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Brigadeiro Recipe — The Best Chocolate Fudge Balls Ever

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Brigadeiro (plural Brigadeiros) is a chocolate fudge made with condensed milk, butter, and cocoa powder. It’s LOVE at first bite!

Brigadeiro candies on a table with a little flag on top

 

WHAT IS BRIGADEIRO?

Brigadeiro (Portuguese for Brigadier) is the most beloved ‘candy’ of Brazil. From north to south, it is a national passion!

It came into being in the 1940s and gets its name from Brigadier Eduardo Gomes, who once ran for president.

According to this brigadeiros article, it’s also know as ‘negrinho’. Some compare it to truffles or tootsie rolls, but it is different from both.

It’s usually rolled into balls which are then covered in chocolate sprinkles. However, you can also enjoy it unrolled with a spoon. 

Plus, use it as a topping or filling for cakes and cupcakes. In Brazil, no kid’s party is complete without it!

So satisfy your sweet tooth with these rich chocolate candy cups. 

HOW TO MAKE BRIGADEIRO

collage with 3 images showing how to make brigadeiro

For this traditional brigadeiro recipe, whisk the condensed milk and cocoa together until uniform. Then, stir in the butter.

(SEE FULL RECIPE BELOW – FOR BOTH STOVETOP AND MICROWAVE)

WHICH OTHER TREATS CAN YOU MAKE WITH BRIGADEIRO?

You can make cake, cupcakes,  brigadeiro cookies, and this triple brigadeiro cheesecake tart. 

Also, patriotic brigadeiros or those with other flavors such as pumpkin, strawberry, coconut, and beer.

If the cooked mixture is too soft to roll into fudge balls, the alternative is to serve brigadeiro piped onto spoons.

Moreover, you can serve it as fudge cups, to eat with small spoons, almost like a shot of dense pudding.

USEFUL TIPS TO GET BRIGADEIRO RIGHT THE FIRST TIME

1. Use a wider, no stick pan — those with aluminum bottoms work best. This will let it cook faster, saving you time. Take a look at the RECIPE VIDEO!

2. Cook over medium heat, avoiding burnt bits.

3. Whisk condensed milk with cocoa powder before starting to cook– for a mixture without lumps.

4. If making brigadeiro recipe in the summer time, use only 1 tbsp of butter; otherwise it’ll make harder to achieve the correct consistency. In the cold months, though, you can use 2 tbsp of butter and still roll it into balls with no problem. They will be tastier too!

5. If making a double batch at once, use a large, wider pan rather than a pot; otherwise it will take much longer to get it right. 

brigadeiro candies in a bowl with a little flag

HOW DO YOU STORE AND FOR HOW LONG?

Store brigadeiro in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days. Either store covered in the fridge for up to 4-7 days, or freeze in plastic bags for up to 30 days.

If frozen, bring them to room temp before serving them.

 

PIN & ENJOY

Close up image of a brigadeiro candy bitten

brigadeiro candies on a table with a little flag on top
5 from 36 votes
Print

Brigadeiro -- Brazilian chocolate fudge balls

Brigadeiro (or Brigadeiros) is a chocolate fudge made with condensed milk, butter, and cocoa powder. Our brigadeiro recipe is love at first bite! It comes with a video and step by step photos. 

Course Dessert
Cuisine Brazilian
Keyword brigadeiro, brigadeiro recipe
Prep Time 22 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 28
Calories 52 kcal
Author Denise Browning

Ingredients

  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14-ounce
  • 1/4 cup baking cocoa powder unsweetened
  • 1-2 tablespoon unsalted butter (softened) plus extra to grease plate and hands
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • Chocolate vermicelli or good quality chocolate sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Whisk the condensed milk and cocoa powder together until homogeneous (no lumps). Then, stir in the butter.

  2. Stove: Cook in a medium non-stick saucepan over medium heat (large burner), stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and starts to peel away/show the bottom of the pan when you scrape it with your wood spoon (about 5-8 minutes). 

  3. Microwave: Pour mixture into a deep microwaveable bowl. If 900 watts, let cook on full power for about 6 minutes -- removing and stirring at least every 2 minutes, or until thick enough to be rolled (when it cools down, mixture will be thicker). 

  4. While it is cooking, do not leave the microwave unattended because mixture will rise and possibly bubble over, making a mess. Every time it rises, pause until mixture settles back down. If 1100 watts, cook at 80 % power. Double batches take more time to cook

  5. When brigadeiro is ready, remove either from the stove top or microwave, mix in the vanilla extract and spread mixture onto a greased plate.

  6. Let cool to room temp before starting to roll them into balls with greased hands. Use a 1/2 ( or 1 ) tbsp as measurement. 

