No Brazilian birthday without brigadeiro. These small chocolate truffles are Brazil's favorite sweet – and the best part: they consist of only three ingredients and are ready in 20 minutes. Once tried, always loved.
What is brigadeiro?
Brigadeiro was invented in Brazil in the 1940s – named after Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes, an Air Force officer who ran for president. His supporters sold the sweets to fund his campaign. The name stuck – and so did the sweet.
Today, a Brazilian celebration wouldn't be complete without brigadeiro: whether it's a child's birthday, a wedding, or a family gathering – these little balls are simply a must. In Brazil, there are even specialized brigadeiro cafés offering dozens of flavors. In Germany, the sweet is still an insider tip – but once you've tried it, you'll be instantly hooked.
Ingredients for approx. 25 pieces
- 1 can of sweetened condensed milk (approx. 370–395 g)
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- 1 tbsp butter
- Chocolate sprinkles for coating
Preparation
- Cooking: Combine condensed milk, cocoa powder, and butter in a saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly.
- Stirring: Stir for approx. 10–15 minutes until the mixture thickens and pulls away from the bottom of the pan. The test: drag a spoon through the mixture – the trail should remain visible for a moment.
- Cooling: Transfer the mixture to a greased bowl and let it cool completely (at least 1 hour, or overnight in the refrigerator for best results).
- Shaping: With greased hands, form into small balls (approx. 2 cm) and roll in chocolate sprinkles.
- Serving: Place in small paper cups and serve at room temperature.
- Beijinho – without cocoa, instead made with desiccated coconut in the mixture and on the outside. The coconut version.
- Cajuzinho – with ground peanuts, rolled into a cashew shape.
- Brigadeiro Branco – with white chocolate instead of cocoa.
- Gourmet Brigadeiro – with real couverture chocolate instead of cocoa powder for a more intense aroma.
- Always stir – never leave it unattended, or the mixture will burn.
- The longer you cook it, the firmer the balls will be. Take it off the heat a little earlier for softer brigadeiros.
- Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Variations
Craving more Brazilian specialties? Discover our Brazilian tasting boxes – perfect for gifting or for discovering them yourself.
Tips
Brigadeiro in Germany
Brazilian sweets like brigadeiro are still rarely found in Germany – but that is changing. More and more people are discovering the diversity of Brazilian cuisine: fruity, chocolatey, creamy, and full of character. If you are looking for the ingredients for authentic Brazilian recipes, you will find a large selection of Brazilian sweets and groceries with us – delivered directly to your door.
Cover image: AI-generated image for illustration purposes.
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