5-Ingredient Brigadeiro (Brazilian Chocolate Truffles)
Silky smooth with rich chocolate flavor and a garnish of chocolate sprinkles, these brigadeiro come together with just 5 ingredients and make for the perfect bite-sized treat!
What is Brigadeiro?
Brigadeiro (bree-gah-day-roh) is a Brazilian dessert similar to a soft and fudgy chocolate truffle. The origins of this sweet are uncertain, but a popular theory is that it was invented in Brazil after World War II. According to the story, brigadier Eduardo Gomes chose to run for president, and his wife created these sweets for his fundraisers. Due to wartime rationing, she used creative ingredients like condensed milk instead of more expensive alternatives. As a result, brigadeiro (named after brigadier Gomes) was born, surviving the decades as a popular Brazilian treat and evolving into several different flavor variations!
This dessert is really easy to make—just put all the ingredients in a saucepan and cook until it becomes a thick, almost dough-like consistency. Once the mixture cools, all you need to do is roll it into balls and toss them in sprinkles!
Ingredients in Brigadeiro
This recipe couldn’t be any simpler—the longest part of this recipe is letting the brigadeiro mixture cool, and only 10-20 minutes of active prep work is needed. Here’s what you’ll need to make them:
- Sweetened condensed milk.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Unsalted butter.
- Salt. To balance the sweetness.
- Vanilla (optional). I can’t resist adding a little dash of vanilla to enhance flavor!
- Chocolate sprinkles. For coating.
Tips and Tricks
- Sift your cocoa powder. If not, you’ll end up with a lumpy brigadeiro mixture.
- How to tell when the brigadeiro is done cooking. After mixing all the ingredients in a saucepan, you’ll need to cook the mixture to thicken it. Initially, it will be runny, similar to the consistency of sweetened condensed milk. Once on the stove, the brigadeiro will bubble and thicken. You’ll know it’s done cooking when you can run your spatula through the mixture without it coming back together for 2-3 seconds.
- How to shape brigadeiro. Even after cooling, the brigadeiro mixture is very sticky. To help with this, spray your hands with a bit of cooking oil. This way, when you portion out the brigadiero and roll them into balls, the sticky fudge won’t spread onto your hands.
How to Store Brigadeiro
- At room temperature. Store the brigadeiro in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
- In the fridge. Keep them in an airtight container for up to a week.
- In the freezer. Place them on a parchment-lined sheet in the freezer for an hour to firm up, then transfer to a plastic bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature before serving.
If you give this recipe a try, be sure to tag me on Instagram so I can see it! Hope you enjoy the recipe!
4-Ingredient Brigadeiro (Brazilian Chocolate Truffles)
Ingredients
- 1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- A pinch of salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract optional
Instructions
- Add the sweetened condensed milk and sifted cocoa powder to a large, nonstick saucepan and mix until well combined and homogenous.
- Place the saucepan onto medium-low heat and add the butter, salt, and vanilla. Stir until the butter has melted and it begins to bubble and thicken.
- Once you can pass your spatula through the batter without it running together for 1-2 seconds, remove the pan from the heat. Immediately scrape the fudge mixture onto a plate, then refrigerate for 1 hour to cool.
- Once cooled, remove the brigadeiro from the fridge. Lightly grease your hands with cooking spray or oil, then use a cookie scoop or spoon to evenly portion out the mixture (around 1.5 tablespoons each). Roll the brigadeiro into balls, then toss them into chocolate sprinkles until fully coated.
- Serve the brigadeiro immediately, or store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the fridge for a week.
