Paçoca (Brazilian Peanut Candy)

This no-cook candy tastes somewhat like the inside of a Reese's peanut butter cup. It can be eaten on its own, or crumbled as a topping for ice cream or cake. (There is also a brazilian beef dish which people in the north of the country call "paçoca". It's more broadly known as paçoca de pilão to distinguish it from this candy.) Manioc is also known as cassava.

• Ready In: 15 mins
• Serves: 16
• Yields: 32 squares

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups peanuts, lightly salted
• 1 1⁄4 cups light brown sugar
• 3⁄4 cup manioc flour
• 1  pinch salt
• 1⁄4 cup  condensed milk (as needed)

Directions

1. In a food processor, finely grind the peanuts with the dry ingredients.
2. Add a tablespoon of condensed milk and process for 30 seconds. Check if mixture is starting to come together by pressing some into a ball with your fingers. If the mixture will form a ball that stays together well, it's ready. If it is still too crumbly, add more condensed milk and process.
3. Firmly press mixture into a square 8 inch by 8 inch pan lined with wax paper. You can also use greased cookie cutters (simple shapes) to cut pieces out of the candy, or press the candy into molds to shape it.
4. Remove candy from pan by lifting out the wax paper, and cut into smaller squares.
5. Store in an airtight container.