Brigadeiro Recipe - Brazilian Fudge Balls (2024)

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This brigadeiro recipe is so easy to make and so worth knowing! All you need are just 3 simple ingredients and this Brazilian candy goodness will be ready in no time to satisfy all your sweet cravings!

More brigadeiro recipes to try: Brigadeiro Cake Recipe / Brazilian Chocolate Cake with Brigadeiro Frosting / Brazilian Hot Chocolate

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What is brigadeiro

Oi Gente!!

Brigadeiro (bree-gah-day-ro) is one of the most classic Brazilian desserts. So classic and so Brazilian, it’s safe to say it’s part of the Brazilian DNA. True facts!

These little chocolate caramels are possibly THE most known, most popular and most loved Brazilian party treat. Ask any Brazilian and they’ll confirm… Brigadeiros are like a Brazilian chocolaty treasure, so sweet and so gooey, it’s impossible not to love.

This simple dessert is made with just a handful of ingredients, mainly condensed milk and chocolate powder – you know, the kind you add to milk like Nesquik, or Nescau, widely used in Brazil. You can definitely make brigadeiro with cocoa powder too, but there’s a slightly different process and recipe for it, especially when we want to roll it into little balls. I’ll get to that on another post.

More Brazilian sweets to try: Beijinho de Coco – Brazilian Coconut Balls Recipe

Ways to enjoy a delicious brigadeiro

Sometimes it’s left as a caramel-like ‘sauce’ that we just eat with a spoon, dip fruits in (hello brigadeiro dipped strawberries!!), make brigadeiro cake (with brigadeiro as a cake filling, or drizzled all over the top – OR BOTH!)…

And, of course, sometimes we roll it into these cute little bite size balls, that we cover in sprinkles. These little brigadeiro balls are essentially like Brazilian bonbons, and some people also call them Brazilian chocolate truffles, or Brazilian fudge balls.

Add sprinkles

We traditionally use chocolate sprinkles, but the beauty of these little festive treats is that you can dress them any which way you want – just add different color sprinkles, and candy cups to match!

They look super cute in pink, white, red for Valentines Day. Or red, white, green for Christmas. Pastel nonpareils for Easter. Your favorite team’s colors. Rainbow sprinkles for fun birthday… seriously, the possibilities are endless!

And if you put them in a pretty box, they make a perfect little gift too.

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Brigadeiro ingredients

These are the 3 ingredients you’ll need for this easy brigadeiro recipe:

  • Sweet condensed milk
  • Chocolate powder – you know, the kind you add to milk like Nesquik, or Nescau, widely used in Brazil.
  • Sprinkles – brigadeiro without sprinkles should be considered a crime!

This sweet treat is so easy to make, I’ve been making it since I was a kid.

The recipe is extremely simple, but there are a few little tricks you need to know to ensure your brigadeiro balls come out perfect every time. Check out the deets below!

How to make brigadeiro

  1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan

    And cook over medium heat.

  2. Stir and scrape, stir and scrape, stir and scrape!!

    Repeat after me… stir and scrape!!

    This is likely the most important advice I can give you. Stirring and scraping during the cooking process, will ensure the brigadeiro doesn’t burn AND that no lumps form. The brigadeiro is ready when you scrape the bottom of the pan and it takes 2-3 seconds for all that gooey mixture to come back to its place, or when the mixture reaches 205F-208F. You can use a candy thermometer, or just a regular food thermometer to check.

    Brigadeiro Recipe - Brazilian Fudge Balls (5)

  3. Let it cool

    Pour the hot brigadeiro in a plate and let it cool until it’s cool to touch. At that point, you can cover the dish with kitchen wrap to refrigerate and roll later, or you can roll now.

  4. Roll into balls

    Lightly butter your hands, and scoop 1/2 Tbsp to Tbsp size portions and roll little balls – like this!
    Brigadeiro Recipe - Brazilian Fudge Balls (6)

  5. Cover in sprinkles!!

    Ta-da!! You’re so close. Just roll the little balls in your sprinkles or nonpareil colors of choice and pronto, you are done! You can serve them on a dish, or put them in small little candy cups like the ones below.

    Brigadeiro Recipe - Brazilian Fudge Balls (7)

If brigadeiros weren’t already part of your life, prepare yourself. These little 3-ingredient fudgy chocolaty goodness are about to become your new favorite party sweet, like ever!

Seriously, your birthday parties, dinner parties, or any other party you can imagine will never be the same. And that’s a wonderful thing!

Try it, and let me know how you like them!

Bom Apetite!

Beijinhos

xoxox

More brigadeiro recipes you’ll love:

  • Brazilian Chocolate Cake with Brigadeiro Frosting
  • Brazilian Hot Chocolate

Other Brazilian Desserts:

  • Brazilian Carrot Cake
  • Brazilian Tapioca Pudding
  • Pavê – Brazilian No Bake Chocolate Pie

Brigadeiro Recipe - Brazilian Fudge Balls (8)

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4.95 from 53 votes

BRIGADEIRO RECIPE | BRAZILIAN FUDGE BALLS

Brigadeiro is one of the most classic Brazilian desserts and party treat. This simple recipe is ready in no time and will satisfy all your sweet cravings!

