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Dulces abrillantados
Dulces abrillantados: glazed milk-fudge figures from the sweet shops of Mérida
Walk through the old centre of Mérida and you'll pass windows full of tiny shiny sweets shaped like fruit, flowers and animals: dulces abrillantados, made from milk and sugar cooked down to a fudge, hand-moulded and dipped in syrup that dries to a glassy crust. Families buy boxes to take home from the Andes. They need patience: the shaping is fun, but the milk must be cooked until it truly pulls away from the pan. The common mistake is stopping too early, so the figures flatten. Chef's tip: dust your hands with icing sugar while shaping, and dry the figures overnight before glazing.
- Total time
- 110 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 10
Ingredients
For the milk fudge
- 8 ¼ cups whole milk
- 14 oz sugar
- ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1 oz icing sugarfor shaping
- 3 drops food colouring (optional)a few colours
For the glaze
- 10 ½ oz sugar
- ¾ cup water
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Put 8 ¼ cups whole milk, 14 oz sugar and ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda in a wide, heavy pan and bring to the boil over a medium heat, stirring.
10 minStep 2: Simmer, stirring often and scraping the base, for about 60 minutes, stirring constantly towards the end, until it is a thick, pale caramel paste that comes away from the sides and holds a ridge when you drag a spoon through it.
60 minStep 3: Spread on a buttered plate and cool until you can handle it. Knead briefly with 1 oz icing sugar until smooth and pliable; work 3 drops food colouring into small portions if you like.
15 minStep 4: Shape walnut-sized pieces into small fruits, flowers or animals. Leave them on a rack, uncovered, overnight to dry.
25 minStep 5: Next day, boil 10 ½ oz sugar and ¾ cup water for 5 minutes, until syrupy. Dip each figure quickly, lift out with a fork and dry on a rack for 6–12 hours, until the glaze has crystallised and shines.
10 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 270 kcal
- Protein
- 6 g
- Carbs
- 52 g
- Fat
- 5 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does dulces abrillantados take?
- About 110 minutes in total: 40 minutes to prepare and 70 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 10 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of whole milk?
- Semi-skimmed milk with 1 tbsp cream per 240ml (1 cup).
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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