This naturally dairy-free pumpkin candy recipe was summited by a reader, who originally found the recipe on Food.com. Brazilian Docinhos, often called Brigadeiro, are similar to a fudge candy. They are usually made with sweetened condensed milk. But this pumpkin recipe skips the dairy altogether, for a sweet that focuses more heavily on coconut and pumpkin. It’s definitely not traditional – Brazilians love their sweetened condensed milk! But this recipe does make a tasty treat in its own right.
You can serve these sweets for fall birthdays, around the holidays, or even gift them. They look nice in little candy or mini muffin liners placed in a gift box.
Special Diet Notes: Pumpkin Candy
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, and vegetarian.
- 2 cups grated coconut
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 cup sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- Powdered sugar, to coat
- Put the coconut, pumpkin puree, sugar, cinnamon, and cloves in a large, heavy bottomed pan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thick, or until it reaches the medium-ball stage (238 to 245ºF).
- Turn the mixture out onto a greased sheet or parchment paper to cool.
- Once cool, shape the mixture (with greased hands) into small balls and roll it in the powdered sugar.
- Optionally set each candy in a bon bon or mini muffin paper.