Here for all my Brazilian recipes? Make sure to also check out my dulce de leche casadinhos, brigadeiros, paçoca and bolinhos de chuva. You know those simple, bland looking cookies that you don’t think much of, but when you start eating them you can’t stop? Sequilhos are like that! They are the epitome of simplicity and every Brazilian grandma had some on hand (or could whip some up in no time), to serve to unexpected guests with their “cafezinho da tarde” (our version of an afternoon tea, but with coffee). They are sweet, buttery and naturally gluten-free, since they are made with cornstarch. If the classic version is a bit bland for you, scroll down to the variations section of this post to check out some flavoring suggestions. ♥️
What are Sequilhos?
Sequilhos are popular Brazilian cookies made with cornstarch and – often – sweetened condensed milk. They can also be called Biscoitos de Maizena, since Maizena is a popular cornstarch brand in Brazil. They are quite crumbly but have a soft, delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture inside, making them the perfect little cookies to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea.
Ingredients
To make my sequilhos recipe, you will need:
Sweetened Condensed Milk – Adds sweetness and contributes to the soft texture on the inside of the sequilhos.Cornstarch – These cookies are naturally gluten-free, since they are made with cornstarch. The cornstarch is responsible for the crispy on the outside + melt-in-your-mouth on the inside texture of these cookies.Butter – Make sure your butter is at room temp before you make this recipe!Salt – This is where I deviate from the original recipe. I like adding a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors!
How to Make Sequilhos
Sequilhos are VERY easy to make and they bake super quick too! I do recommend chilling them before baking, which adds about 30 minutes to the recipe, but you can skip that if you’re in a rush. Recommended tools and equipment: large bowl, spatula, baking sheet, parchment paper, fork. Here’s how I make this Brazilian Cornstarch Cookies recipe. As always, you will find the printable (and more complete) version of the recipe at the end of this post!
Step 1: Make the Dough.
Combine the room temperature butter and the sweetened condensed milk. Mix with a spatula, trying to incorporate the butter as much as you can to the condensed milk. It’s okay if there are a few lumps.Slowly add the cornstarch, a little bit at a time, mixing well. Once it’s too hard to mix, you can use your hands. Add as much as you need to form a dough. The dough should be very soft and smooth so your sequilhos are not too dry. You might not need all the cornstarch.
Step 2: Shape the Sequilhos.
Roll about 1 teaspoon of the cookie dough into a ball then press with your thumb, just like you would thumbprint cookies. Repeat with all the dough.Place the sequilhos on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Using a fork, slightly flatten the cookies, pressing to make the characteristic indentation.Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Step 3: Bake!
Bake at 350ºF for 15 minutes, until they begin to gain some color on the bottom.Remove the sequilhos from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 15-20 minutes. Then, carefully transfer to a wire rack so they can finish cooling.
Variations
This recipe, as written, is the recipe almost every grandma uses in Brazil. That being said, it is really customizable and I love changing it up a bit with different ingredients to add more flavor. Here are some suggestions:
1/2 teaspoon lime, lemon or orange zest1/4 teaspoon cinnamon2 tablespoons shredded coconut1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract (you might need to add more cornstarch to reach the dough consistency)
More Cookie Recipes
Dulce de Leche Linzer CookiesAmaretti CookiesShortbread Cookies
P.S. You might notice blue “Thanks” or “Thank the Creator” buttons on my posts and sidebar. I’m excited to be one of Google’s paid early testers for their Thank with Google pilot program. This is a new experimental feature from Google that allows my readers to purchase a virtual sticker to show their support and appreciation for content on my website. There are several stickers to choose from (with different price points) and every time someone decides to send a paid sticker, he/she/they can add a personal message, which is my favorite part. I love hearing that my work has helped or inspired you somehow!If you decide to test it out, even if just to send a free sticker, let me know what you think.As always, thank you for your support! Happy Holidays!
