Chocolate sprinkles and a soft, fudgy centre give Brigadeiros their signature look and texture, making them a favourite at celebrations across Brazil.
I first tasted Brigadeiros when my husband brought a couple home from work after one of his colleagues shared them at the office. These Brigadeiros are a popular Brazilian sweet with a soft, fudgy texture.
Since my husband isn’t a big chocolate lover, he preferred the Beijinhos. I, on the other hand, preferred the Brigadeiros.
They were exactly the sort of sweet I enjoy because they’re rich, chocolatey, and coated in chocolate sprinkles. That’s why I decided to try making them myself using Denise’s recipe from From Brazil to You.
They’re one of Brazil’s most recognisable treats and are commonly served at celebrations and special occasions. If you’ve never tried Brigadeiros before, they’re a great introduction to one of Brazil’s most popular sweets.
Reasons to Make Brazilian Chocolate Truffles
- Bite-sized portions make them easy to serve at parties, celebrations, and family gatherings.
- Chocolate sprinkles add a decorative finish without requiring piping or detailed decorating skills.
- Fudgy texture creates a different experience from cookies, cakes, and brownies.
Key Ingredients for Brigadeiros
Condensed Milk
Condensed milk gives Brigadeiros their sweetness and signature fudgy texture. It creates the smooth, creamy consistency that these chocolate treats are known for.
Cocoa Powder
Cocoa powder provides the rich chocolate flavour and deep colour. Unsweetened cocoa powder gives a fuller chocolate taste and balances the sweetness of the condensed milk.
Unsalted Butter
Butter adds richness and contributes to the smooth texture. It helps create a softer, creamier finish without making the mixture heavy.
Chocolate Sprinkles
Chocolate sprinkles provide the traditional coating and a slight textural contrast to the soft centre. Chocolate sprinkles made with cocoa tend to have a richer flavour than standard sugar-based varieties.
Find the complete list with measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Make Brigadeiros
Step 1: Mix the condensed milk, cocoa powder, and butter in a pot.
Step 2: Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and leaves the bottom of the pan visible for 2–3 seconds when you run a wooden spoon through it.
Step 3: Stir in the vanilla extract, then spread the mixture onto a greased plate and let it cool to room temperature.
Step 4: Lightly grease your hands, then roll the mixture into small balls.
Step 5: Coat each ball in chocolate sprinkles until completely covered, then place them in bonbon paper cups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, salted butter can be used if that’s what you have on hand. It may add a slight savoury note to the finished sweets.
Brigadeiros can be filled with ingredients such as dulce de leche, Nutella, chocolate ganache, peanut butter, caramel, or small pieces of chocolate. Add the filling while shaping the Brigadeiros, then seal the mixture around it before rolling and coating.
Roll the Brigadeiros in the chocolate sprinkles immediately after shaping them. Gently press the sprinkles onto the surface as you roll to help them adhere evenly and create a complete coating.
Yes, different types of chocolate sprinkles can be used to change the flavour slightly. Dark, milk, or mixed chocolate sprinkles all work well with the fudgy centre.
Extra Help from the Kitchen
Sift the Cocoa Powder – Sift the cocoa powder before mixing to remove any lumps and help it blend evenly into the condensed milk. This creates a smoother mixture and a more uniform texture throughout.
Choose a Heavy-Bottomed Pot – Use a heavy-bottomed pot to distribute heat more evenly during cooking. This helps the mixture thicken at a consistent rate and reduces the risk of scorching.
Test a Small Portion First – Place a small spoonful of the chocolate mixture on a plate and let it cool briefly if you’re unsure whether it has cooked long enough. It should hold its shape and have a fudgy consistency rather than spreading.
Use Fresh Cocoa Powder – Check that the cocoa powder is fresh before starting, as older cocoa can lose some of its flavour and colour. Fresh cocoa gives the Brigadeiros a richer chocolate taste.
Variations and Twists
Roll in Toasted Coconut – Replace the chocolate sprinkles with toasted shredded coconut for a coconut-flavoured coating. It adds a slight chewiness and a subtle contrast to the fudgy centre.
Coat with Chopped Nuts – Roll the Brigadeiros in finely chopped hazelnuts, almonds, or pistachios instead of sprinkles. The nuts add crunch and a different texture to the finished sweets.
Use Grated Chocolate – Coat the Brigadeiros in finely grated chocolate for an extra layer of chocolate flavour. Dark chocolate creates a richer finish, while milk chocolate gives a sweeter result.
Add Espresso Powder – Stir a small pinch of instant espresso powder into the mixture with the cocoa powder. The coffee enhances the chocolate flavour and adds extra depth.
Mix in Dark Chocolate – Add a small amount of finely chopped dark chocolate while cooking the mixture. It melts into the mixture and gives the Brigadeiros a richer chocolate taste.
Storage and Shelf Life
Store finished Brigadeiros in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, place the cooked mixture in a well-covered container and refrigerate it for up to 4 days.
Allow the mixture to return to room temperature before rolling it into balls and coating with chocolate sprinkles.
If you’d like to store finished Brigadeiros for an extended period, place them in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or let them sit at room temperature for 30–45 minutes before serving. Brigadeiros are best enjoyed at room temperature for a softer, fudgier texture.
Favourite Homemade Chocolate Treats
- Dark Chocolate Macadamia Bark
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge
- Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles
- Cookies and Cream Fudge
- Salted Nutella Chocolate Fudge
Brigadeiros Recipe (Brazilian Chocolate Truffles)
Ingredients
- 1 can – 395 g condensed milk
- ¼ cup – 25 g cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp – 30 g unsalted butter – softened
- 1 tbsp – 15 ml vanilla extract
- chocolate sprinkles
Instructions
- Mix the condensed milk, cocoa powder, and butter in a pot.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and leaves the bottom of the pan visible for 2–3 seconds when you run a wooden spoon through it.
- Stir in the vanilla extract, then spread the mixture onto a greased plate and let it cool to room temperature.
- Lightly grease your hands, then roll the mixture into small balls.
- Coat each ball in chocolate sprinkles until completely covered, then place them in bonbon paper cups.
Notes
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Amazing@ thanks for sharing a little bit of Brazil here.
If you want to know more about Brigadeiros in Sydney please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/sweetbraziliandesserts
Os brigadeiros são simples mas de sabor inigualável, de simples execução, mas de sabor impar. Além do tradicional de cacau, é possível faze-los com limão siciliano, capim limão, banana com nutela, e outros sabores. Não há festa aqui sem brigadeiros, pela paixão que desperta nas pessoas!
Now that you made the traditional kind, I hope you try all the variations around, coconut, white brigadeiros, even pumpkin… 🙂
I’ ve never met a brigadeiro I did not love, but I guess it is mandatory once you are born in Brazil 😉
These look like little balls of fudge! M-M-M!!
ooh i’ve never heard of these, can’t wait to give it a go and try!
Manuela:
What a great surprise! I have been so sick and because of it, feeling blue…Seeing this brigadeiro recipe here put a big smile on my face. Thank you for featuring it here. I hope you have enjoyed it! Wishing you a great week!