Brigadeiros are Brazil’s most popular sweet. So ideal for a carnival spread and you can really go wild with the flavours.  Cover with a selection of sprinkles and be as creative as  you wish.

Each recipe has a story and apparently these delightful pop-in-the-mouth bonbons are named after a politician Brigadier Eduardo Gomes who ran for the Presidency in Brazil in 1946 at the same time when Nestle introduced its cocoa powder and condensed milk into the country during these times with great shortages of imported foods.

Making these always brighten up my day, they are fun!  Kids love making Brigadieros and will certainly keep them entertained on a rainy day.

You will need :

1 can sweetened condensed milk (397 g)
4 tablespoons cocoa powder
Pinch of salt
3 tablespoons butter
Few drops good vanilla extract
Chocolate and coloured sprinkles for decoration

Pour the condensed milk into your heaviest pot. Stir in the cocoa powder and the salt.

Cook, stirring constantly, over low heat. Keep the mixture barely at a boil to prevent burning and sticking.

Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring, until mixture becomes very thick and shiny and starts to pull away from the bottom and sides of the pan.

Remove from heat and stir in the butter and the vanilla.

Chill in the refrigerator for an hour. With buttered hands, roll the mixture into 1 inch balls. I also made some mini ones, very tiny like pop-in-melt-in-your-mouth treats, great for someone watching the calories or just to serve with coffee at the end of a meal.

Roll each ball in the chocolate sprinkles, and place in a paper liner.

Chill until ready to serve.

Trade Enquiries:

President Butter available at Rimus Group

Kitchenware by Pedrini, Prestige and Bialetti at K & Co Telephone 79415384