Brigadeiro Recipe | A Spicy Perspective (2024)

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Brigadeiro Recipe– BrazilianTrufflesare easy to make with cocoa powder, sweetened condensed milk, and butter. They’re a decadent no-bake dessert bursting with chocolate andcaramelflavor,and coated in colorful sprinkles!

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Brazilian Desserts

If you are looking for a rich, chocolatey, incrediblyindulgent and delicious treat, buddy, you came to the right place. Bonus: these truffle delightsdon’t evenneed to be baked.

Brazilian Brigadeirois a fun and easy no-bake dessert to make any time you’ve got a sweet tooth craving. The base of the recipe includes just sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder, and butter, all cooked into a thick, rich fudge. Because the sweetened condensed milk caramelizes as it cooks down, the fudge has a delightfulchocolate-caramelflavor.

The fudge is cooled and formed into neat little balls. Lastly, the Brazilian truffles are rolled in your choice ofcolorful sprinkles. This final touch makes them as lovely to look at as they are delicious to eat!

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The Best Brigadeiro Recipe (Negrinho Truffles)

While the roots of this dessert are actually PortugueseNegrinhoTruffles,Brigadeiroshave become one of the most popular treats in Brazil. Some even consider them the unofficial national dessert! They are often served at celebrations and gatherings, withsprinkle colorscoordinating to match special events or sports teams.

Brazilian Brigadeiros are fabulous as-is, but just as the colorful sprinkles can be customized, this chocolate biterecipe can be adjusted to includeall sorts of flavors. Here we added coffee and cayenne pepper to give them a little extra something. However, feel free to get creative and make the truffles with your favorite goodies!

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Ingredients For Your Grocery List

This classic recipe for homemade Brigadeiro requires only5 ingredients:

  • Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • Unsalted Butteror salted if you prefer
  • Saltnot necessary if using salted butter
  • Jimmies sprinklesyour choice of color (I used chocolate sprinkles and rainbow sprinkles.)
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How to Make Brazilian Truffles

From start to finish these Brigadeiros takeless than an hourto make, with no baking needed.

The recipe yields 45 balls, so it’s perfect for preparing as a treat for parties/birthday parties – or, enjoy some now andfreeze the restfor whenever you have are needing a little something that’s chocolatey sweet.

Instructions

First, set a large pot over medium heat on the stovetop. Add the sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder, butter, salt, and any flavor add-ins. Mix well.

Stir constantly, with a spatula or wooden spoon, as you cook the fudge so the condensed milk doesn’t burn, about12-18 minutes. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pot and the sides of the pan as well. The fudge will thicken from a thin brownie-like batter consistency to a thick and fudgy dough-like texture. Once it’svery thickremove it from the heat and turn off the stove.

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Set the pot on a trivet or other heat-safe surface, and allow the fudge tocool and thickenuntil room temperature.

Meanwhile, set out 45 mini cupcake liners/candy cups on a rimmed baking sheet. Pour the sprinkles into a shallow dish.

Next, lightlybutter your handsso the fudge doesn’t stick. Use spoons or scoops to portion out 2 teaspoons of the fudge into your hands, andtightly rollit into a small ball. Then dunk the fudge ball in the sprinkles and shake the pan to coat the ball on all sides.

Place the coated fudge ball in a paper liner.Repeat, repeat, repeat!

Once all of the Brigadeiro chocolate fudge balls are formed and coated in sprinkles, place the baking sheetin the fridgeto help the balls set.

Serve cold or at room temperature.

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Get the CompletePrintableBrigadeiro Recipe (Brazilian Chocolate Truffles) Below!

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How to Store Homemade Brazilian Fudge Balls

Move the truffles to an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to2 weeks. Avoid stacking the balls so they stay pretty.

Brigadeiros are fantastic for freezing! We recommend that you firstflash-freezethem by setting them on a baking sheet (either lined with parchment or with the truffles in individual paper wrappers) and placing them in the freezer for one hour until hard. Then carefully place the balls in an airtight plastic bag, and keep them in the freezer for up to3 months.

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Variations of This Recipe

Feel free to add other ingredients to create your favorite flavors. Some ideas forpossible add-insare 1/2 a teaspoon of vanilla, coffee, rum, coconut, or peppermint extract. For akick of spice, add 1/2 a teaspoon of cayenne pepper or ground cinnamon.

Choose any colored sprinkles you like for coordinating with your party theme or favorite sports teams.

You can even roll the chocolate truffles inother toppingslike edible glitter, crushed Oreos, coconut flakes, powdered sugar, or a dusting of cocoa powder.

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Looking for More Decadent No-Bake Sweets?

  • No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls Recipe (Best Ever Buckeye Candy)
  • Magic Chocolate Eclair Cake
  • No-Bake Oatmeal Energy Balls
  • Crispy No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
  • Fluffy No-Bake Banoffee Pie
  • No-Bake Strawberry Cream Pie

Check the printable recipe card below for the nutrition information including calories, carbohydrates, fat, and sugar percentages.

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Brigadeiro Recipe (Brazilian Truffles)

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Brazilian Truffles are an easy no-bake dessert made with chocolate and sweetened condensed milk, and coated in colorful sprinkles!

Servings: 45 truffles

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Set a large wide pot over medium heat. Add the sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder, butter and salt. Mix well.

  • Cook the fudge, stirring consistently, so the condensed milk doesn’t burn, for 12-18 minutes. The fudge will thicken from a thin brownie-like batter to a thick fudgy dough texture. Once it’s very thick, remove from heat.

  • Allow the fudge to cool and thicken to room temperature.

