The Perfect Brigadeiro Recipe: A Sweet Brazilian Delight

Brigadeiros dance with irresistible chocolate charm, captivating taste buds across Brazilian celebrations.

Sweet and velvety, these tiny confections represent more than just a dessert – they embody cultural nostalgia and culinary craftsmanship.

Condensed milk reinvents into a luxurious mixture that promises pure indulgence with each delectable bite.

Chocolate sprinkles add a playful texture that elevates these modest truffles into something extraordinary.

Crafted with minimal ingredients, brigadeiros showcase how simplicity can create maximum flavor and joy.

Home cooks and professional chefs alike adore the magical ease of preparing these beloved treats.

Prepare to fall in love with a Brazilian delicacy that turns ordinary moments into sweet memories.

Brigadeiro: A Sweet Brazilian Delight

• Savor Brazilian Sweet Sensation: Brigadeiros offer an irresistible taste of traditional Brazilian dessert culture with rich chocolate flavor and creamy texture.
• Master Quick Confection: Simple ingredients and easy cooking method make these treats perfect for beginners, requiring just one skillet and minimal technical skills.
• Celebrate Party-Perfect Delight: Compact bite-sized balls covered in chocolate sprinkles create an elegant, crowd-pleasing dessert ideal for birthdays, gatherings, and festive occasions.
• Indulge Decadent Chocolate Moment: Fudgy chocolate base with glossy sprinkle coating delivers an intensely sweet experience that melts smoothly in your mouth, satisfying intense chocolate cravings.

Must-Have Ingredients for Brigadeiro

Main Ingredients:

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: A rich, creamy base that provides sweetness and helps create the smooth texture of the brigadeiro.
• Cocoa Powder: Gives deep chocolate flavor and contributes to the dark brown color of the treat.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps prevent sticking while providing a smooth consistency.
• Salt: Enhances the overall chocolate flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Chocolate Sprinkles: Traditional Brazilian coating that adds texture and extra chocolate flavor to the brigadeiro.

• Water: Helpful for slightly dampening hands to prevent sticking when rolling the chocolate balls.

Tips for Perfect Brigadeiro

• Stir Consistently: Keep stirring the mixture continuously to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
• Check Thickness Carefully: The mixture is ready when it forms a fudgy mass and pulls away from the pan's sides, which takes about 8-10 minutes.
• Chill Thoroughly: Freezing the mixture for 30 minutes helps firm up the chocolate, making it easier to roll into perfect balls.
• Wet Hands Slightly: Lightly dampen your hands with water to prevent the chocolate from sticking while forming balls.
• Use Fresh Sprinkles: Choose high-quality chocolate sprinkles for the best coating and a professional-looking finish.

Storing and Reheating Brigadeiro

• Refrigerate: Store brigadeiros in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers. Chocolate balls will stay fresh for up to 5 days when kept in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Wrap individual brigadeiros tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen treats maintain perfect texture for 2-3 weeks when sealed properly.
• Reheating: Let refrigerated or frozen brigadeiros sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. Gentle warming allows the chocolate to soften and restore its creamy, fudgy consistency without losing its delicate shape.

Pairing Brigadeiro with Coffee or Ice Cream

• Pair with Bold Espresso: Brew a rich, dark espresso that cuts through the sweetness of the brigadeiro, creating a perfect balance of intense coffee and creamy chocolate flavors.
• Match with Brazilian Cachaça: Sip on a smooth cachaça alongside these chocolate truffles, embracing the traditional Brazilian spirit that complements the dessert's cultural roots.
• Complement with Fresh Berries: Serve a small side of tart raspberries or strawberries to add a bright, acidic contrast to the rich, fudgy chocolate balls.
• Enhance with Aged Red Wine: Select a full-bodied red wine like Malbec, whose deep fruit notes and slight tannins beautifully highlight the brigadeiro's decadent chocolate essence.

