Brigadeiro Recipe – Brazilian Fudge Balls

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

brigadeiro recipe

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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

Brigadeiro 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.

brigadeiro

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. 

Brigadeiro Recipe

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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

  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!
    A fudge ball in a person's hand

  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

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:

Other Brazilian Desserts:

A rainbow fudge balls sits in the middle of a plate of chocolate Brazilian truffles
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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
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Cooling Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 15 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

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    23 Comments

    1. As someone who is researching more of their Brazilian ancestry, your recipes have made me feel closer to that side of my heritage. Muito obrigada!

    2. 5 stars
      WHAT?! These are amazing and I’m sad I’ve never seen or tasted them before! They look really delicious and I think I’m going to have to give this recipe a try. My dad will especially love these!

    3. 5 stars
      Well, now I have some serious cravings for chocolate! These look utterly delicious, and I love how easy they are to make! They would also make a great edible gift for this festive season!

    4. 5 stars
      I really love how festive and versatile this fun dessert is! I think I’ll try this when I go back home for the Holidays with my momma. She’s the reason for my chocolate obsession anyway! 🙂

    5. 5 stars
      Why have I never heard of these before!? They are so fantastic… I’m talking better than fudge and truffles fantastic. Cannot wait to make them again… this time, as little take-away treats at my holiday party!

    6. I am beyond excited! I am adopted from Brazil. My mother spent 3 weeks there securing my adoption. She has made these throughout my childhood, and not once did I know they were Brazilian. I am sooo excited to make these and introduce my children to these….

      1. Awww this makes be beyond happy!! <3 thank you for sharing! I'm excited for your kids to try them as well - they're such a classic part of Brazilian childhood!! Enjoy!!!

      2. Hi Aline,
        Thank you for the recipe. I am guessing that these are to be stored in an airtight container? How long can they keep for?

        Thanks in advance.
        Carol

        1. Hi Carol, yes – and they keep for a couple of days, but they start to crystalize and harden after 3 days or so. They’re still edible, but the texture isn’t the same.

    7. Thank you for the recipe! Mine are not staying hard as I roll them into balls they melt on the plate. Any suggestions? They taste great!!

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