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Sunday, April 21, 2013

Brigadeiros

Chewy caramel insides are covered with chocolate sprinkles to make these sweets, essential at any Brazilian party. They are so easy to make too!




This week, #SundaySupper is celebrating celebrating.  What I mean is, we are sharing recipes that are perfect for showers.  Baby showers, bridal showers or whatever lovely gathering you are planning this month.  Our host is Brandie from Home Cooking Memories, so I think she will appreciate that I reached back to one of my favorite times to share this party favorite. 

Brigadeiros are an easy sweet treat that make an essential appearance at every celebration in Brazil.  We lived there for almost six years when our daughters were little.  In fact, both of them started school (a couple of years apart, of course) at the Omega School, which was a few blocks from our house, in the small neighborhood of Macaé called Vivendas da Lagoa.  It was a tiny operation with fewer than 30 students ranging from the three-year-olds to one sixth grader, with most children falling on the younger end of the chart.  Enrollment was so small most years that when one child celebrated a birthday, the whole crowd was invited. The best part was that they all played well together, regardless of age or grade level.  We missed that interaction later, in bigger schools. 

In those days, Macaé was a small oilfield town, short on amenities.  (I’ve been told it has progressed greatly since then, although I haven’t been back.)  Grocery shopping was limited and it was a challenge to do it all in one day, especially with at least one small child in tow.  Chicken was only purchased at the chicken shop, beef, pork and sausages at the butcher. If you wanted fresh vegetables, the best place was Hortifruti, the covered market.  Fresh milk was in limited supply so we bought UHT (ultra high temperature) milk that came in Tetrapaks.

For cheese, there were a couple of places you might get lucky, just don’t expect anything fancy.  But one thing that every shop had, even the little corner store in our neighborhood, were cans of the sweet sticky paste used for making brigadeiros.  When we left Brazil (and the supply I had brought in our shipment was exhausted) we had to learn how to make them without it.  Because, as I am sure you will agree once you try one, life is too short to go without brigadeiros. Fortunately, it isn’t that hard since you start with sticky condensed milk, available everywhere. 

Ingredients 
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa 
1 tablespoon butter plus a little extra for buttering your hands when you are rolling the little balls 
1 (14 ounce or 397g) can sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk) 
10.5 oz or 298g packet chocolate rice or sprinkles (You may not use them all.)
60-70 tiny paper muffin liners

Method 
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, pour in the condensed milk, then sift in the cocoa and add in the butter.




Cook over a medium heat, stirring gently to make sure it is well combined.



Keep stirring and cooking until it is quite thick, about 10-15 minutes.



Remove from the heat and let rest until cool enough to handle.  It will stiffen up even more as it cools. 

Put your chocolate sprinkles in a small bowl or other deep container. 

Rub a little butter into both of your palms.  Using a small spoon, scoop up a little of the sweet paste and roll it into small balls between your palms.


Use one spoon to scrape it off into your buttered palm. 

Roll it between your buttered palms to get a smooth ball. 

Drop it gently into the small bowl of chocolate sprinkles and roll it around until coated. Place each covered ball in a paper muffin liner. Place on a serving tray.




Continue until all the paste is finished.  Keep in a cool, dry place until ready to serve.


Do not share these with your helper, not matter how much he begs.  Chokit, noooo!


These little balls of sticky chocolatey caramel awesomeness are perfect for any party!  Invite the whole crowd and see if they can play nice.


Enjoy! 

And while you are at it, why not make a couple of special dishes from the rest of the #SundaySupper line up of April Shower recipes? 


Starters, Appetizers & Snacks
Soups, Salads & Sandwiches
Main Dishes
Cakes
Cookies, Brownies & Dessert Bars
Sweet Treats
Drink Recipes






58 comments :

  1. My brother and his family are living in Brazil at the moment. Thanks to the world traveler, Stacy, I can now surprise and impress them on their next vacation in the US with beautiful bon-bon brigadeiros =) Obligado!

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  2. How fun, Kim! They will certainly be surprised. And, by the way, since you are female, you say obrigada. Males are obrigado.

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  3. Right! Shute. I knew there was a male/female but I forgot. Obrigada for the reminder =)

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  4. I've never heard of these before but they sound similar to truffles. I love the rice sprinkles...I was wondering what they were but they really make the dessert stand out!

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  5. Where have brigadeiros been all my life? How have I missed them? Wow. I'm in chocolate heaven just thinking about them. I must make them and gobble them up like crazy.

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  6. The chocolate sprinkles also keep the chewy balls from sticking to the paper liners, Heather! Very important work.

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  7. I thought the same thing, Renee. Actually Brazilians make several little candies like these, in different flavors, dipped in different colored sugars or sprinkles or coconut, but these were always our favorite. As much as I don't eat many sweets, I am a sucker for caramel covered in chocolate and that's basically what these are.

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  8. Ooooooooh I've never had brigadeiros but I think I LOVE THEM! Chocolatey amazingness

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  9. I have never seen these little truffle-like candies. They look delicious. I really feel like making some to take to work tomorrow.

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  10. These are perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth, Kayle!

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  11. Your office folks will adore you, Debra!

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  12. awwwww...what a sweet helper. And these sound like delicious little balls! So pretty, too.

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  13. I've never seen this recipe before. Looks amazing! Love the puppy nose...

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  14. I am all in...sweetened condensed milk was all you had to say.

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  15. Thanks, Jennifer! They are chocolatey and chewy. And so easy.

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  16. He is a sweetheart, Heather. Always under my feet in the kitchen but he saves me from talking to myself. Thank you for your kind words.

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  17. I don't know why they are not known worldwide, Gail. Perhaps I am doing my little bit to change that. Pass it on! They are ubiquitous in Brazil.

