Delicious Brazilian Brigadeiros: A Step-by-Step Recipe

Ingredients

2 cans (14 oz each) of sweetened condensed milk
4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
4 tablespoons of cocoa powder
Pinch of salt
Chocolate sprinkles for decoration
Mini paper baking cups

Steps and instructions

In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the sweetened condensed milk, butter, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt.
Place the saucepan over medium heat.
Stir the mixture continuously until it thickens and starts to peel away or show the bottom of the pan when you scrape it with your spatula (about 10-15 minutes).
Remove the mixture from heat and let it cool to room temperature.
Once the mixture is cool, use your hands to shape it into small balls. You can use a teaspoon as a measure if you want them to be exactly the same size.
After rolling the brigadeiros into balls, coat them in chocolate sprinkles and place each one in a mini paper baking cup.
Let the brigadeiros sit for a couple of hours before serving to allow them to set. You can also put them in the refrigerator to speed up this process.

Tools for making

Saucepan - A medium-sized saucepan to cook the brigadeiro mixture.
Spatula - A spatula to stir the mixture while it cooks and to scrape the bottom of the pan.
Teaspoon - A teaspoon to measure and shape the brigadeiros into small balls.
Chocolate sprinkles - Sprinkles to coat the brigadeiros after shaping them.
Mini paper baking cups - Small paper cups to hold the brigadeiros once they are coated in sprinkles.

Recipe variations

White Chocolate Brigadeiros: Replace the cocoa powder with white chocolate chips or white chocolate bars.
Nutty Brigadeiros: Add chopped nuts like walnuts, pistachios, or almonds to the mixture.
Coconut Brigadeiros: Roll the brigadeiros in shredded coconut instead of chocolate sprinkles.
Orange Zest Brigadeiros: Add the zest of one orange to the mixture for a citrusy twist.
Coffee Brigadeiros: Dissolve 2 tablespoons of instant coffee in 1 tablespoon of hot water and add it to the mixture for a coffee-flavored version.
Alcoholic Brigadeiros: Add a splash of your favorite liqueur, such as rum, Baileys, or amaretto, to the mixture for an adult twist.

Recipe overview

Brigadeiros are a traditional Brazilian sweet that's often served at celebrations and parties. They are chocolatey, fudgy, and absolutely addictive – once you start eating them, it's hard to stop! The recipe is surprisingly simple and requires just a few basic ingredients: sweetened condensed milk, unsalted butter, cocoa powder, a pinch of salt, and some chocolate sprinkles for decoration. The cooking process involves slowly cooking these ingredients together until they thicken up, then cooling the mixture before rolling it into little balls and coating them in sprinkles. While it's a straightforward process, it does require some patience, particularly when waiting for the mixture to cool down enough to handle. But trust us, the end result is completely worth it! Enjoy these delicious treats on their own, or as a sweet ending to any meal.

Common questions

Can I use regular milk instead of sweetened condensed milk? No, sweetened condensed milk is a key ingredient in brigadeiros and provides the right texture and sweetness.
Can I use salted butter? It is better to use unsalted butter to have better control over the saltiness of the brigadeiros, but if you only have salted butter, you can use it and adjust the amount of salt added accordingly.
Can I use Dutch-processed cocoa powder? Yes, you can use Dutch-processed cocoa powder in this recipe. It will give the brigadeiros a richer and deeper chocolate flavor.
Can I use a different type of sprinkles for decoration? While chocolate sprinkles are traditional, you can use any type of sprinkles you prefer or even finely chopped nuts or shredded coconut.
How long do brigadeiros need to set? It is recommended to let the brigadeiros sit for a couple of hours at room temperature to allow them to set. You can also refrigerate them for a quicker setting process.
How should brigadeiros be stored? Store brigadeiros in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or refrigerate them for up to 2 weeks. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving.

Serving dishes and utensils

Saucepan - A medium-sized saucepan is needed to cook the brigadeiro mixture.
Spatula - Use a spatula to stir the mixture continuously while it thickens.
Teaspoon - A teaspoon can be used as a measure to shape the brigadeiros into small balls.
Chocolate sprinkles - These are used to coat the brigadeiros for decoration.
Mini paper baking cups - Use mini paper baking cups to place the brigadeiros in for serving.

Origin stories

Brigadeiros hold a sweet spot in the heart of Brazilian culture. These delightful little chocolate balls were created in the 1940s, during the campaign for the presidential election of Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes. Interestingly, due to World War II, there was a shortage of fresh milk and sugar in Brazil. To navigate this problem, condensed milk was used to create a dessert that would please the masses at campaign events. The dessert quickly became a hit and was dubbed "Brigadeiro" in honor of the candidate. Despite the fact that Eduardo Gomes lost the election, his namesake dessert won the hearts of Brazilians nationwide, becoming a staple at birthday parties and celebrations, and remaining a beloved treat to this day.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.