Chocolate brigadeiros are Brazilian sweets made with only 4 ingredients: sweetened condensed milk, dark chocolate, butter and chocolate sprinkles. They can also be made with unsweetened cocoa powder instead of dark chocolate, but the version I propose today is my favorite. I really like them and, like the Ricotta and cocoa balls, they are the sweets I make most often. There are probably many other versions that are equally good and worth trying.
In Brazil brigadeiros are very popular and are prepared for many occasions. They are small, soft and irresistible—one is never enough. The preparation is really simple and does not require special tools: just a saucepan and about 10 minutes to cook the mixture and let it thicken.
Once the mixture is ready, let it cool, shape balls with your hands and roll them in chocolate sprinkles for that classic indulgent coating. If you like experimenting, you can also roll them in chopped hazelnuts, shredded coconut or granulated sugar to create different variations.
They are perfect to serve after a meal, as a tasty afternoon snack, or when you want an easy and quick sweet without turning on the oven. Making them is also a lot of fun, so you can involve children in shaping the balls and decorating them. In a short time you’ll have simple but truly delicious sweets on the table.
Other small-sweet recipes you might like:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Medium
- Rest time: 2 Hours
- Preparation time: 30 Minutes
- Cooking time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 20Pieces
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Brazilian
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients for Chocolate Brigadeiros
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 5.3 oz dark chocolate
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- as needed chocolate sprinkles (about 2 oz)
- as needed butter
Preparation CHOCOLATE BRIGADEIRO
Pour the sweetened condensed milk into a small saucepan, add the chocolate and the butter.
Place the pan over low heat and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring continuously. You will notice the mixture is ready when it starts to pull away from the sides of the pan—following the spoon you are using to stir—forming almost a single mass.
Remove from the heat and pour the mixture into a bowl lightly greased with a little butter. Cover the mixture with a sheet of parchment paper and let it cool, then place it in the refrigerator for about 2 hours so the mixture firms up and can be handled with your hands.
After the resting time, place the chocolate sprinkles in a small bowl.
Grease your hands with a little butter.
With the mixture now cold, form balls the size of a walnut (about 3/4 oz) and roll them in the sprinkles applying light pressure so the sprinkles adhere well to the brigadeiros.
Arrange your dark chocolate brigadeiros in a container with a lid (for a nicer presentation use paper cups) and place them in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving.
You can watch on YouTube the → video of CHOCOLATE BRIGADEIROS
Notes
If you enjoyed this recipe you might also be interested in the Chocolate Bundt Cake (with milk chocolate) or the Coconut and chocolate Bundt Cake or the Chocolate coffee with whipped cream.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
What are chocolate brigadeiros?
Brigadeiros are small Brazilian sweets made with sweetened condensed milk, dark chocolate, butter and chocolate sprinkles. They have a soft, creamy texture and are very common at parties and birthdays.
Can I use cocoa powder instead of dark chocolate?
Yes, brigadeiros can also be made with unsweetened cocoa powder instead of dark chocolate. The taste will be slightly different but still very delicious.
How long do brigadeiros keep?
Brigadeiros keep for about 3-4 days in the refrigerator if stored in an airtight container. Before serving, it’s best to let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes.
Can brigadeiros be frozen?
Yes, it’s possible to freeze them. Just arrange them in a freezer-safe container and thaw slowly in the refrigerator before eating.
What else can I use to cover brigadeiros besides chocolate sprinkles?
Besides the classic sprinkles, you can roll them in chopped hazelnuts, shredded coconut, unsweetened cocoa powder or granulated sugar to create different variations.
How do I know when the mixture is ready?
The mixture is ready when it becomes thicker and easily pulls away from the sides of the pan while you stir. At that point, let it cool before forming the balls.
