Homemade Brazilian Brigadeiro Recipe: Sweet Treats Made Simply

Chocolate lovers unite over this beloved Brazilian dessert that brings pure joy to every gathering.

The traditional brigadeiro recipe dances with rich, velvety flavor that melts hearts instantly.

Brazilians cherish this sweet treat as a nostalgic reminder of childhood celebrations.

These bite-sized chocolate truffles burst with creamy decadence and simplicity.

Each smooth, round morsel tells a story of culinary passion passed through generations.

No party or birthday is complete without a plate of these irresistible chocolate balls.

Roll up your sleeves and get ready to create a dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 120 kcal

Servings: 21

What You’ll Need for Traditional Brigadeiro

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creamy foundation that provides rich sweetness and helps create the signature smooth texture of traditional Brazilian brigadeiros.
• Cocoa Powder: Essential for deep chocolate flavor, selecting high-quality dark cocoa ensures intense and robust chocolate taste.
• Salt: Subtle enhancer that balances and deepens the overall sweetness of the dessert.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps prevent sticking while rolling, choose unsalted butter for better control of recipe's final flavor.

• Chocolate Sprinkles: Classic Brazilian topping that provides delightful crunch and extra chocolate dimension, look for high-quality sprinkles with good chocolate intensity.

• Paper/Foil Candy Cups: Charming presentation vessels that make brigadeiros look professional and make serving easier, select small and colorful cups for added visual appeal.

Brigadeiro Tools & Equipment You’ll Love

• Saucepan: Small, heavy-bottomed pan for cooking the brigadeiro mixture evenly.
• Wooden Spoon: Essential for stirring and preventing the mixture from burning.
• Plate: Used to cool down the brigadeiro mixture to room temperature.
• Small Bowl: For holding butter to grease hands while rolling balls.
• Measuring Spoon: Half tablespoon size for consistent brigadeiro portions.
• Plate or Shallow Dish: For rolling brigadeiro in chocolate sprinkles.
• Paper/Foil Candy Cups: To serve and present the finished brigadeiros.

How to Cook Traditional Brazilian Brigadeiros

• Chocolatey Base

Grab a small saucepan and blend condensed milk, cocoa powder, a pinch of salt, and butter into a smooth mixture.

• Cooking Magic

Warm the pan over gentle heat, stirring continuously until the mixture transforms into a thick, glossy texture that reveals the pan’s bottom when scraped.

• Cooling Moment

Pour the chocolate mixture onto a flat surface and let it chill to room temperature, allowing the flavors to settle and consistency to become perfect.

• Playful Shaping

Lightly butter your palms and gently roll the cooled mixture into adorable bite-sized spheres, creating small chocolate treasures.

• Sprinkle Finale

Tumble each delicate chocolate ball through a shower of chocolate sprinkles, then nestle them into delicate paper cups ready to delight.

Flavor Twists for Brigadeiro Lovers

• Try rolling brigadeiros in crushed nuts, coconut flakes, or colorful sugar crystals for a unique texture and flavor twist.
• Prepare the brigadeiro mixture up to 3 days in advance and store in the refrigerator, covered. Bring to room temperature before shaping into balls for easy handling.
• Use a candy thermometer to ensure the mixture reaches exactly 220°F for perfect consistency. This prevents overcooking and maintains a smooth, creamy texture.
• Experiment with different cocoa powder types or add a splash of vanilla extract, coffee liqueur, or orange zest to elevate the traditional Brazilian treat with unexpected depth.
• Keep brigadeiros in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or refrigerate for up to a week. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best taste and soft texture.

Serve Traditional Brigadeiro with Flair

• Pair with Coffee: Serve these rich, chocolatey brigadeiros alongside a steaming cup of Brazilian coffee for a delightful dessert experience that brings out the deep cocoa flavors.
• Create a Dessert Platter: Arrange the brigadeiros with other Brazilian sweets like beijinhos or quindim for a colorful, tempting display that showcases traditional Brazilian confections.
• Elevate Party Treats: Use decorative mini paper cups to present these chocolate balls at birthdays, weddings, or celebrations, adding a touch of elegance to your dessert spread.
• Gift with Love: Package a few brigadeiros in a beautiful box with ribbons for a homemade gift that shows personal care and celebrates Brazilian culinary tradition.

How to Store Leftover Brigadeiros

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store brigadeiros in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain their smooth texture and rich chocolate flavor.
• Prevent Sticking: Place wax paper between layers of brigadeiros to keep them from clumping together and preserve their individual shapes.
• Room Temperature Strategy: Remove brigadeiros from the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving to soften slightly and enhance their creamy consistency.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual brigadeiros in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container to enjoy up to 1 month later, perfect for make-ahead dessert planning.

Silky Brigadeiro Recipe

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• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 21 1x

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Description

Brazilian chocolate truffles like brigadeiro delight palates with rich cocoa and condensed milk flavors. Sweet chocolate spheres rolled in sprinkles promise a simple yet elegant dessert experience for chocolate enthusiasts.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 tbsps cocoa powder
• 2 tbsps (30 g) butter
• 1 (14 oz / 400 g) can sweet condensed milk
• 1 pinch salt
• chocolate sprinkles (good quality)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Combine sweetened condensed milk, unsweetened cocoa powder, salt, and unsalted butter in a small saucepan, whisking ingredients until fully integrated.
2. Cooking: Position saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon to prevent burning and achieve uniform texture. Continue cooking for 10-12 minutes until mixture becomes dense and fudge-like, with the ability to glimpse the pan’s bottom when dragging the spoon.
3. Cooling: Spread the chocolate mixture evenly on a flat plate, allowing it to cool and set at room temperature for 30-45 minutes.
4. Shaping: Lightly butter your palms to prevent sticking, then gently roll the cooled mixture into consistent, small spherical shapes.
5. Coating: Roll each chocolate sphere thoroughly in chocolate sprinkles, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
6. Presentation: Transfer the finished brigadeiros into individual paper or foil candy cups, creating an elegant Brazilian dessert display.

Notes

• Prevent Burning Carefully: Stir the mixture continuously and maintain medium-low heat to avoid scorching the delicate chocolate base.
• Check Consistency Precisely: The mixture is ready when you can briefly see the bottom of the pan after dragging your spoon, indicating a perfect fudge-like texture.
• Butter Hands Smartly: Lightly coat palms with softened butter before rolling to prevent sticky chocolate from clinging to your hands.
• Chill for Perfect Shape: Allow the chocolate mixture to cool completely at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to ensure easier and more uniform rolling.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 21
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 10 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg