Traditional Brigadeiro Recipe (Brazilian Fudge Balls) • I Heart Brazil (2024)

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This Brigadeiro recipe is straightforward and tastes divine! The chewy truffle melts in your mouth and challenges you to eat only one. But, why would you?

Traditional Brigadeiro Recipe (Brazilian Fudge Balls) • I Heart Brazil (1)

I love brigadeiro. My husband is crazy about brigadeiro. My whole family loves it, too—adults and children.

Well, what can I say? Brigadeiro is a delicious Brazilian sweet that is very popular in the country. There’s not a single children’s party without it. Otherwise, it’s not a real party.

My husband and I don’t have kids, but I often prepare brigadeiro of all flavors just because I have a sweet tooth. (Or I’m having a severe PMS. It helps.)

But in all honesty, when I prepare it just for the two of us, I rarely roll the dough into balls. We simply eat it from a bowl and that’s perfectly fine.

Once my husband got home to find me watching Netflix and holding an empty bowl of brigadeiro. He got jealous, but hey “happy wife, happy life,” he said.

Brigadeiro pronunciation: bree-gah-DAY-roh

Traditional Brigadeiro Recipe (Brazilian Fudge Balls) • I Heart Brazil (2)

Brigadeiro origins

Jokes apart, brigadeiro is a candy with an interesting story.

Right after WW2, while Rio de Janeiro was still Brazil’s capital, the country was busy with the reelection of the new president.

One of the candidates, Brigadier Eduardo Gomes, besides being quite charming, was considered a handsome man by the female voters, who were finally allowed to vote in 1932.

Traditional Brigadeiro Recipe (Brazilian Fudge Balls) • I Heart Brazil (3)

To show their candidate support, these voters prepared sweets to serve in rallies and public meetings.

Mind you, brigadeiro was named after the candidate’s title, brigadier, but in Portuguese.

But because it was a post-war period, the country was still rationing many ingredients and products.

And instead of using milk and sugar, as in most desserts, Heloísa Nabuco de Olivera–the creator of brigadeiro–used sweetened condensed milk to prepare this delicious Brazilian sweet.

Traditional Brigadeiro Recipe (Brazilian Fudge Balls) • I Heart Brazil (4)

Little did Heloísa know her recipe would become Brazil’s most popular sweet for generations to come. Today, this little fudge truffle is part of our cuisine.

Fun fact about Brazil: Despite the support of the female voters, Brigadier Eduardo Gomes didn’t win the elections. Eurico Gaspar Dutra did. The brigadier lost the election and Brazil won its favorite sweet.

FAQ Brazilian chocolate balls

First, I’ll answer a couple of questions from readers. Then I’ll talk about the ingredients and how to make brigadeiro.

Traditional Brigadeiro Recipe (Brazilian Fudge Balls) • I Heart Brazil (5)

What does brigadeiro mean?

The candy was originally called “Brigadeiro’s sweet,” because that’s the translation of brigadier to Portuguese.

Mind you, this sweet was created in support of a Brazilian brigadier. But years later, the name was shortened to only brigadeiro. That’s the reason this delicious treat is important to Brazil.

What is brigadeiro?

Brigadeiro is a Brazilian chocolate truffle garnished with sprinkles. It’s usually served in a candy cup No3, but we, Brazilians, also eat it with a spoon (from a small bowl).

Traditional Brigadeiro Recipe (Brazilian Fudge Balls) • I Heart Brazil (6)

What does brigadeiro taste like?

Like heaven! Brigadeiro tastes like a chocolate fudge melting in your mouth. I don’t know if the sweetened condensed milk in America is as sweet as the one we have in Brazil, but this ingredient, together with pure cocoa powder, makes wonders.

Is it easy to prepare?

Absolutely! You basically put everything all ingredients in a pan, cook for 15 minutes, let it rest, and roll the balls. It doesn’t take long and no advanced cooking skills are needed for it.

Traditional Brigadeiro Recipe (Brazilian Fudge Balls) • I Heart Brazil (7)

Is it served cold?

Yes, or at least at room temperature. If the truffles are warm, they will melt and make a huge mess. It’s only ok to eat it warm if you’re eating it from a bowl.

Should you refrigerate brigadeiro?

Yes, immediately after cooking it to speed up the cooling process. Only after it cools down, you can roll it to its final form.

Traditional Brigadeiro Recipe (Brazilian Fudge Balls) • I Heart Brazil (8)

How to store brigadeiros? Can you freeze it?

Personally, I prefer to leave my brigadeiros at ambient temperature because I live in a cold place. In this case, I recommend you eat them within three days.

If you refrigerate them, keep it for seven days, but be aware that besides getting a bit dry, they could also have their color, texture, and flavor changed a little.

Brigadeiros freeze really well for up to three months, but in that case, I suggest you don’t roll them into balls. Only freeze the dough; otherwise, they might not look so appealing as before.

