Homemade brigadeiro in a white paper cups on a white plate
All Things Chocolate

Brigadeiro

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This yummy homemade brigadeiro recipe is soft and full of chocolate flavor. And it only requires three ingredients to make!

What is brigadeiro? It is a traditional Brazilian chocolate treat or candy that is very popular to have for birthdays but it is made anytime of the year.

There are so many variations of sprinkles that you can decorate them with and they are bursting with flavor. It is a type of chocolate truffle. The name comes from Brigadier Eduardo Gomes and gained popularity in the mid to late 1940s.

It is such a simple and yummy chocolate treat to make, if I can do, you can do it. Let’s get started!

If you like Brazilian food make sure to try this Brazilian cheese bread recipe!

Step 1: Gather the ingredients

Brigadeiro ingredients in bowls on a wooden table

Brigadeiro is made with just these three basic ingredients, and then topped with toppings if desired.

  • Butter
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

Toppings (optional)

  • Chocolate sprinkles
  • Coconut flakes
  • Nuts

Step 2: How to make homemade brigadeiro

Hand pouring a can of sweetened condensed milk into a pot with melted butter.

Begin by adding a non-stick pot to the stovetop and set the burner to Medium-Low heat. Add the butter and allow it to melt.

Once the butter melts add in all of the sweetened condensed milk. Now time to stir. You will be doing a lot of stirring. From this point forward you will be stirring for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 3: Cocoa powder time

Cocoa powder dissolved into the brigadeiro liquid

While stirring sift in the cocoa powder. You can also sift the cocoa powder beforehand. It helps to break up any lumps. Keep stirring incorporating that cocoa powder.

If you stop stirring it is prone to burning, and you definitely don’t want that. Stir, stir stir. After awhile it will start to thicken up.

How will you know when the brigadeiro candy is ready?

Hand with red spatula stirring brigadeiro candy

They way you tell it is ready is when you scrape the bottom of the pot, it will create a crevasse in the chocolate, and the walls of chocolate stay put and only slightly seem towards the center.

Now it is ready to go.

Step 4: Plate it!

Brigadeiro candy on a white plate on top of a white stovetop

Pour the brigadeiro candy onto a plate and smooth it out until it is even. Let it cool to room temperature and then place the plate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. You may also eat it as is warm.

Or serve it like a ganache with some ice cream or drizzle it over a cake.

Step 5: How to make brigadeiro balls

Hand making brigadeiro balls and placing them on a white plate

Once the plate comes out of the fridge and the chocolate candy has set it is time to form the balls. Take some butter and rub it on your hands. Make sure your hands are clean!

Use a spoon and scrape some chocolate and put it in your hands and then roll it into a ball. Dip the ball into your choice of sprinkles if you like. Chocolate sprinkles are the traditional toppings to use. You can also dip and roll them in coconut flakes or nuts.

Hand holding homemade brigadeiro over a white plate

Place them into a paper mini muffin cup and then once you are done, put them back in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes to firm up.

Now it is time to serve up those yummy homemade gooey brigadeiro. Enjoy!

How long do brigadeiros last?

They will last up to 3 days at room temperature or about a week in the fridge.

Can I use chocolate chips or chocolate bars to make Brigadeiro?

Yes, you sure can! Use a nice dark or semi-sweet chocolate, like the Godiva or Ghiradelli brand. Even the store brand will work. This works great if you don’t have cocoa powder.

Homemade brigadeiro in a white paper cups on a white plate
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5 from 10 votes

Brigadeiro

This yummy homemade brigadeiro recipe is a class Brazilian chocolate candy, very popular for birthdays. It is so very easy to make and only requires 3 basic ingredients. If I can do it, you can do it!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Cooling time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Candy, Dessert
Cuisine: Brazilian
Keyword: birthday, chocolate, creamy, gooey, smooth, sweet, treats
Servings: 12 candies
Calories: 128kcal
Author: Matt Taylor

Equipment

  • Nonstick pot (I use my dutch oven. You can use any pot really though.)
  • spatula or wooden spoon
  • Paper cups
  • Plate

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp. of butter unsalted or salted (28g)
  • 1 can 14oz of sweetened condensed milk 396g
  • 1/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder 32g or 1/2 cup of chocolate milk powder (50g)
  • chocolate sprinkles
  • coconut flakes
  • nuts

