Inside: How to make Brazilian chocolate balls (Brazilian Chocolate truffles) typically called Brigadeiro.
I don’t know when I first tried a Brazilian Brigadeiro it was probably when one of our Brazilian friends visited or when I was 3 and went to Brazil with my parents.
Let’s just say these yummy chocolate treats have always been a part of my life, even though I have always lived in the United States.
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When I was in collage our friend from Brazil came and stayed with my parents for a couple of weeks over Christmas break when I was home.
We spent many hours of her trip learning to make our favorite Brazilian recipes including Brigadeiro, Brazilian fudge balls, one of the best Brazilian desserts in my opinion.
Brazilian Chocolate Balls
Brigadeiros, a traditional Brazilian dessert, can be eaten as an everyday snack, at birthday parties or for special occasions.
This treat is so simple to make and takes only a handful of ingredients – sweetened condensed milk, coco powder, butter and chocolate sprinkles.
If you haven’t tried these Brazilian truffles before I highly recommend giving them a try, they are a family favorite at our house, and my kids love helping make them. (Even my 3-year-old can help!)
Related Post: Christmas In Brazil Unit Study
Easy Brigadeiro Recipe
This simple delicious treat only requires a few simple ingredients and some cooking supplies (it doesn’t even need an oven).
Ingredients
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon butter + a little bit (I used salted, but unsalted butter works)
- 3 tablespoons chocolate powder (for a traditional Brazilian taste use chocolate milk powder like Nesquik (Nescau in Brazil) I used baking cocoa powder)
- Chocolate Sprinkles (I have also used fun sprinkles, but Chocolate is traditional)
Other Supplies
- Medium Saucepan
- Wooden spoon (or table spoon)
- Plate
- Mini paper cups (candy cups or mini cupcake liners work great)
Making Brazilian Brigadeiros (Brazilian Truffles)
Like I said before this recipe is really easy and once you make it once it will be even easier.
As my friend Julia taught me the first step is buttering a plate. Get a little bit of butter and rub it all over the top of a plate and then set aside the greased plate. This plate is for cooling the chocolate filling to room temperature.
In a saucepan over medium heat mix together the sweet condensed milk, butter and chocolate powder.
I used unsweetened cocoa powder (dark chocolate) but traditionally it’s made with Nesquik type powder so adds more sweetness and isn’t as rich of a chocolate flavor.
Continuously stir the mixture so it doesn’t burn until the mixture thickens make sure you don’t miss the sides of the pan. As it thickens it will start to pull away from the bottom of the pan.
You’ll know it’s ready when you can pull your spoon in a line through the middle and see the bottom of the pot for just a second before the chocolate mixture covers it again. (It takes about 15-20 minutes)
Once the mixture has thickened remove the pan from heat and pour the chocolate mixture onto the buttered plate and let cool to room temperature.
I left mine sitting for a couple of hours while I was gone and when I came back it was cold and ready to go.
Before I start rolling the little balls, I like to pour some of the chocolate sprinkles on to a plate or a small bowl. (You can use colorful sprinkles instead of chocolate if you want)
Butter the palms of your hands and roll small balls of the chocolate (bite-sized balls are best) and putting them in the sprinkles.
Roll the chocolate fudge balls in the sprinkles until they are covered.
Place the delicious Brazilian sweet into a mini paper cup. Store in an airtight container (for a more solid texture put them in the fridge).
The first time you make homemade Brigadeiro truffles you’ll probably get hooked. So don’t be surprised if these become a favorite recipe and a sweet treat you make often.
Traditional Brigadeiro Recipe
Enjoy this chocolate brigadeiros recipe the next time you've got a sweet tooth.
Ingredients
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon butter (I used salted, but unsalted butter works)
- 3 tablespoons chocolate powder (for a traditional Brazilian taste use chocolate milk powder like Nesquik (Nescau in Brazil) I used baking cocoa powder)
- Chocolate Sprinkles (I have also used fun sprinkles, but Chocolate is traditional)
Instructions
1.Get a little bit of butter and rub it all over the top of a plate and then set aside the greased plate. This plate is for cooling the chocolate filling to room temperature.
2.In a saucepan over medium heat mix together the sweet condensed milk, butter and chocolate powder.
3.Continuously stir the mixture so it doesn't burn until the mixture thickens make sure you don't miss the sides of the pan. As it thickens it will start to pull away from the bottom of the pan. You'll know it's ready when you can pull your spoon in a line through the middle and see the bottom of the pot for just a second before the chocolate mixture covers it again. (It takes about 15-20 minutes)
4.Once the mixture has thickened remove the pan from heat and pour the chocolate mixture onto the buttered plate and let cool to room temperature.
5. Pour some of the chocolate (or colored) sprinkles on to a plate or a small bowl.
6.Butter the palms of your hands and roll small balls of the chocolate (bite-sized balls are best) and putting them in the sprinkles. Roll the chocolate fudge balls in the sprinkles until they are covered.
7. Place the delicious Brazilian sweet into a mini paper cup. Store in an airtight container (for a more solid texture put them in the fridge).
Notes
Other Supplies
Saucepan
Wooden spoon (or table spoon)
Plate
mini paper cups (candy cups or mini cupcake liners work great)
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 17Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 6mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 0g
Depending on the brand used this information will change.