My oldest son served a church mission in Florianopolis, Brazil, so we have several Brazilian foods we have grown to love. Among our top favorites have to be these little gems. They are chocolate heaven in a bite, and are easy and fun to make. You can get your kiddos on board with rolling the chocolate into balls and then rolling them in the jimmies. My oldest daughter made these at least once a week at college for their game nights. She said that as soon as she had one rolled and ready, the last one she did was already eaten! She couldn't get enough on a plate before they disappeared because they were loved so much. I think your family will love them too!
Brazilian Brigadeiros
Makes 1 1/2 dozen
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Chocolate jimmies (or any sprinkle of choice)
Small paper cups for serving
In a small saucepan, pour the entire can of sweetened condensed milk and add the butter. Add the cocoa powder and salt. Turn heat to medium-low and whisk to combine all ingredients. Bring the mixture to a low simmer; cook while stirring with a rubber spatula for 5-10 minutes, or until thickened and it leaves a clear streak on bottom of pan when scraped with spatula. Pour mixture onto a silicone mat or parchment paper. Cool to room temperature. Rub a little butter on your hands (or spray your hands with nonstick spray) and then roll into small balls (1 tablespoon size - a mini cookie scoop works great). Roll in the jimmies to cover. Place in candy paper liners for serving.
*Optional: You can store them in the refrigerator if you like them a little firmer and cold....which we do in the summer!
Step-by-step tutorial:
Gather your ingredients. You will need sweetened condensed milk, butter, cocoa powder, salt, and jimmies or chocolate sprinkles.
In a saucepan, pour in the entire can of sweetened condensed milk. Add 4 tablespoons of butter and 4 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder.
Add 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook over medium low heat, bringing the mixture to a low simmer, stirring constantly with a spatula. Cook for about 5-10 minutes or until thickened and the spatula can scrape a clear streak on the bottom of the pan. Pour the mixture onto a silicone mat or parchment paper. Do not taste yet.....though you will be tempted. It is very hot!
Spread out into an even layer and cool to room temperature. It can still be a little warm, but you need it cool enough to work with it with your hands.
Get tablespoon portions (I use a mini cookie scoop)......
.....and roll into balls with buttered hands. We use nonstick spray on our hands to keep them from sticking.
Roll the balls in the chocolate jimmies or other sprinkles of choice....
......until completely coated. Place in paper candy cups for serving.
Just try to keep these on a plate for longer than an afternoon. They will disappear as fast as you make them!
Brigadeiros are a fun and easy treat to make and take to get togethers. You will be amazed at how fast they come together, in fact, so much that you may make them any time you need a chocolate fix!
Recipe Source: Recipe from my son Douglas