If you have never had a Brigadeiro, you are in for a treat.

Brigadeiros are a very popular candy in Brazil and Portugal. They have a soft, fudgy consistency and the slow cooking of the sweetened condensed milk gives them a wonderful caramel flavor.

Chocolate Brigadeiros

Ingredients:

2 (14-ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 teaspoons light corn syrup
3 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup chocolate sprinkles (These are the best)

Directions:

1. In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, place the condensed milk, butter, heavy cream, and corn syrup and bring to a boil over medium heat.

2. When the mixture starts to bubble, add the chocolate and the cocoa powder. Whisk well to thoroughly incorporate the cocoa powder. Reduce the heat to low and cook, whisking constantly, until it is the consistency of a dense fudgy batter, about 10 minutes.

Note this line from the original recipe: “It is done when you swirl the pan and the mixture slides as one soft piece, leaving a thick burnt residue on the bottom.”

There was no way I was dealing with “thick burnt residue”, so I just whisked continuously until the mixture was very thick and held together.

3. Slide the mixture into a bowl and let cool at room temperature. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.

4. Scoop the mixture into teaspoon sized balls and use your hands to roll them smooth.

5. Place the sprinkles in a bowl. Roll the brigadeiros through the sprinkles, making sure they cover the entire surface. Store in an airtight plastic container for 2 days or up to 1 month in the refrigerator.

Makes about 45 brigadeiros

Recipe from The Brazilian Kitchen by Leticia Moreinos Schwartz

You can also roll the brigadeiros in pearl sugar for a different, fun look. Nuts would be great, too.

Brazilian band Aurora released a self-titled album this past February. It is full of gentle folk songs like this lovely tune.

“And it’s so hard to live without you
But I don’t wanna die it’s true
You hurt me so, I’ll let you go
I could die for you but I won’t
I’m gonna leave you before you have the chance
And I’ll be free, free at last
Just free”

Check out Aurora on Bandcamp, where you can name your price to get their album.

Cheers!