  7. Then, dredge gently in the chocolate sprinkles until totally covered, and place into paper bonbon cups.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

  • Store brigadeiro/brigadeiros (Brazilian chocolate fudge balls) in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They can be also stored, covered well, in the refrigerator for up to 4-7 days, or frozen in ziploc bags for up to 30 days. 
  • If making brigadeiro recipe in the summer time, use only 1 tbsp of butter; otherwise it’ll make harder to achieve the correct consistency. In the cold months, though, you can use 2 tbsp of butter and still roll it into balls with no problem. They will be tastier too!
  • ALTERNATIVE: If you don't get the right consistency and the cooked mixture is so soft that cannot be rolled into balls, the alternative is to serve brigadeiros piped on spoons or into shot glasses/cups to be eaten with small spoons almost like a shot of pudding-- like we do in Brazil. 
  • Love brigadeiro(s)? Try also our Brigadeiro Cookies and also our Triple Brigadeiro Tart.
Nutrition Facts
Brigadeiro -- Brazilian chocolate fudge balls
Amount Per Serving
Calories 52 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 5mg 2%
Sodium 18mg 1%
Potassium 64mg 2%
Total Carbohydrates 8g 3%
Sugars 7g
Protein 1g 2%
Vitamin A 1%
Vitamin C 0.4%
Calcium 4.1%
Iron 0.7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

 

 

 

 

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Comments

  2. Cheryl

    August 29, 2017 at 8:47 pm

    Very easy to make and are absolutely delicious. I recommend having enough ingredients on hand to make a double batch …..I made them for dessert for a dinner party but had to make another batch because I could not keep MY family away from them!!

    Reply

    • Denise Browning

      August 30, 2017 at 2:09 pm

      So glad to hear it, Cheryl!!!! It is a true family favorite — my hubby and kids go crazy every time I make these.
      Enjoy and have a marvelous day!!!

      Reply

  4. Marcia

    October 3, 2017 at 5:22 pm

    Olha estou apaixonada por este site Receitas deliciosa estou preparando minhas receitas que peguei deste site Esta de parabéns o site muito bem explicado Obrigado por compartilhar estas delicias….

    Reply

  18. Donna Ross

    January 31, 2018 at 12:22 am

    Since consistency seems to be the
    main problem for most people when making this candy, can the mixture be tested
    in water? Perhap it is:, “soft ball” when you are able to pick mixture up..

    Reply

    • Denise Browning

      January 31, 2018 at 8:47 am

      Hi, Donna! I have never tested the consistency that way but it does not hurt to try. If you follow all the tips from my cooking video, you are able to make this right at first. If you take a look at my You Tube channel, there is one comment from a lady that made a 300-batch of these (actually, according to her 2 children made the batch right at the very first time just by following my tips). I am telling, the tips guarantee success and you wont find anywhere else.

      Reply

  20. Cursos Na Nete

    February 19, 2018 at 1:13 pm

    Ola, fiquei imprecionado com o que aprende no seu site e já comentei com
    com minha esposa para ficar lendo suas dica e aprender mais como você muito
    obrigado amigo .

    Reply

  23. Curso Doce Gourmet

    March 26, 2018 at 10:59 pm


    Bom sou suspeito a falar do assunto, amo brigadeiro.
    Achei ótimas suas dicas, está de parabéns pelo post e obrigado por compartilhar.

    Reply

  24. Beatriz

    April 16, 2018 at 10:16 pm


    Sou chocolatra de carteirinha,sou realmente viciada em BRIGADEIRO e amo dicas de receitas sobre eles❤️ amei seu blog e esse artigo então me conquistou.

    Reply

  33. Curso de Brigadeiros Gourmet

    July 12, 2018 at 4:53 pm


    The brigadiers are one of the most delicious gourmet sweets in Brazil, including it is very common to have several courses of brigadiers Goumet that help those who want to undertake making brigadiers gourmet to sell.

    I loved the tips of your site!

    Reply

    • Denise Browning

      December 4, 2018 at 9:23 am

      Hi, Beti! Yes, you can double the recipe, no problem.
      In this case, just be sure to use only 1 TBSP butter for each can of sweetened condensed milk. In addition, use a wider pan instead of a tall one; otherwise it will take much longer for them to cook.
      If it is your first time making brigadeiros, follow the tips in my video to achieve the correct consistency. The consistency is the key to getting the “dough” to roll into balls without problems. If you have any other questions, I will be happy to answer.

      Reply

  39. JB

    January 16, 2019 at 1:38 am


    These are completely addictive! They just fly off the plate until no more are left. Your method for making these is so easy– nice that you have a video showing the process.

    Reply

  44. Elder

    May 21, 2019 at 4:40 am


    Oi Denise! I am Brazilian but I live in Florida and have been trying several of your recipes. Your brigadeiro recipe is the best. I can get the consistency right every single time thanks to your tips. Cooking our food makes me not miss Brazil so much. Have a great week!

    Reply

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