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Brigadeiros (Brazilian Fudge Balls)

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brigadeiros (2 of 3)

After a month off in December, Group D of the Secret Recipe Club is back for January! For those who haven’t seen my previous Secret Recipe Club posts, this club includes a group of bloggers who are assigned a different blog each month and secretly make a recipe to post on their specified reveal day. I look forward to my assignment email every month and discovering new blogs. It is also fun to see what someone chooses from your blog.

This month, I was assigned Bewitching Kitchen. The author, Sally, was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil. She has also spent time in California and Paris before settling into her current Manhattan, Kansas working with the Biochemistry Department of Kansas State University. In addition to her job and cooking, she is quite active! Hobbies include golf, running, and P90X. She has quite an amazing variety of recipes available. Since my blog is quite lacking in South American recipes, I wanted to choose one of Sally’s many Brazilian dishes. I picked one that has been on my bucket list for quite a while, Brigadeiros. Other great recipes I have pinned for later include: Pasteis, Carrot Nib Orzo, Cocada de Forno, Korean Barbeque Burger, Shrimp Moqueca, Oeufs a la Neige, Canja de Galinha, Tlayuda, Coconut Brigadeiros, and Mangos Flambe.

brigadeiros (1 of 3)

The Brigadeiro was created in Brazil in the 1940s and named after Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes. They have since become one of the most well known Brazilian treats and are especially popular at birthday parties and other celebrations. It is traditional to arrange them around the cake. They would also make a perfect addition to your Valentine’s Day meal.

Brigadeiros come together easily using only condensed milk, butter, cocoa powder, an optional pinch of cinnamon, and chocolate sprinkles. The trick is to cook them to just the right consistency, similar to fudge. You want the condensed milk to become thickened enough to hold their shape so the balls can be rolled in sprinkles. You can tell when the mixture has reached this point by sliding a wooden spoon through the mixture on the stove and it continues to stay parted. They can be made up to about 4 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve (good luck letting them last that long!).

brigadeiros (3 of 3)

Brigadeiros (Brazilian Fudge Balls)
Adapted from Bewitching Kitchen
~20 fudge balls

14 ounces condensed milk
1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
pinch cinnamon
Chocolate sprinkles for coating (~1/2 cup)

In a medium saucepan, combine condensed milk, butter, cocoa powder, and cinnamon over medium heat. Stir often until butter is melted and the mixture is smooth.

Reduce heat to low and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and pulling from the bottom of the pan, 10-17 minutes. Allow to cool until room temperature or chill in the refrigerator.

Fill a small bowl with cold water. Fill another small bowl with chocolate sprinkles.

Wet your hands and roll about a 1/2 tablespoon size of chocolate into a ball. Coat in chocolate sprinkles and place in a mini paper cup. Repeat with remaining chocolate. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.


Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. sallybr

    Wonderful post!!!!! i love the photo of the brigadeiro half eaten, it showed so well its creamy texture! made me crave one right now before going to bed. 😉

    thanks for the write-up too…..

    Have a wonderful Reveal Monday!

    Reply

    • Tara

      Thanks! It was an amazing recipe! Can’t believe it took me so long to make these. Loved browsing your blog this month!

      Reply

  30. jessica

    Brazil really is a wonderful country, and Brigadier is present at any party especially of children who are in love with this candy.

    Reply

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