Just five basic ingredients are needed to make the Brazilian delicacy known as Brigadeiros, which is described as being both sweet and dense. Chocolate lovers, you should be happy to know that these truffles are the ultimate delight that can be served at any occasion. When you finally do take that first bite, love will begin to bloom.
In Brazil, brigadeiros are often composed of bite-sized balls of fudge and are enjoyed as a sweet treat. They are frequently hand-rolled and sprinkled in a different fashion. The years immediately following World War II were marked by severe shortages of both fresh milk and sugar; hence, the preparation of this indulgent sweet required the use of condensed milk. The preparation of brigadeiros is quick and simple due to the little number of ingredients required.
Because of their sugary, sticky, and gooey qualities, brigadeiros are the ideal treat to satisfy your craving for something sweet. Because they can be prepared in preparation and moved around with relative ease, they are ideally suited for get-togethers, potlucks, and delicious presents.
INGREDIENTS REQUIRED FOR THE RECIPE
- Butter—make sure to use unsalted butter so that you can control the amount of salt that goes into the brigadeiros.
- In a brigadeiros recipe, there is no other ingredient that can replace the need for sweetened condensed milk. Because of this, you find them to be quite endearing. You want to get your hands on sweetened condensed milk rather than evaporated milk.
- Cocoa powder – for a genuine chocolate flavor, use cocoa powder that has not been sweetened. Before adding the dry powder to the saucepan, make sure to sift it to remove any lumps that may have formed.
- My go-to toppings are jimmies, whether they be rainbow or chocolate. Feel free to use whatever toppings you’d like on your brigadeiros as you’re decorating them.
MEASUREMENTS FOR INGREDIENTS
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14-ounce)
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
- Pinch of salt
- sprinkles
NUTRITIONAL VALUE
Calories: 77kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 27mg | Potassium: 68mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 70IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1mg
OTHER DETAILS
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 25 balls
Calories 77kcal
Equipment
- Heavy skillet or pot
- Tray
- Mini paper cupcake liners
DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING THIS RECIPE
- Place the butter in a big, heavy-bottomed saucepan or skillet and cook it over low heat until it has melted. Add some sweetened condensed milk.
2. After that, dust the top with some cocoa powder and some salt. Whisking the mixture together will combine all of the components. Raise the temperature to one just above medium. Continue to heat the mixture while using a silicone spatula to scrape the bottom of the pot. Do this until the mixture is very thick and shiny and the track left by the spatula is clean.
3. Once the mixture is finished being prepared, move it to a baking sheet that has been previously prepared. Put something aside to harden at room temperature until it can no longer be bent. Pinch out very small pieces of the dough and roll them between palms that have been lightly buttered into balls with a diameter of approximately an inch.
4. The brigadeiros should then be placed in little paper cupcake liners, and then they should be rolled in sprinkles.
PROFESSIONAL GUIDE TO MAKING THIS RECIPE
- Because the brigadeiros mixture needs to be stirred regularly, the burner shouldn’t be left unattended while it’s cooking. In the event that you forget to stir the ingredients at regular intervals, they will burn.
- For the fudge to be able to be rolled into balls, the consistency needs to be rather firm. You’ll need to have patience and mix it frequently until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Buttering your hands lightly before rolling the brigadeiro mixture will prevent it from adhering to your hands and will allow you to work more efficiently. I never throw away the butter wrappers since using them to lubricate one’s hands without wasting any of the product is really convenient.
- Utilize a cookie scoop when measuring out the quantities of dough to ensure that the resulting balls will be properly spherical.
- If you are short on time, you can speed up the process of bringing the tray down to room temperature by placing it in the refrigerator.
FAQs
SHOULD I USE SPRINKLES OR NOT?
These homemade brigadeiros can be rolled in a variety of coatings, including but not limited to, chopped almonds, shredded coconut, grated chocolate, cocoa powder, and more!
IS REFRIGERATION REQUIRED FOR THIS DISH?
Keep brigadeiros in the fridge for up to a week, or store them at room temperature for up to three days in a cold, dry spot.
WHAT IF I HAVE EXTRAS?
The answer is yes. They hold up well in the freezer for up to three months. If you have any leftover brigadeiros, you can flash freeze them on a sheet pan coated with parchment paper and sprinkles. Put them in a freezer until they are solid, and then a plastic bag. When ready to eat, let it thaw in the refrigerator.
WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF ITS NAME?
They were named after Eduardo Gomes, a Brazilian brigadier general who ran for president in the 1940s. Despite the candidate’s defeat, the dessert became a hit and is now served at most events.
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