Pastillas de Leche (Filipino Milk Candies)

In a 10-inch stainless steel skillet, combine milk and heavy cream, and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally with a rubber spatula to prevent a skin from forming on the sides of the pan. Reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook, stirring and scraping frequently, until mixture is reduced by half, about 30 minutes.

Add sugar and salt, and stir to combine. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until mixture has reduced to a viscous paste-like consistency (it is ready when you drag the spatula against the bottom of the pan and the milk mixture is slow to fill the space left behind), about 1 hour.

Transfer to a heatproof medium bowl (you should have about 3/4 cup (6 ounces; 170g) of milk paste), add powdered milk, and stir until thoroughly combined. Continue stirring until no dry powder remains, and a sticky dough forms, about 30 seconds. Let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours.

Lightly grease your hands with cooking spray, and transfer chilled dough to a clean cutting board. Using your hands, roll dough into a roughly 5-inch long cylinder. Using a paring knife or bench scraper, divide cylinder in half crosswise. Roll each piece into a 5-inch long cylinder. Divide each cylinder into 8 equal portions (1/2 ounce; 15g each). Using your hands, roll each portion between your palms into a 2-inch long cylinder. At this point, pastillas can be transferred to an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 1 week until ready to serve.

When you are ready to serve, place 1/2 cup sugar (4 ounces; 115g) in a wide, shallow bowl. Add up to 4 pastillas at a time to the bowl and shake to coat pieces on all sides with sugar. Transfer sugar-coated pastillas to a serving plate, and repeat coating process with remaining pastillas. Serve.