Brigadeiro

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Brigadeiro, essentially a Brazilian chocolate bonbon or truffle, has been on my mind since returning from Brazil! While there, I sampled it in it's true form, in ice cream form, and in a variety of other dessert applications. And I've been obsessed ever since.

A white bowl of Brigadeiro, a Brazilian Chocolate Bonbon coated in chocolate sprkinles with the background blurred out.


 

Why I Love This Recipe

It's really one of the easiest recipes I've ever posted as it's just a combination of 3 ingredients and then covered in sprinkles or shredded coconut. I don't think the coconut covered brigadeiro is a traditional way to serve it, but I wanted to mix things up. I think coconut can really bring out a great flavor in desserts- I love some coconut vanilla scones and coconut chocolate chip cookies. Also, I'm just going to put it out there... I'm usually morally opposed to sprinkles. I have no idea why, but I'm making an exception for this Brigadeiro situation we've got going on over here today!

A parchment-lined baking dish with Brigadeiro, some coated in chocolate sprinkles and some in coconut, with the background blurred out.

These little chocolate balls are super sweet, gooey, dense and will satisfy any sweet tooth like whoa! Made of condensed milk and cocoa powder plus a touch of butter, these will be ready to go in no time! As I mentioned above, most are coated in chocolate sprinkles, but I jazzed a handful up with some shredded coconut! You could use crushed cookies, rainbow sprinkles, or any other topping type food that you please!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Mise-en-place with all the ingredients required to make brigadeiro
  • Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder
  • Sweetened condensed milk
  • Unsalted Butter
  • Topping Options
    • Chocolate Sprinkles
    • Shredded Coconut
    • Crushed Oreos
    • Rainbow Sprinkles

*For a full list of ingredients and instructions please see recipe card below.

How to Make Brigadeiro

A saucepan with condensed milk, butter and cocoa powder.

Step 1: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine cocoa powder, butter and condensed milk. Cook, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes.

A saucepan with thick mixture made of cocoa powder, condensed milk and butter.

Step 2: The consistency should be thick after cooking. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture rest until cool enough to touch.

4 small bowls with toppings consisting oreos, rainbow sprinkles, chocolate sprinkles and shredded coconut and a parchment lined baking sheet of brigadeiros coated, each in one of these.

Step 3: Scoop the mixture into small balls, about ¾ inch in diameter, and roll in the topping of your preference. Chill before serving.

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.

How to Freeze Brigadeiro

You can freeze these for up to three months! Freeze in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and then transfer to a freezer bag. You can thaw them in the fridge or outside when you want to eat them.

Tips & Tricks

You could also use crushed cookies, nuts, whatever you want to add on these!

FAQs

What is the difference between a truffle and a brigadeiro?

Brigadeiros are unique in that they are made with sweetened condensed milk. They also do not have a hard chocolate coating, unlike truffles. They are soft in and out, and rolled in toppings.

What if the brigadeiro mixture is too runny to shape?

Let the batter cool more, might help chilling in the fridge for a bit for it to firm up so you can shape it more easily.

Similar Recipes

If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today

Brigadeiro

Author: Gaby Dalkin
5 from 1 vote
It’s really one of the easiest recipes I’ve ever posted as it’s just a combination of 3 ingredients and then covered in sprinkles or shredded coconut. 
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Brazilian
Servings 16 people

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tablespoons dutch processed cocoa powder
  • 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Topping Options

  • chocolate sprinkles
  • shredded coconut
  • crushed oreos
  • rainbow sprinkles

Instructions
 

  • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine cocoa powder, butter and condensed milk.
  • Cook, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes. The consistency should be thick after cooking. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture rest until cool enough to touch.
  • Scoop the mixture into small balls, about ¾ inch in diameter, and roll in the topping of your preference. Chill before serving.

Notes

You could also use crushed cookies, nuts, whatever you want to add on these!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 88kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 32mg | Potassium: 106mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 88IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 0.2mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @WhatsGabyCookin or tag #whatsgabycooking!

34 Comments

  1. 2 years ago, My Girl Scout troop made these for Thinking Day. They chose Brazil and were so delighted to find such a easy & fun recipe for their food sample. We made 1oo+ and they were eaten up right away by all of the kids I just had a parent text me for the recipe.... they were that memorable!!!!!
    Thank you so much for this recipe.

  2. I have a hard time finding Dutch processed cocoa powder near me. Is it possible to sub it with natural cocoa powder?

  3. I made these last nite and they were like pudding. after leaving them in the refrig overnite ( I put some mixture in mini cupcake cups, they were still like pudding. So this morning I am recooking the mixture to see if I can get them thicker. any ideas what I did wrong?

    1. I did not make any adjustments except to double the recipe. I oooked it again this morning on low for about an hour and 1/2 It is cooling now but it still is pretty loose. However, when I stir it there are some thicker spots. Hopefully when it is stirred really well and cools it will be a better consistency. PS yes I did stir about every 10 min while cooking.

  4. I'm eating one as I post this! These are amazing!!! They were so easy to make and they were cheap!!!! They are like chocolate balls of heaven!

  5. Very easy to make! Stirred until thick which was about 10 minutes and then let cool. Rolled into balls and rolled in some sprinkles. That easy! I like them cold so I refrigerate them. Thanks for the yummy yet easy recipe!

  6. These look super cute and easy!! I can't wait to try these out. Maybe I'll whip up a batch for the big Brazil vs Germany game! I'm not sure that I'll be able to have the self control to scoop these out...unless it's with a spoon 🙂

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