Instructions

  • Place a nonstick large pot on the stovetop and set the heat to medium-low.
  • Add the butter and melt it. Then add in the sweetened condensed milk. Start stirring and keep stirring the whole time until the brigadeiro chocolate mixture is done.
  • Sift the cocoa powder into the pot or sift it into a bowl beforehand. Add it a little at a time while stirring until it is all incorporated.
  • Keep stirring for 15 to 20 minutes. It will start to get thicker and thicker. Keep stirring until when you scrap your spoon along the bottom the crevasse it makes holds its shape, and then walls of chocolate barely creep back into place. It is done. You can serve it warm or pour it over a cake or proceed to the next steps.
  • Remove it from the heat and pour it onto a plate and spread it out on the bottom of the plate. Then chill the plate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
  • Take the plate out of the fridge. Add some butter to your clean hands and scoop up some of the candy with a spoon. Roll it into a ball and then roll it into your choice of sprinkles. Place it into a mini muffin cup and then finish the rest of them.
  • Put the plate of brigadeiros back into the fridge and chill them for 15 to 20 minutes. Time to serve them. Enjoy!

Video

How to Make Brigadeiro | Easy Brazilian Chocolate Treat Recipe

Notes

List of nutritional ingredients for brigadeiro
Tried this recipe?Mention @WPRecipeMaker or tag #wprecipemaker!

Nutrition

Calories: 128kcal

Do you like this recipe? Please give it a rating and comment down below, I really appreciate it.  If you make it tag me on Instagram @inthekitchenwithmatt. Also, sign up for the newsletter so you won’t miss out on any of my new posts and recipes.

Here are a few more recipes you may like:

Easy Homemade Butter

Crispy Fried Shrimp

Popovers

Easy Vanilla Pudding

Brigadeiro pin for Pinterest
(Pin it!)

32 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Hi Matt, I’m going to make these for my youngest daughter’s baby shower. I’m thinking I should keep them refrigerated up until time to serve them, especially if it’s a bit warm inside. Thanks for the recipe, I know everyone will love them. Love your recipes and videos, 😊

  2. Just a note clarifying the metric measure of condensed milk – the 14oz US can is the same as a 300 ml metric can – US measure is by weight, metric is by volume.
    https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Condensed_milk has some history about it notably the container size has not changed since the Civil war – 1 can was considered daily rations.

  3. 5 stars
    I have a healthy Brigadeiro recipe. I’ll check your recipe and try it too. I’ll compare if we have the same technique. I love this dessert!

  4. Oh my, this recipe looks so tasty… I love brigadeiro! I’d love to make it myself and try it out.

  5. 5 stars
    Wow this is looks so delicious and easy to make I can’t wait to try this I love homemade chocolate recipe.

  6. 5 stars
    These are really delish! And I love how easy this is to make!

  7. What a yummy and simple treat to make! For some reason I feel like these would go great with hot cocoa and a scary movie!

    Kileen
    cute & little

  8. Why have I never heard of brigadeiro before? I could eat that whole plate! Looks delicious!

  9. 5 stars
    OMG this looks so easy to make and some delicious! My family will love these, thank you for sharing such a easy recipe!

  10. 5 stars
    These look like little bites of chocolatey Heaven. My family is going to love these.

  11. 5 stars
    We had these once at a Brazillian restaurant and I never forgot them. They are the best dessert I have ever had. I can’t wait to try out this recipe.

  12. Aimee Shugarman

    5 stars
    These are fantastic. We added some red white and blue sprinkles for a festive twist!

  13. 5 stars
    These are so easy to make, and ridiculously good!

    • Thank you, Kara! 🙂 🙂

      • Is it OK to store these in the freezer, if you make a larger batch and just take them out a bit at a time before eating? Also, would it help them last a bit longer shelf life-wise?

        • Yes you can store them in the freezer, freeze them in a single layer on a sheet pan with like wax paper or parchment paper. Once frozen after 3 to 4 hours, you can remove them and place them in a freezer bag and put them back in the freezer. Just allow them to thaw before serving. And it will give them a longer shelf life for sure.

  14. 5 stars
    I love chocolate truffles and this brigadeiro recipe is so good! Love the creamy chocolate center.

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