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The dessert, From around the world

Brigadeiros

Brigadeiros are small Brazilian chocolate truffles made with sweetened condensed milk, rolled in chocolate sprinkles, serving 6 people with 30 minutes of active work. They're made entirely the day before, are very easy to get right, and cost €0.80 per person. The key is pulling the mixture off the heat at the right moment, not too runny, not too firm.

I'm making brigadeiros, those little Brazilian chocolate truffles everyone keeps grabbing without even noticing.

Brigadeiros
For
6 people
Work
30 min
Total time
1 h 30
Prep
Prepared the day before
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€0.80
Calories per person
330 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Brigadeiros are the sweet everyone grabs at Brazilian parties, a fudgy bite of chocolate and condensed milk rolled in crunchy sprinkles. The texture sits somewhere between soft caramel and truffle, firm enough to hold its shape, soft enough to melt in your mouth without effort. It's a finger dessert, no plate or fork needed, perfect between two conversations.

It's the perfect sweet bite to end a dinner with friends or serve at a kids' birthday party, piled up in a small dish next to the coffee. You always end up wishing you'd made more, so double the batch if the evening is going to run long. It works in any season, just as well at Christmas as in the middle of summer.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before 4 steps, 1 h 10
  2. The same day Nothing to do
  3. Before the guests arrive Nothing to do
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

Make the entire mixture the day before, from cooking to rolling in sprinkles, and keep the brigadeiros chilled in a sealed container. On the day itself, there's nothing left to do. Just before your guests arrive, arrange the truffles in their paper cups, and at serving time, pull them out twenty minutes ahead so they're softer.

The ingredients

6 people

Pantry

  • Sweetened condensed milk 400 g
  • Unsweetened cocoa powderoften in the pantry 30 g
  • Chocolate sprinkles 120 g

Dairy

  • Butter 25 g

Allergens Lactose

The recipe, moment by moment

The day beforeWhat's better after resting overnight in the fridge.

  1. Put the condensed milk, cocoa powder, and butter in a heavy bottomed saucepan.

    Choose a heavy bottomed pan, the mixture sticks fast.

  2. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and pulls away from the bottom of the pan. 10 min

    Stay close to the pan, the bottom can scorch very quickly.

  3. Pour the mixture onto a buttered plate and let it cool completely in the refrigerator. 1 h

    A piece of plastic wrap pressed directly on top keeps it from forming a skin.

  4. Butter your hands, shape walnut sized balls, and roll them in the chocolate sprinkles.

    If the mixture sticks too much, chill it for ten more minutes.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Arrange the brigadeiros in small paper cups and serve them with coffee.

    Take them out of the fridge twenty minutes ahead, they're softer that way.

Our tips to get it right

  • Use a heavy bottomed, light colored stainless steel pot, you'll see the color of the mixture change more clearly as it cooks.
  • Butter your hands generously before rolling the balls, the mixture is sticky and moves faster with a bit of fat on your skin.
  • For neat, even brigadeiros, weigh each portion of mixture before rolling, about fifteen grams each.

The variations

  • Swap the chocolate sprinkles for crushed hazelnuts or shredded coconut for a different texture.
  • For a stronger coffee flavor, stir a teaspoon of instant coffee into the mixture before cooking.
  • For kids, roll smaller, marble sized balls, they'll end up eating more without quite realizing it.

What to serve it with

  • A strong coffee or café au lait
  • Fresh fruit like strawberries or pineapple
  • A light black tea after the meal

Storage

Brigadeiros keep for 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. They don't freeze well, the texture turns grainy once thawed. Just take them out of the fridge twenty minutes before serving, no need to warm them.

Questions about this recipe

Why does my brigadeiro mixture stay too runny?

It hasn't cooked long enough. The mixture should thicken until it clearly pulls away from the bottom of the pot, around ten minutes over low heat while stirring constantly.

Can sweetened condensed milk be replaced with something else?

It's the key ingredient, giving brigadeiros their fudgy texture and sweetness, so it's best not to swap it out. You'll find sweetened condensed milk easily in the baking aisle.

How do you present brigadeiros nicely for guests?

Place each ball in a small colored paper cup and arrange them in a pyramid on a plate. You can vary the coatings, sprinkles, cocoa powder, shredded coconut, for a richer visual effect.

Can the recipe be doubled for more guests?

Yes, it doubles or triples easily, just keep the heat low and watch the mixture closely since it sticks faster in larger batches.

Can some brigadeiros be made ahead?

Yes, it's even recommended. The recipe needs 30 min of work in total, split up like this, the day before, 4 steps, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make some brigadeiros?

Allow 1 h 30 in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 30 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "easy".

How many calories are in some brigadeiros?

About 330 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does some brigadeiros cost?

About €0.80 per person, that's €4.80 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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