You have likely spotted Palha Italiana in a bakery window, but despite the name, it is a truly Brazilian treat! If you’ve already tried it, you know how addictive it is. If you haven’t, now is your chance. It’s one of those sweets you just can’t stop eating. Let’s get cooking!
Ingredients for Palha Italiana:
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter;
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk;
- 3 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped;
- 10 tea biscuits (like Maria cookies or digestive biscuits), broken into pieces;
- Crushed tea biscuits mixed with granulated sugar for coating.
How to make Palha Italiana:
- In a saucepan, combine the sweetened condensed milk, chocolate, and butter.
- Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches a “brigadeiro” consistency (thick enough to pull away from the bottom of the pan).
- Remove from heat and stir in the broken biscuits.
- Mix everything well.
- Pour the mixture into a greased rectangular dish.
- Spread the mixture evenly with a spatula.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Remove from the fridge and cut into small squares (the size of your choice).
- Roll the squares in the crushed biscuit and sugar mixture.
- All set! Your perfect post-dinner sweet is ready to enjoy.
A bit about the history of Palha Italiana:
This sweet is of Brazilian origin, likely rooted in the southern part of the country. Like the famous brigadeiro, it is made from sweetened condensed milk, butter, and chocolate. However, it is distinguished by the addition of biscuits and its historical influences from Portuguese and Italian immigrants who settled in southern Brazil.
The name “palha” (straw) refers to the Portuguese “chocolate salami,” which traditionally used almonds with the skin (or “straw”) removed. The “Italian” part of the name is attributed to the strong Italian community in southern Brazil, which adapted these traditional recipes. (Source: Wikipedia).
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