How to Make Brigadeiro

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: November 1, 2021 Tested

Brigadeiro is a classic and traditional Brazilian treat. If you've never tasted or seen one, it can best be described as a sort of chocolate ball or bonbon. While it tastes decadent and can be decorated to look positively elegant, it's actually a simple treat to make. With only three ingredients, you can create your own brigadeiro in your own home – and in only minutes!

Ingredients

1 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
3 tablespoons (44.37 mL) unsweetened cocoa or Nesquick powder
1 tablespoon (14.79 mL) butter

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:
Creating the Chocolate Mixture

1
Set your stovetop to medium to low heat. By gently warming your ingredients, you'll guarantee they gradually thicken, rather than burn. Place a medium saucepan on the stove when your ingredients are measured and ready to go.^{[1]
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2
Combine your ingredients. Pour your condensed milk into the saucepan, and then add your cocoa powder (or Nesquick powder) and butter.^{[2]
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Research source} Stir well with a spoon until your butter is melted and everything looks thoroughly mixed.
- The original Brazilian recipe calls for simple cocoa powder, but American cocoa powder is a bit less sweet. To crank up the sweetness in this recipe, you can either swap the cocoa powder for Nesquick powder all together, or use a portion of Nesquick powder, i.e., two tablespoons (29.57 mL) of cocoa powder and one tablespoon (14.79 mL) of Nesquick powder.
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3
Continuously stir your chocolate until it's thick. Use a large wooden spoon to do this. Don't stop stirring for the entire time your mixture is on the stovetop. As your mixture heats, it will gradually thicken. In about 10 to 12 minutes, it should be done. When it seems thick enough, turn off your stovetop.^{[3]
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- To see if your mixture is thick enough, test it by tilting the pan. It should appear to peel away from the bottom.
- Another way to test if the mixture is done is by scraping the bottom of the pan with your wooden spoon. If you can reveal the bottom of the pan, it should be thick enough.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:
Forming the Balls

1
Pour the mixture on a greased sheet. Using your spoon or spatula, spread the mixture thinly and evenly across the pan. Allow to cool for around 10-20 minutes, or until it's room temperature.^{[4]
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Research source} Once you think it's cool enough, test a section by trying to roll it into a ball. It should hold its shape.
2
Grease your hands and form the balls. Spray some cooking spray on your hands or coat your fingertips with butter to keep the mixture from sticking to them. Once your fingers are coated, pick up enough of the chocolate to form small balls. Traditional brigadeiro is served in balls about 1.5 inches thick.^{[5]
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3
Roll the balls in topping. Chocolate sprinkles are a common topping to use, but you can get creative!^{[6]
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Research source} Try rolling them in crushed nuts, crystal sugar, coconut flakes, crushed candy, or anything else you might like. Anything that goes well with chocolate would make an excellent topping for your brigadeiro.
- Store your brigadeiro in the fridge so they maintain their shape. Keep them chilled before serving.^{[7]
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Community Q&A

Question

Where do I learn how to cook different dishes?

Community Answer

You can learn anywhere! You have to learn the basics first. And look in books and online, take classes, and travel to different parts of the world to experience their techniques.