or extract
- 2 egg yolks
For the Sugar Coating
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
Instructions
- 1
In a medium saucepan, add the salted butter. Turn the heat to medium and allow the butter to melt completely.
⏱️ 1 min - 2
Once the butter is melted, add both cans of sweetened condensed milk to the saucepan and stir to combine.
⏱️ 1 min - 3
Stir in the vanilla bean paste (or extract) and the egg yolks until well incorporated.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Continue to cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the mixture thickens significantly and begins to pull away from the sides of the pan. It should resemble a thick custard.
⏱️ 7 min - 5
Transfer the thickened flan mixture into a separate clean bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface of the mixture to prevent a skin from forming. Place the bowl in the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours, or until completely cooled and firm enough to handle.
⏱️ 120 min - 6
Once the flan mixture is thoroughly chilled, lightly grease your hands. Take approximately 1 tablespoon of the mixture and roll it between your palms to form a smooth, bite-sized ball. Place the formed ball onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Repeat the rolling process with the remaining flan mixture until all of it has been formed into bite-sized balls and placed on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
⏱️ 5 min - 8
In a clean, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, water, and vinegar. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
⏱️ 3 min - 9
Continue to boil the sugar mixture without stirring once it reaches a boil, until it turns an amber color. This will take approximately 5-7 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 7 min - 10
Immediately remove the saucepan from the heat once the sugar reaches an amber color. Work quickly as the sugar will continue to cook and harden.
⏱️ 1 min - 11
Carefully insert a toothpick into each flan ball. Dip each ball into the hot amber sugar coating, ensuring it is fully coated. Allow any excess sugar to drip off, then place the coated ball back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
⏱️ 5 min - 12
Let the Bala Baiana cool completely at room temperature until the sugar coating has hardened. Once cooled, remove the toothpicks and serve.
⏱️ 10 min