Creamy Brazilian Brigadeiros
A quick and easy recipe for creamy Brazilian brigadeiros, a beloved sweet treat made with simple pantry ingredients like sweetened condensed milk and cocoa powder. These fudgy chocolate balls are perfect for any occasion and loved by all ages.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 40-50 minutes
- Yield: 20 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Brazilian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 can (14 oz / 395 g) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/4 cup (25 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (60 g) chocolate sprinkles
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: Pinch of cinnamon
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder, softened unsalted butter, and a pinch of salt. Add vanilla extract if using. Stir until smooth and fully combined.
- Place the saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula, scraping the bottom and sides to prevent burning.
- Cook for about 10-15 minutes until the mixture thickens and pulls away from the sides of the pan. The mixture should slide slowly and hold its shape when tilted.
- Pour the thickened mixture onto a buttered plate or shallow dish. Spread out and let cool at room temperature for 30-40 minutes until cool but still pliable.
- Lightly butter your hands. Using a teaspoon or small spoon, scoop out about 1 tablespoon (15 g) portions of the mixture.
- Roll each portion between your palms to form smooth balls about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. Chill for 10 minutes if mixture is too sticky.
- Pour chocolate sprinkles into a shallow bowl and roll each ball in the sprinkles until fully coated.
- Place coated brigadeiros in a covered container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Constant stirring on medium-low heat is essential to prevent burning and achieve the perfect creamy texture. Butter your hands before rolling to avoid sticking. Let the mixture cool naturally; avoid freezing to preserve texture. Experiment with coatings like crushed nuts or coconut flakes for variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brigadeiro ball (a
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 40
- Fat: 4.5
- Saturated Fat: 2.5
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
Keywords: brigadeiros, Brazilian dessert, chocolate balls, sweet treats, easy dessert, homemade sweets, creamy chocolate