Brigadeiro (plural Brigadeiros) is a chocolate fudge made with condensed milk, butter, and cocoa powder. It’s LOVE at first bite!
Table of Contents
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
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)
WHAT 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 tablespoon of butter; otherwise it’ll make harder to achieve the correct consistency. In the cold months, though, you can use 2 tablespoon 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.
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
Brigadeiro -- Brazilian chocolate fudge balls
Ingredients
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk or 1 can (396 grams)
- 2 tablespoon baking cocoa powder unsweetened ( you may use ¼ cup instead for a richer treat)
- ½ tablespoon unsalted butter (softened) plus extra to grease plate and hands
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract OPTIONAL
- Chocolate vermicelli or good quality chocolate sprinkles
Instructions
- Whisk the condensed milk and cocoa powder together until homogeneous (no lumps). Then, stir in the butter.
- Stovetop: 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).
- 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).
- 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
- When brigadeiro is ready, remove either from the stove top or microwave, mix in the vanilla extract and spread mixture onto a greased plate.
- Let cool to room temp before starting to roll them into balls with greased hands. Use a ½ ( or 1 ) tablespoon as measurement.
- 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 tablespoon of butter; otherwise it’ll make harder to achieve the correct consistency. In the cold months, though, you can use 2 tablespoon 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
** Nutrition labels on easyanddelish.com are for educational purposes only. This info is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate, since the nutrition content of recipes can vary based on ingredient brand or source, portion sizes, recipe changes/variations, and other factors. We suggest making your own calculations using your preferred calculator, based on which ingredients you use, or consulting with a registered dietitian to determine nutritional values more precisely.
Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimen, or for any other issue necessitating medical advice.
Ale says
I have to try them, never had them before. Great recipe, thanks for sharing.
Tiffany says
The brazilians know their stuff! these brigadeiros are a food of the gods!
Enriqueta Lemoine says
I live brigadeiros and your look superb! I'm saving this recipe!
best,
Enri
Maria says
Loved the recipe! I will for sure make this at home tonight
Suzana Souza says
Love love love!!!!
Dharttannha says
Muito bom esses brigadeiros, é incrível como um doce tão simples poder ter tantas variedades.
Beatriz says
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.
Curso Doce Gourmet says
Bom sou suspeito a falar do assunto, amo brigadeiro.
Achei ótimas suas dicas, está de parabéns pelo post e obrigado por compartilhar.
Netho Santos says
Muito bom, gostei do artigo! bem explicativo
Roberto says
Brigadeiros simples e divino! Adoro seus posts acompanho sempre!
Cursos Na Nete says
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 .
Raquel says
Muito legal seu site, receitas incríveis, bom e sou leiga a falar pois amo chocolate.
obrigada!!!
Donna Ross says
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..
Denise Browning says
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.
Leila says
Amo muito essa receita de brigadeiro! Adoreiiii!
Valéria says
Sou apaixonada por brigadeiro. Muito esse artigo
raquel says
I loved the recipe thanks for sharing to be a delight.
Rodolfo says
Menos Guerra, Mais Brigadeiro! Não tem como não ficar babando! Amo brigadeiro
Mel says
Congratulations, Here in Brazil, the brasilians love it. The brigadeiros gourmet is the best.
Thanks for charing.
Luciana says
Nossa amo brigadeiro .. Belo artigo deu agua na boca ..
Dolores Cardoso says
I love Brigadiers. I'm from Brazil and I loved your article. Congratulations!