Today’s recipe is one of those sweet treats I grew up with. They are called papitas de leche, meaning “little milk potatoes” because they resemble mini peeled potatoes. And trust me: these are the most delicious sweet bite-sized milk truffles. Venezuelan milk truffles!
Note: This recipe is part of a collaboration with Nestlé NIDO®. As a member of the Amazon Associates Program and other affiliate programs, I receive compensation for products sold through the affiliate links in this post at no cost to the buyer.
Despite their name, these papitas de leche are made with three ingredients, and not one is potato related. They are made with powdered or dry milk, sweetened condensed milk, and confectioners’ sugar. That’s all! No need to cook or bake. And guess what? They make a beautiful homemade present too!
A family history that is written with NIDO
I said NIDO to refer to the powdered milk I grew up with. Saying NIDO is part of my history is an understatement. It was my grandma and mom’s favorite powdered milk, and now it’s mine.
When I stopped breastfeeding my two boys, and after a short period of baby formula, our pediatrician prescribed Nestlé NIDO® Kinder 1+. Later we switched to Nestlé NIDO® Full Cream Fortified Milk, commonly known as NIDO Fortificada. Up until now!
Later we switched to Nestlé NIDO® Full Cream Fortified Milk, commonly known as NIDO Fortificada. Up until now! Being the mother of two teenagers, NIDO remains a staple in my kitchen as the dry whole milk for my whole family, and it’s also a great source of vitamins A, C, D, Calcium, and Zinc!
A beloved treat and a Venezuelan tradition
Back to my papitas de leche. Originally from the Venezuelan Andean region, these milk truffles are hard to resist. They are part of any important Venezuelan celebration, including baby showers, baptisms, birthdays, first communions, bar mitzvahs, graduations, and weddings.
No sweet or dessert table is missing these petit fours on special occasions. The reason? They are to die for! These so delicious bolitas de leche (little milk balls) are not served as a dessert but more as a petit four.
Of course, you don’t need a special occasion to enjoy them. In Caracas, where I was born and raised, my mom used to buy papitas de leche and give them to my sister and me as a special treat after school. I loved not only the sweetness but the aroma and flavor infused by the clavo de olor (whole clove) inserted on each truffle,
More than a traditional Venezuelan dessert, these milk truffles are little pieces of heaven.
How to make Papitas de Leche
In my extended family, my cousin Adriana is the papitas de leche queen. Sometimes, depending on the occasion, she uses food coloring, and they look so pretty. The recipe that I’m sharing today is hers.
To make these truffles, traditionally combine the dry ingredients, add the sweetened condensed milk, and mix with a wooden spoon until a thick, homogeneous paste is formed.
However, I saved time and energy by mixing the dry ingredients in the bowl of a standing electric mixer. Then, with the kneading blade, I kneaded the dry mixture with the sweetened condensed milk until a firm but malleable dough was formed.
To make the papitas, I divided the dough into 36 pieces, each weighing 20 grams, and formed an equal number of little balls with my hands. Once the balls were made, I dusted my hands with confectioner’s sugar to give the truffles their matte appearance. The final touch is inserting a clove on each.
More milk-based yummy Venezuelan recipes
Are you into milk-based recipes? The Venezuelan repertoire is as extensive as delicious. Following is my list of traditional Venezuelan desserts and other recipes that you won’t want to miss:
- Venezuelan sweet curdled milk (dulce de leche cortada)
- Venezuelan oatmeal with milk and cinnamon
- Venezuelan milk and rice drink (chicha de arroz)
- Venezuelan rice pudding (arroz con leche)
- Venezuelan tres leches cake (pastel de tres leches)
- Venezuelan cuatro leches cups
- Venezuelan ponche crema
Easy-to-make papitas de leche recipe
Without further ado, the following is the recipe card for this super easy recipe.
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Papitas de Leche (Venezuelan Milk Truffles)
Ingredients
- 2 cups NIDO® Full Cream Fortified Milk
- 1 14- oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup confectioner’s sugar plus 1 tablespoon for dusting
- 36 cloves
- Electric Standing Mixer
Instructions
- In the bowl of an electric standing mixer, combine the NIDO® Full Cream Fortified Milk with the confectioner’s sugar.
- Add the sweetened condensed milk and with the kneading blade, knead it until a firm but malleable dough was formed about 5 minutes.
- Divide the dough in 36 pieces of 20 grams each.
- With your hands, form the balls and place them on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper.
- Dust your hands with the reserved confectioner’s sugar and cover each ball.
- Place the balls in the baking sheet and insert a clove on each.
Nutrition
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