Brigadeiro

• Prep time: 10 minutes

• Cook time: 15 minutes

• Total time: 1 hour 25 minutes (includes chilling)

• Servings: 20 truffle balls

• Country of Origin: Brazil

Description

Brigadeiro is Brazil’s most iconic sweet treat, created in the 1940s and named after Brigadier Eduardo Gomes. These rich, fudgy chocolate truffles are made by simmering sweetened condensed milk with butter and cocoa powder, then rolling the cooled mixture into balls coated with chocolate sprinkles.

Presentation

Serve individually in mini paper candy cups on a dessert tray or festive plate. For a professional finish, ensure the chocolate sprinkles evenly cover each sphere.

Ingredients

• 1 can (14 oz / 397 g) sweetened condensed milk

• 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (sifted)

• 1 tbsp unsalted butter

• 1/2 cup chocolate sprinkles (for coating)

• Extra butter for greasing hands

Directions

• Combine the sweetened condensed milk, sifted cocoa powder, and unsalted butter in a medium non-stick saucepan.

• Set the saucepan over medium-low heat and stir continuously with a silicone spatula to prevent burning.

• Cook for 10 to 15 minutes until the mixture thickens significantly and pulls away cleanly from the bottom and sides of the pan when tilted.

• Pour the hot mixture onto a shallow greased plate or dish, spread it out slightly, and let it cool completely at room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

• Lightly butter your hands, scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the chilled chocolate mixture, and roll them into smooth spheres.

• Roll each sphere in the chocolate sprinkles until fully covered, then place into mini candy cups.

Optional Variations

• Beijinho: Substitute the cocoa powder with 1/2 cup of unsweetened desiccated coconut, and roll the finished balls in granulated sugar or coconut flakes, topping each with a dried clove.

• Bicho de Pé: Substitute the cocoa powder with 2 tablespoons of strawberry gelatin powder or strawberry syrup for a bright pink fruit variation.

Cooking Tips

• Keep the flame on medium-low throughout cooking; high heat will cause the condensed milk to scorch quickly.

• The mixture is ready when you run a spatula down the middle and it creates a line that holds open for a few seconds (known as the ponto de brigadeiro).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 75 kcal

• Carbohydrate: 12 g

• Protein: 1.5 g

• Fat: 2.5 g

• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g

• Sodium: 25 mg