  • Set out 45 mini cupcake liners on a rimmed baking sheet. Pour the sprinkles into a shallow dish.

  • Butter your hands so the fudge doesn’t stick. Portion out 2 teaspoon balls of fudge and roll tightly in your hands. Then dunk the fudge ball in the sprinkles and shake the pan to coat the ball on all sides.

  • Place the coated fudge ball in a paper liner. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Once all the fudge balls are formed and coated in sprinkles, place the baking sheet in the refrigerator to help the balls set.

Video

Notes

Brigadeiros can be served cold or at room temperature. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Brigadeiros are fantastic for freezing! We recommend that you first flash freeze them by setting on a baking sheet (either lined with parchment or with the truffles in individual paper wrappers) and placing them in the freezer for one hour until hard. Then carefully place the balls in an airtight plastic bag, and keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ball, Calories: 81kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 9mg, Sodium: 83mg, Potassium: 80mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 12g, Vitamin A: 79IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 52mg, Iron: 1mg

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: Brazilian

Author: Sommer Collier

Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

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Brigadeiro Recipe | A Spicy Perspective (2024)

FAQs

How would you describe brigadeiro? ›

Brigadeiros are a chocolate dessert, similar to truffles. Made from condensed milk, cocoa powder, butter, and coated in chocolate sprinkles, they are typically small spheres that are served in mini cupcake-like foil liners. Like truffles, brigadeiros are a dense and sticky chocolate treat.

Why is my brigadeiros sticky? ›

Don't worry - the Brigadeiros will still taste amazing even if the texture isn't perfect on the first try! Why are my Brigadeiros sticky? Brigadeiros are intentionally sticky due to their main ingredient - sweetened condensed milk. Condensed milk is regular milk cooked down until very sweet and thick.

Why do Brazilians eat brigadeiros? ›

A Brazilian Confection. Stoica explains their popularity saying that Brazilians love brigadeiros because they're sweet, beautiful, and easy to eat wherever you are. She goes on to explain, “They're also an essential addition to any celebration or party.

Why do Brazilians love condensed milk? ›

It is easy to understand why condensed milk features so heavily in Brazilian desserts. On its own, it is sweet and silky. Paired with other ingredients, it lends a smooth, fudgy texture to a bite sized treat. It is also inexpensive and does not need to be refrigerated.

What is a fun fact about brigadeiros? ›

In 1946, it's alleged that women made and sold brigadeiros at rallies for the Brazilian politician and Air Force Brigadier, Eduardo Gomes, who was running for President. Unfortunately he didn't win the Presidency, but his famous and favorite chocolate balls became an integral part of Brazil's sweet history!

What is a fact about brigadeiro? ›

The brigadeiro (Portuguese pronunciation: [bɾiɡaˈdejɾu]) is a traditional Brazilian dessert. The origin of the dessert is uncertain, but the most common theory is that it was created by a confectioner from Rio de Janeiro, Heloisa Nabuco de Oliveira, to promote the presidential candidacy of Eduardo Gomes.

Why is my brigadeiro chewy? ›

If you undercook, the brigadeiro will be too soft and may not hold its shape; if you overcook it, it will be chewy, more like a caramel candy. You know it is done when you swirl the pan around and the whole mixture slides as one soft piece, leaving a thick burnt residue on the bottom of the pan.

Can brigadeiro be left out? ›

How to Store Brigadeiro. You can store brigadeiros at room temperature for a few days, but refrigerate them to extend their life to 7-10 days, especially if you are in a hot and humid climate. Place them in a glass container and make sure they are not squished.

Why is brigadeiro so popular? ›

Wartime rationing and women's suffrage helped popularize the brigadeiro. The brigadeiro, one of Brazil's most distinctive desserts, is a dense, sticky confection. It's crafted from condensed milk, cocoa powder, and butter, and often rolled in chocolate sprinkles.

Why is it called brigadeiro? ›

The word “brigadeiro” comes from Portuguese and refers to the military rank of brigadier. Popular history has it that brigadeiros come from Brazil and were invented by the wife of Air Force brigadier Eduardo Gomes, who was a candidate in their 1946 presidential elections.

Why do Brazilians kiss so much? ›

Not only do Brazilians kiss as a way of saying, “hello,” they do it in a very specific way. The number of kisses and where they are placed can change depending on where you are in the country.

What is the national dessert of Brazil? ›

The national dessert of Brazil is brigadeiro, a small chocolate truffle-like sweet that is very popular throughout the country. Brigadeiro is made from sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder, butter, and chocolate sprinkles. It is usually rolled into small balls and then covered in the sprinkles.

Do Brazilians eat chocolate? ›

According to the Brazilian Chocolate Industry Association, more than 75 percent of the Brazilian population consumes chocolate and 35 percent of the Brazilian population prefers chocolate to other foods.

What is the best description for dessert? ›

Desserts can be defined as a usually sweeter course that concludes a meal. This definition includes a range of courses ranging from fruits or dried nuts to multi-ingredient cakes and pies. Many cultures have different variations of dessert.

What is a good description of dessert? ›

A dessert is a type of food that is eaten after lunch or dinner, and sometimes after a light meal or snack. It is usually a sweet food, like ice cream, cookies, and cakes. In some countries, cheeses such as Brie cheese and fruit are served as dessert.

What is the texture of brigadeiro? ›

Brigadeiros, a Brazilian specialty, are made from condensed milk, cocoa powder, and butter, resulting in a dense, chewy texture, and are typically coated in chocolate sprinkles.

What is the best way to describe dessert? ›

A dessert is something sweet, such as fruit, pastry, or ice cream, that you eat at the end of a meal.

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