If you have any leftovers that you want to save for another party or just to save for after your diet, all you need to do is to store them in a plastic container with the lid tightly closed in the freezer and without the candy cups.

This way, when it thaws, it won’t ruin the cup and possibly the brigadeiro too. To thaw, leave them at room temperature for about one hour.

Traditional Brigadeiro Recipe (Brazilian Fudge Balls) • I Heart Brazil (9)

Brigadeiro variations

Brigadeiro is a very versatile sweet. You can create different flavors or a mix of flavors as you like.

There are plenty of brigadeiro recipe variations possible, but a few of my favorites are coconut (beijinho), pumpkin, and lemon.

Brigadeiro recipe

This brigadeiro recipe is very easy to follow. Once you start rolling the truffles, I recommend you do it in batches for practical reasons.

First, the step-by-step instructions that will walk you through the whole cooking process of this divine brigadeiro recipe.

Brigadeiro ingredients

Traditional Brigadeiro Recipe (Brazilian Fudge Balls) • I Heart Brazil (10)
  • Sweetened condensed milk: this is the base for most Brazilian desserts, and what makes this brigadeiro so sweet.
  • Unsalted butter: just so you can control the amount of salt in your brigadeiro recipe.
  • A pinch of salt: to enhance the brigadeiro flavor.
  • Cocoa powder: cocoa powder adds a sophisticated touch of real chocolate. Obviously, you could also use chocolate milk powder, but because it comes with lots of sugar, your brigadeiro might not taste so well.
  • Chocolate sprinkles to garnish: personally, I use pure chocolate sprinkles simply because I love pure chocolate. However, you can use any sprinkles you like in your Brazilian fudge balls.

Your step-by-step brigadeiro recipe

As I said before, brigadeiro is an easy Brazilian dessert to prepare. There’s no secret. First, grease a plate with butter and set aside.

Then, mix the condensed milk, the butter, and the cocoa powder in a medium non-stick pan.

Traditional Brigadeiro Recipe (Brazilian Fudge Balls) • I Heart Brazil (11)

Be sure to continually stir with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula so the milk won’t burn at the bottom.

The secret of getting the brigadeiro to the right cooking point where it won’t stick to your hands when you roll the little balls is to let it cook a little more than most brigadeiro recipes say.

Traditional Brigadeiro Recipe (Brazilian Fudge Balls) • I Heart Brazil (12)

Most of them say to turn off the stove after the mixture seems more like a dough and it starts pulling away from the sides of the pan. But I say, continue stirring it for a minute after the dough starts acting like that.

When I cook it for a further minute, the brigadeiro never sticks to my hand. It is very easy to roll.

Traditional Brigadeiro Recipe (Brazilian Fudge Balls) • I Heart Brazil (13)

Remove it from the heat and transfer the mixture to the greased plate and spread. Let it cool in the freezer for 25 minutes.

Before you start molding your brigadeiros, put the chocolate sprinkles on a plate next to you, another plate filled with candy cups, and butter to grease your hands a little.

Traditional Brigadeiro Recipe (Brazilian Fudge Balls) • I Heart Brazil (14)

To mold the brigadeiro into balls, take a full teaspoon with the dough and roll it between your buttered hands. Put the little balls on the plate with sprinkles, but don’t coat it yet.

Tip from a local: It’s easier to roll them in batches and only then to coat them with sprinkles; otherwise, your hands will get filled with them.

After you have no more space on the plate or there’s no more dough, roll the brigadeiros around the plate with sprinkles to coat all sides and transfer each ball to a candy cup. Bom apetite!

Did you like this recipe for brigadeiro? Then save it to your Pinterest board and send it to a friend who might also like it.

Traditional Brigadeiro Recipe (Brazilian Fudge Balls) • I Heart Brazil (15)
Traditional Brigadeiro Recipe (Brazilian Fudge Balls) • I Heart Brazil (16)

Brigadeiro recipe

Yield: 20 truffles

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Rolling Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Brigadeiro is a classic Brazilian sweet with an incredibly easy recipe. You'll fall in love with this delicious treat at first bite.

Ingredients

  • 1 14-ounce (397 grams) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • A pinch of salt to enhance the flavor
  • Chocolate sprinkles or any other you prefer

Instructions

  1. Grease a plate with butter and set aside.
  2. In a medium non-stick pan, combine the condensed milk, butter, and cocoa powder in medium heat and mix it well.
  3. The mixture thickens after about 10-12 minutes, and once you can run your silicone spatula through the middle of it without it running back together for 2-3 seconds, it is done.
  4. Pour the mixture onto the lightly greased plate and let it chill in the fridge for an hour.
  5. In the meantime, prepare the candy cups and place the sprinkles in a bowl.
  6. Once chilled, you are ready to roll the little balls. Lightly wet your hands, put a tablespoon of the chewy mixture on your hands, and roll into a small ball.
  7. Roll it over the sprinkles.
  8. Place the balls in the candy cups, and voila! Enjoy it!
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 20Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 99Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 52mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 0gSugar: 15gProtein: 2g

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Traditional Brigadeiro Recipe (Brazilian Fudge Balls) • I Heart Brazil (2024)

FAQs

What is Brazilian brigadeiros made of? ›

It is made of condensed milk, cocoa powder, butter, and chocolate sprinkles covering the outside layer. It is a popular confection throughout the country, especially for festive events.

