Brigadeiro Recipe
Brigadeiro is one of Brazil's most beloved desserts, and its origins are as fascinating as they are political. In fact, the name Brigadeiro has one of the most unusual meanings a dessert could have. In Portuguese, it means "Brigadier General."
The dessert was created shortly after World War II during Brazil's presidential election, back when Rio de Janeiro was still the country's capital. Women supporting the charismatic presidential candidate Brigadier General Eduardo Gomes began making sweets to serve at campaign events. Because wartime shortages had made ingredients like fresh milk and sugar difficult to obtain, the recipe's creator, Heloísa Nabuco de Oliveira, used sweetened condensed milk instead. The result was the chocolate confection we now know as Brigadeiro. Although Eduardo Gomes lost the election, the dessert named after his military rank went on to become one of the most iconic and beloved treats in Brazilian cuisine.
Brigadeiro is also incredibly easy to make. Sweetened condensed milk is cooked with butter and cocoa powder until thickened, then rolled into bite-sized balls and coated in chocolate sprinkles. The cooking and shaping process actually reminds me quite a bit of bala baiana. I'm certainly not an expert on Brazilian cuisine as a whole, but judging by the two Brazilian desserts I'm familiar with, it's fair to say that sweetened condensed milk plays an important role in many of its sweets.
Since Brigadeiro is made entirely on the stovetop and comes together in just a few minutes, I think it's an ideal dessert for the summer months. After all, turning on the oven during hot weather is something most of us think twice about. Although sweetened condensed milk is a dairy product, its high sugar content gives it a remarkably long shelf life. Likewise, Brigadeiro can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. If you'd like to keep it even longer, it freezes very well.
Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 400 g sweetened condensed milk,
- 1 tbsp butter,
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder,
- 150 g chocolate sprinkles.
Preparation
- Pour the sweetened condensed milk into a nonstick saucepan,
- Add the cocoa powder and whisk until smooth,
- Add the butter and place the pan over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 10–12 minutes, or until the mixture is thick enough that a spoon dragged across the bottom of the pan leaves a trail that takes a few seconds to close,
- Remove from the heat and let the mixture cool completely,
- Lightly wet your hands, scoop out small portions, roll them into balls, and coat each one in the chocolate sprinkles,
- Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Enjoy!