Pastillas de Leche
(Candied Milk)

Pastillas de Leche
(Candied Milk)

Here is another sweet concoction for the sugar lovers out there. This dessert is called Pastillas de Leche or Candied Milk. They are soft milk candies that just melt in your mouth. It’s that good. The name has Spanish origin. Pastillas means tablet and leche is milk.

In the Philippines, the best ones are those made in Luzon, particularly in Bulacan and Laguna. Traditionally, it is made of carabao’s milk, and requires some cooking. A carabao is a water buffalo that is found in the Philippines and other countries in Southeast Asia.

In lieu of carabao’s milk, you can substitute it with powdered milk and condensed milk, and it will be just as yummy and tasty. Since there is no carabao’s milk involved, this is going to be no-cook and quick recipe that you can whip up in less than half an hour. This will surely satisfy your craving in an instant. It is usually served as a dessert after a sumptuous meal or as a snack any time of the day. It can also be a perfect pasalubong, a gift that travelers bring home to their loved ones after being away for a long time.

To add some variety, and to make it more crunchy and chewy, you can also add finely chopped jackfruit, pinipig (roasted rice puffs), chopped nuts, rice krispies or crushed cornflakes. There is also Mocca Pastillas where they dissolve instant coffee and add unsweetened cocoa in boiling water, then everything is added to the basic recipe.

So, the next time you have a sugar craving, try this recipe and add your favorite crunchy ingredient.

Preparation Time:   30 mins
Yield:   40-45 candies

Ingredients:
1 can (14 oz) condensed milk
2 cups powdered milk
cold butter
sugar, for coating
colored paper or cellophane, for wrapping

Cooking Directions:
1. Pour the condensed milk in a large mixing bowl.
2. Gradually sift powdered milk in the mixture with a spoon or spatula, and blend thoroughly. Once they are well blended, it will look like dough. Allow it to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Apply some butter in your palms and scoop about a tablespoon of the mixture. Roll the mixture to form tubes or cylinders, or you could shape them into small balls.
4. Roll them onto the sugar, making sure that they are covered entirely.
5. Wrap in colored paper or cellophane, and twist or fold the ends to seal it.
6. Enjoy!

Pastillas de Leche (Candied Milk)