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cooling Time: 2 hours hours

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 16 brigadeiros

Author: Aline Shaw

Ingredients

  • 1x 14oz can of sweet condensed milk
  • 1/2 cup chocolate powder, such as Nescau or Nesquik
  • 1 Tbsp margarine or butter (plus more for hands)
  • Sprinkles

Instructions

  • Add the condensed milk, the butter, and the chocolate powder to a medium saucepan and stir.

  • Cook over medium heat, for approximately 10 minutes, stirring repeatedly and scraping the sides and the bottom of the pan with a spatula to avoid burning.

  • The brigadeiro is ready when you scrape the bottom of the pan, and the brigadeiro takes 2-3 seconds to come back to its place, or when the mixture reaches 205F-208F – You can use a candy thermometer, or just a regular food thermometer to check.

  • Pour the hot brigadeiro into a dish or a plate, and let it cool – about 2 hours.

  • Meanwhile, pour sprinkles in a deep plate or bowl.

  • When the brigadeiro is cooled, butter your hands, and scoop 1/2 Tbsp to Tbsp portions and roll little balls.

  • Roll the little balls in the sprinkles.

  • Keep them in a cool place or in the refrigerator until serving time.

Bom Apetite!!

    Did you make this recipe? Show me how it turned out! Snap a photo and share with me on Instagram tagging @aline_shaw!

    Video

    Brigadeiro Recipe - Brazilian Fudge Balls (2024)

    FAQs

    What is Brazilian brigadeiros made of? ›

    It is made of condensed milk, cocoa powder, butter, and chocolate sprinkles covering the outside layer. It is a popular confection throughout the country, especially for festive events.

    What does brigadeiro mean in english? ›

    Translation of brigadeiro – Portuguese–English dictionary

    brigadier [noun] in the army, the commander of a brigade.

    What is the difference between a truffle and a brigadeiro? ›

    What is the difference between a truffle and a brigadeiro? Brigadeiros are unique in that they are made with sweetened condensed milk. They also do not have a hard chocolate coating, unlike truffles. They are soft in and out, and rolled in toppings.

    What is the national dessert of Brazil? ›

    The national dessert of Brazil is brigadeiro, a small chocolate truffle-like sweet that is very popular throughout the country. Brigadeiro is made from sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder, butter, and chocolate sprinkles. It is usually rolled into small balls and then covered in the sprinkles.

    Why do Brazilians eat brigadeiros? ›

    A Brazilian Confection. Stoica explains their popularity saying that Brazilians love brigadeiros because they're sweet, beautiful, and easy to eat wherever you are. She goes on to explain, “They're also an essential addition to any celebration or party.

    How long does brigadeiro last? ›

    If you're saving some for later, ensure they are refrigerated, best consumed within 12 days.

    What is a fun fact about brigadeiros? ›

    In 1946, it's alleged that women made and sold brigadeiros at rallies for the Brazilian politician and Air Force Brigadier, Eduardo Gomes, who was running for President. Unfortunately he didn't win the Presidency, but his famous and favorite chocolate balls became an integral part of Brazil's sweet history!

    What is the most popular chocolate in Brazil? ›

    The most popular types of chocolate in Brazil are milk chocolate, bonbons and truffles (preferred milk chocolate by 81% of people) while white chocolate (67 %) comes in second. In fact, Brazil is one of the largest markets for white chocolate in the world.

    Why is my brigadeiros sticky? ›

    Don't worry - the Brigadeiros will still taste amazing even if the texture isn't perfect on the first try! Why are my Brigadeiros sticky? Brigadeiros are intentionally sticky due to their main ingredient - sweetened condensed milk. Condensed milk is regular milk cooked down until very sweet and thick.

    What is the difference between ganache and brigadeiro? ›

    Ganache is a bit softer, whereas a fudge is a bit harder, and a brigadeiro is a bit of both. , a chocolaterie based in Sydney's northern beaches of Manly that specialises in making brigadeiro, Cardoso recalls growing up in Goiania in central Brazil and eating them by the dozen at birthday parties when she was a child.

    What is Brazil's national breakfast? ›

    The one breakfast item that Brazilians may be most proud of is a classic cheese bread called pão de queijo. This delicious breakfast food is unlike any cheese bread you've had before.

    Are brigadeiros from Portugal or Brazil? ›

    Brigadeiros are a Brazilian delicacy that have also become a popular treat in Portugal because of their sweet deliciousness and the ease with which they can be prepared. They are a brilliant party treat - you can use different coatings to prepare a colourful plate and provide different textures and levels of sweetness.

    What Flavour is brigadeiro? ›

    Brigadeiros are amazing brazilian candies, which can be made into many flavors, but we will talk today about the traditional chocolate flavor one! They are little balls of goodness that kind of taste like chocolate caramels, but better! Definitely one of my favorite sweets!

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