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  18. It's like taking dulce de leche where it's never gone before, Jen. :)

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  19. How fun are these?! I've never heard of them, but I'm sure my kids would love to help roll them! These would be great favors for any shower!

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  20. These sound amazing!


    I very much enjoy reading about your experiences living in different parts of the world. It sounds really amazing! Thank you! ~ Bea

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  21. My daughter actually helped me make these, Camille. She was way more useful than my usual helper. :)

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  22. Thank you, Bea! I am always wondering how much to share. Your kind words mean a lot.

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  23. What a gorgeous confection! I'm so glad I now know about brigadeiros...but I sure wish they were in MY kitchen, not yours :)

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  24. sort of like a chocolate caramel then? Anything that involves a can of condensed milk is good in my books.

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  25. Stacie, I can't wait to make up a batch of these! Would you recommend in summer months, keeping these in the refrigerator?

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  26. Thank you for sharing such a decadent looking treat. I would love to try those!!

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  27. I always thought brigadeiros were some sort of cake...but dulce de leche with cocoa and sprinkles, how awesome Stacy!

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  28. Such a fun post! I love reading your stories, and your recipes that are new to many, including me... !!! ;-)

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  29. These are so fantastic! You know how I love to make bon bons - and these look so simple. Can't wait to make them. I pinned already.

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  30. Did they have crazy, over the top Brazilian birthday parties when you lived in Brazil? Every birthday party we go to has a super fancy desert/cake table with no less than 300 of these suckers, plus tons of other treats. I'm not sure which shocks me more - the over the top desert tables or the waitstaff walking around serving Johnny Walker at a preschool birthday party (to the adults of course)!

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  31. You might want to keep them chilled, Joan, if your house is really hot or if they are going to be served outside. If you have airconditioning on inside, they will probably be fine.

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  32. They are so sweet that I can hardly eat a whole one. But my daughters don't have that problem at all. :)

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  33. It's basically dulce de leche cooked until very, very thick, Paula. I did see a photo once of a pile of them on top of a chocolate cake with chocolate icing. It was stunning!

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  34. You are the bon bon queen. Most parties had a variety of these with different fillings and different coatings, like chopped nuts or coconut or colored sugars and sprinkles. You could really go to town, Kelli!

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  35. Not many of our students were Brazilian so the parties weren't so over the top, but we went to a few for office folks' children so I know exactly what you mean, Melissa! Especially the first birthday parties! Those are a really big deal!! I was told it is because infant mortality used to be so high, and if your baby made it to one year old, they were likely to continue living. So, much rejoicing! The dessert I miss the most from the laden tables you describe is mousse de maracuja. I need to make that sometime.

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  36. Thank you, Liz! You too can have them in your kitchen. :)

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  37. Okay these are flipping amazing. Look at those cute little goodies. The pic of the dog is way too adorable.

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  38. My daughters' school is about half Brazilian students. Their parents must laugh at the simple parties the foreigners have! I've heard that the average b-day party at the Brazilian birthday buffet places that are popular for kids runs at a MINIMUM of $5,000! I love mousse de maracuja, too!

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  39. You mean they have the parties in a restaurant?! Well, in fairness, perhaps the folks in Macaé do too now, but back then the parties were in people's backyards with caterers bringing in tables, chairs, tablecloths, all the food and even waiters to serve. $5,000 is just craziness for a child's birthday. What will the wedding cost?!

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  40. These remind me of fudge. Love the sprinkles!

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  41. Oh boy! I must try these in all kinds of versions - and with the rehearsal dinner coming up in a few weeks for the oldest boy, it may just be the perfect time to try them out!

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  42. Check your email! I sent you a short list of the usual variations. They would be perfect for a rehearsal dinner. In fancy restaurants, the chef often sends out a plate of what is called mignardises, which are little sweet treats, usually chocolate, with his or compliments. They are served with the coffee. Each table gets a plate with just a small selection. You could do these!

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  43. I'd never heard of Brigadeiros before this! Thanks for sharing!

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  44. Oh my goodness I bet these are incredibly rich.

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  45. How incredible is this recipe! And simple too. YUMMY!

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  46. They are very fudgy, Cindy, but chewy too.

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  47. Wow, Stacy, what an experience you had living in Brazil! I was born and raised in Vancouver so I'm a city gal through and through. I can't imagine buying milk in tetrapaks (shows you how sheltered I am!). I can easily imagine inhaling a dozen of these brigadeiros. I've never heard of them so thanks for sharing - they sound delicious!

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  48. would you believe that after all this time I finally figured out how to read the Disqus comments without waiting until I comment on someone else's post and see I have notifications? :) Thanks for sending the email because I'm going to make these!!

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  49. Actually, I do believe it! Disqus can be a challenge. You are welcome and please let me know how they turn out.

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  50. Stacy, I am definitely making this for the band concert. But can I make them in advance? How long do they keep? Thanks for the unique recipe. XO

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  51. Hi, Laura,
    The brigadeiros can definitely be made ahead of time by several days but keep them in a cool place because the heat of KL will make the insides melt and you will no longer have round balls. Those band kids are going to LOVE you.

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  52. Thank you, Megan! Sorry I missed your kind comment, way back when.

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  53. Thank you, Nancy! I don't know how I missed this comment from so many months ago. You might be surprised to learn that we also bought milk in tetrapaks when we lived in Paris. Difference was, the French UHT milk actually tasted like fresh milk, unlike the stuff in Brazil. My husband and I shared one car so we would do a big shop on the weekends and I'd buy fresh milk and then tetrapaks to tide us over until the next big shop since our little French fridge wasn't big enough to hold a week's supply of fresh milk for two growing girls.

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