Brigadeiro (Brazilian Chocolate Fudge Balls)
In short: Soft chocolate fudge balls made from condensed milk, cocoa and butter, rolled in chocolate sprinkles. Brazil's favorite party sweet. It takes about 22 min in total and makes 12 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 12 min
- Resting
- 40 min
- Total
- 22 min
- Servings
- 12
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 135 kcal
Brigadeiro is the sweet at every Brazilian birthday party. Condensed milk, cocoa and a little butter are cooked until thick, cooled and rolled into small balls, then coated in chocolate sprinkles. The texture should be soft and fudgy, never stiff. Children love to help with the rolling, and many families make a batch the evening before a party.
Instructions
- Butter a plate and set it aside. Put the condensed milk, cocoa, butter and salt in a nonstick saucepan and stir until smooth before turning on the heat.
- Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a spatula and scraping the bottom and corners, for 8 to 10 minutes.
- The brigadeiro is ready when it is thick and glossy and the trail left by the spatula takes about 3 seconds to close.
- Pour it onto the buttered plate and let it cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Chill for 10 minutes more if it still feels soft.
- Butter your palms lightly. Roll teaspoon-sized portions (about 12 g) into balls, then roll each ball in the sprinkles.
- Set the brigadeiros in paper cups. Keep them in a covered container at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for 5 days.
Tips
- Keep the heat low and never stop stirring. If the mixture catches on the pan, the fudge turns grainy and bitter.
- For beijinho, skip the cocoa, add 3 tbsp (15 g) desiccated coconut with the butter, and roll the balls in granulated sugar.
Questions and answers
Why is my brigadeiro too runny or too hard?
Runny means it needed another minute or two on the heat. Hard means it cooked too long, so stop as soon as the trail closes slowly, and stir in a spoonful of milk to rescue a stiff batch.
Can I make brigadeiro without condensed milk?
Not easily, because condensed milk supplies the sweetness and the structure. Sweetened condensed coconut milk and plant butter can replace both for a dairy-free version.
How long do brigadeiros keep?
They keep for 2 days at room temperature in a cool kitchen or up to 5 days in the fridge. Bring chilled ones to room temperature before serving for a softer bite.
How long does it take to make Brigadeiro (Brazilian Chocolate Fudge Balls)?
About 22 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 12 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Brigadeiro (Brazilian Chocolate Fudge Balls)?
About 135 kcal per serving, with 3 g of protein, 22 g of carbohydrates and 4 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 135 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 22 g |
| Fat | 4 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 20 g |
| Sodium | 70 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
