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A bitten brigadeiro on a rack.
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5 from 96 votes

Brigadeiros Recipe (Brazilian Chocolate Balls)

Indulge in our brigadeiros recipe, featuring rich and fudgy Brazilian chocolate balls that melt in your mouth and deliver a touch of sweetness to any party. It comes with a video and step by step photos. 
Course:Dessert
Cuisine:Brazilian
Prep Time 22 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 28 brigadeiros
Calories49 kcal
Cost $ 0.10 per person

Equipment

  • 1 medium non-stick, wide saucepan
  • 1 whisk
  • 1 plate to cool the mixture
  • ½ tablespoon to use as a measurement to roll the mixture into balls

Ingredients

  • 14 oz sweetened condensed milk or 1 can
  • 2 tablespoon baking cocoa powder unsweetened ( you may use ¼ cup instead for a richer treat)
  • ½ tablespoon unsalted butter (softened) plus extra to grease plate and hands. TIP: If preparing our brigadeiros recipe in the summertime, use just 1 teaspoon of butter in the mixture, making it easier to roll into balls without deforming.
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract OPTIONAL
  • Chocolate vermicelli or good quality chocolate sprinkles Enough to cover the chocolate balls

Instructions

  • Combine Ingredients: In a medium non-stick saucepan, combine the sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder, and unsalted butter. Whisk well to combine.
  • Cook the Mixture: Cook the mixture over medium heat (large burner), stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and starts to peel away/show the bottom of the pan when you scrape it with your wooden spoon (about 5-8 minutes). If you want, stir in vanilla extract for extra flavor!
  • Cool the Mixture: Transfer the mixture to a greased plate and let it cool for at least 30 minutes (or at room temperature). This makes it easier to handle when shaping the brigadeiros.
  • Shape the Brigadeiros: Once cooled, butter your hands slightly and scoop out small amounts of the mixture. Using a ½ or 1 tablespoon as measurement, roll them into balls.
  • Coat the Brigadeiros: Roll each ball in chocolate sprinkles until fully coated.
  • Serve or Store: Place the brigadeiros in paper cups and enjoy them. If not serving them right away, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They can be also stored in the refrigerator for up to 4-7 days, or frozen in Ziploc bags for up to 30 days.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

ALTERNATIVE serving suggestions: If you don't get the right consistency and the cooked mixture is too soft and can't be rolled into balls, the alternative is to serve brigadeiros piped on spoons or into shot glasses/cups to be eaten with small spoons almost like a shot of pudding-- as we do in Brazil. 
How to make brigadeiros in the microwave (alternative method):
  1. Follow the instructions above on how to mix the ingredients in a deep microwave-safe bowl.  
  2. If your microwave is 900 watts, let the mixture cook on full power for about 6 minutes -- removing and stirring at least every 2 minutes, or until thick enough to be rolled (when it cools down, the mixture will be thicker). 
  3. While it is cooking, do not leave the microwave unattended because the mixture will rise and possibly bubble over, making a mess. Every time it rises, pause until the mixture settles back down. If 1100 watts, cook at 80 % power. Double batches take more time to cook. 
  4. Then follow the steps above for how to cool, roll, and serve brigadeiros. 

Nutrition

Calories: 49kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 18mg | Potassium: 59mg | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 44IU | Calcium: 41mg

** Nutrition labels on easyanddelish.com are for educational purposes only. This info is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate, since the nutrition content of recipes can vary based on ingredient brand or source, portion sizes, recipe changes/variations, and other factors. We suggest making your own calculations using your preferred calculator, based on which ingredients you use, or consulting with a registered dietitian to determine nutritional values more precisely.

Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimen, or for any other issue necessitating medical advice.

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