What is the national dessert of Brazil? ›

The national dessert of Brazil is brigadeiro, a small chocolate truffle-like sweet that is very popular throughout the country. Brigadeiro is made from sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder, butter, and chocolate sprinkles. It is usually rolled into small balls and then covered in the sprinkles.

What is the most famous sweet in Brazil? ›

Creative and Flavorful Creations, Here Are the Most popular Desserts From Brazil
  • Brigadeiro. Brigadeiro is a dish loved all over the country and is a staple at celebrations. ...
  • Beijinho. Beijinho means 'little kiss' and the dish is also called branquinho. ...
  • Quindim. ...
  • Canjica. ...
  • Paçoca. ...
  • Cocada. ...
  • Bolo de Rolo.
Nov 28, 2023

What is the difference between a truffle and a brigadeiro? ›

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.

Why do Brazilians eat brigadeiros? ›

A Brazilian Confection. Stoica explains their popularity saying that Brazilians love brigadeiros because they're sweet, beautiful, and easy to eat wherever you are. She goes on to explain, “They're also an essential addition to any celebration or party.

What does brigadeiro mean in Brazil? ›

The brigadeiro emerged during this time as a simple yet delicious treat made from the readily available condensed milk, mixed with cocoa powder and butter. The sweet is named after Brigadier Eduardo Gomes, a Brazilian Air Force officer who ran for president in 1945 and again in 1950.

What is Brazil's favorite dessert? ›

It is said that if Brazil had to declare a national dessert, it would most likely be mousse de maracujá, or passion fruit mousse. The dessert consists of fresh passion fruit, sweetened milk, and creme de leite, a product similar to evaporated milk.

What is Brazil's main delicacy? ›

1. Feijoada. The most famous of all Brazilian dishes, Feijoada is eaten in every corner of the country. This rich, hearty stew consists of black beans cooked with different cuts of pork, supplemented with tomatoes, cabbage, and carrots to round out the flavor.

What do Brazilians eat for breakfast? ›

A favorite breakfast in Brazil is pingado with french bread or rolls. Pingado is a beverage made with steamed milk and just a splash of coffee. It can be plain or sweetened with sugar. It is paired with a warm baguette from the bakery, smeared with plenty of butter.

What do Brazilians drink the most? ›

The caipirinha (kai-purr-REEN-yah) is the national drink of Brazil. It's the most popular cocktail in the South American country, and everyone has their own way of making it.

What is most eaten in Brazil? ›

One of the most popular and commonly consumed dishes in Brazil is Feijoada. It is a hearty and flavorful stew made with black beans, a variety of meats such as pork, beef, and sausage, and served with rice, collard greens, and farofa.

What food do Brazilians love? ›

Most common are rice, beans, and some protein, either chicken or steak, along with salad. However, we have a wide variety of traditional dishes in Brazil. Brazil is a very large country, so the traditional dishes in the South are quite different from those in the North, and so on.

Why is my brigadeiros sticky? ›

Condensed milk is regular milk cooked down until very sweet and thick. This process makes it gloppy. When you mix gloppy condensed milk with cocoa powder and butter to make Brigadeiros, the chocolate balls stay sticky.

How long can you keep brigadeiros? ›

While you can leave brigadeiros at room temperature, in a cool and dry place, for up to 3 days, I like refrigerating them as they last for up to a week in the fridge.

How would you describe brigadeiro? ›

Brigadeiros are a chocolate dessert, similar to truffles. Made from condensed milk, cocoa powder, butter, and coated in chocolate sprinkles, they are typically small spheres that are served in mini cupcake-like foil liners. Like truffles, brigadeiros are a dense and sticky chocolate treat.

Why does Brazilian chocolate taste different? ›

When it comes to chocolate, the processing is key. Brazilian cocoa has been recognized for its post-harvest stages, such as fermentation and drying. These are essential stages, responsible for the formation of the taste and flavor precursors.

What does brigadeiro mean in English? ›

Translation of brigadeiro – Portuguese–English dictionary

brigadier [noun] in the army, the commander of a brigade.

Why are brigadeiros so popular? ›

The brigadeiro now makes up a big part of Brazilian culture and is considered a national icon. They're found throughout Brazil, especially at festive events like birthdays and weddings. They're synonymous with being happy and having fun!

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