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.
Thamires says
I cant wait try this recipe is realy yummy
Denise Browning says
Enjoy. So good!
Emily says
Wow, that sucks, these brigadier. I can not wait to do it, it seems easy and very tasty. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.
mimi rippee says
I'm so excited to see these! My girlfriend has a friend from Brazil, and once she brought these over. So I know how good these are - and addicting!!!
Karly says
Yum! I can't wait to make this!
Denise Browning says
Thank you! Enjoy them, a log-time fave treat of mine.
2pots2cook says
Sweet Heavens ! Have seen these on Instagram ! Definitely will make 🙂 🙂 🙂
Denise Browning says
Thank you. It is one of my childhood's fave treats.
John / Kitchen Riffs says
Such a great recipe! Glad you "made" these again. 🙂
Denise Browning says
Thank you. We refreshed the post and republished an oldie but goodie recipe.
Elder says
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!
Martha Jesus says
Brigadeiro. So delicious. Love it!
Denise Browning says
Thank you! Enjoy!
valdilene says
I love brigadeiro. Congratulations skin recipe I'm going to do today.
francieli says
Sou brasileira e amo seus posts! I Love Brigadeiros! BJSSSS 🙂
Denise Browning says
Obrigada Francieli! Um abraco pra voce.
Roberta Escarlati says
how delicious ! i'll do it at home
Denise Browning says
Thank Roberta! Enjoy these childhood treats. My favorite!
JB says
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.
beti says
Hi!
Does the recipe work well if i double it?
I am planning on making them for a Christmas party
Denise Browning says
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.
bolo de pote para vender says
Impossible not to love brigadeiro, congratulations for the post!
Curso Doce Gourmet says
Adorei seu post. Sou brasileira e realmente os brigadeiros são nossa paixão.
dieta de 21 dias says
only sweet, delicious, parabens,
pam says
Impossible not to love brigadeiro, congratulations for the post!
Curso de Brigadeiros Gourmet says
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!
Curso de confeitaria says
Adoro brigadeiro, seu post é sensasional com ótimas dicas.
Silvia Martinez says
How easy and delicious is this! I have three chocolate lovers at home, this is perfect for them.