Brigadeiros: The Emblematic Brazilian Truffle Recipe
Brigadeiros are a type of chocolate truffle that are extremely popular in Brazil. They are typically prepared for children’s birthday parties and other special occasions. Luana Varandas had her first chocolate truffle as a 5-year-old – naturally, at a children’s party.
Some say that brigadeiros can even help ease the pain of a broken heart. The sweetness of the leite condensado (condensed milk) is not only a nice treat but very soothing.
Sweetened condensed milk
Sweetened condensed milk was invented more than 150 years ago. In present-day Brazil, it is an important ingredient in confections, such as dulce de leche and the famous brigadeiro.
Recipe: Emblematic Brazilian truffle
Ingredients
- 100 g cocoa powder
- 30 g unsalted butter
- 1 can (395 g) sweetened
- condensed milk
- sprinkles (grated chocolate or other coating for rolling)
- paper baking cups
Method
- In a small saucepan, mix together the sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder and butter.
- Heat the mixture in the saucepan over a medium-low heat until it thickens, stirring it constantly (this is important, otherwise it will burn!). It is thick enough when the mixture peels off the bottom of the saucepan when scraped and takes a while to move back into place – then your brigadeiro mixture is ready!
- Take the mixture off the stove and leave it to cool to room temperature.
- Pour your sprinkles onto a plate or bowl. When the brigadeiro mixture is cool, grease your hands with butter and roll the mixture into little balls (in Brazil we usually use half a tablespoon of mixture per brigadeiro, but you can make them as big or small as you like).
- Roll the balls in the sprinkles and place them in the paper baking cups.
The recipe makes 40 pieces and takes 30 minutes to prepare.