Fun Variations of Brigadeiro

• Coconut Crunch Brigadeiro: Swap chocolate sprinkles with toasted coconut flakes, adding a tropical nutty crunch to the classic Brazilian treat.
• White Chocolate Swirl: Mix white chocolate chips into the condensed milk base, creating a marbled effect with contrasting rich flavors.
• Mocha Lover's Edition: Incorporate instant coffee powder during cooking to infuse a deep espresso undertone into the traditional chocolate brigadeiro.
• Pistachio Elegance: Roll finished brigadeiros in finely chopped pistachio nuts, introducing a sophisticated green-tinted coating with subtle earthy notes.

How to Make Brigadeiro

Step 1: Create Chocolate Base

In a skillet, mix all ingredients together, stirring constantly over medium heat for 8-10 minutes. Watch for the mixture to thicken and pull away from pan sides, forming a rich, fudgy texture.

Step 2: Chill the Mixture

Transfer the chocolate mixture to a plate and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes until completely cooled and firm.

Step 3: Prepare Coating Station

Spread chocolate sprinkles evenly on a clean plate, ready for rolling the brigadeiros.

Step 4: Shape Chocolate Balls

Using a spoon, scoop out portions of the chilled chocolate mixture and roll between your palms to create smooth, round balls.

Step 5: Roll in Sprinkles

Gently roll each chocolate ball in the chocolate sprinkles, ensuring complete coverage. If hands get sticky, lightly dampen them with water to prevent mixture from sticking.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Arrange the coated brigadeiros on a serving plate, ready to delight friends and family with this classic Brazilian sweet treat.

Brigadeiro Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 20 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Brazilian chocolate truffles bring pure joy to dessert lovers. These fudgy, condensed milk-based treats roll smooth cocoa magic into bite-sized spheres of happiness you’ll savor with pure delight.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dairy and Sweet Base:

• 1 (14-ounce / 397 grams) sweetened condensed milk
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) unsalted butter

Dry Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup (40 grams) cocoa powder (Dutch-process or natural unsweetened)
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Coating:

• ½ cup (50 grams) chocolate sprinkles

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. In a medium-sized saucepan, whisk together 1 can (/ 397 grams) sweetened condensed milk, unsweetened cocoa powder, unsalted butter, and a pinch of salt until smooth and well combined.
2. Position the saucepan over medium heat, continuously stirring the mixture with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to prevent scorching.
3. Maintain constant stirring while the mixture gradually thickens and transforms into a dense, glossy consistency that slowly pulls away from the pan’s edges.
4. Continue cooking for approximately 8-10 minutes, ensuring the mixture reaches a fudgy, pudding-like texture that holds its shape when stirred.
5. Remove the pan from heat and immediately transfer the chocolate mixture to a clean, flat plate or shallow dish.
6. Cover the surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming and place in the refrigerator to cool and firm up for approximately 30-40 minutes.
7. While chilling, spread chocolate sprinkles evenly on a separate clean plate, preparing for coating.
8. Once the mixture has cooled and solidified, use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out uniform chocolate balls.
9. Gently roll each portion between palms, creating smooth, round shapes, and lightly moistening hands with water if the mixture becomes sticky.
10. Immediately roll each chocolate ball in the prepared chocolate sprinkles, ensuring complete and even coverage.
11. Arrange the finished brigadeiros on a serving platter, spacing them slightly apart to prevent sticking.
12. Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled for optimal texture and flavor.

Notes

• Perfect for kids’ parties or late-night chocolate cravings.
• Chilling helps create smooth, easy-to-roll chocolate balls.
• Brazilian chocolate truffles work best with fresh, high-quality cocoa powder.
• Dampening hands prevents sticky mixture from clinging during rolling.
• Store in refrigerator for up to five days in an airtight container.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Brazilian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 20
• Calories: 192 kcal
• Sugar: 22g
• Sodium: 45mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 29g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: <1g
• Cholesterol: <5mg