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Rotina Diária

Desserts

Traditional Brazilian Brigadeiros

Make classic Brazilian brigadeiros that are firm enough to roll. Cook condensed milk, chocolate, and butter until the mixture pulls away from the pan. Follow the step-by-step guide to get the texture just right.

  • Total time 1 h 37 min
  • Prep time 25 min
  • Cooking 12 min
  • Rest or chill time 1 h
  • Makes About 20 small brigadeiros
  • Difficulty Easy

Brigadeiros are made with three ingredients, and the key to getting them right is knowing when they're done. As they cook, water evaporates from the condensed milk and the sugar becomes more concentrated. The longer you cook the mixture, the firmer the candies will be once cooled.

The mixture is ready to roll when it slides together as you tilt the pan and pulls away from the bottom, leaving the pan visible for a few seconds. If you stop too soon, it will be too soft to shape into balls; cook it too long and the brigadeiros will turn hard and grainy.

Ingredients

Amounts for 20 servings (About 20 small brigadeiros).

Equipment

  • Pot
  • Wooden spoon
  • Paper baking cups

Instructions

  1. Step 1 Combine everything in a cold saucepan

    Add the sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder, and butter to a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Stir before turning on the heat so the cocoa dissolves smoothly.

    • 1 can of sweetened condensed milk
    • 3 tablespoons chocolate powder
    • 1 tablespoon butter

  2. Step 2 Cook until ready to roll

    Cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon and scraping the bottom and sides of the pan. After about 10 to 12 minutes, the mixture will thicken and turn glossy. It’s ready when it pulls away from the bottom as you tilt the pan.

    About 12 min

  3. Step 3 Cool on a greased plate

    Transfer the mixture to a plate greased with butter and spread it out. Let it cool completely, about 1 hour at room temperature. If it’s warm, the brigadeiro will stick to your hands.

    • 1 teaspoon butter, for greasing the plate and your hands

    About 1 h

  4. Step 4 Roll into balls

    Lightly grease your hands with butter, scoop out walnut-sized portions, and roll them into balls. Roll each one in chocolate sprinkles.

    • 1/2 cup chocolate sprinkles

  5. Step 5 Place in paper cups

    Place the brigadeiros in paper candy cups and serve.

Tips for success

  • A heavy-bottomed saucepan and low heat help keep the brigadeiro from scorching before it’s ready.
  • For spoonable brigadeiro (to serve in cups or use as cake filling), turn off the heat about 3 minutes earlier, while the mixture is still slowly flowing.
  • Dark chocolate sprinkles make the treat less sweet.

Substitutions

Chocolate powder
Use 2 tablespoons of 100% cocoa powder for a more bittersweet brigadeiro, or 4 tablespoons of sweetened chocolate drink mix for a sweeter one.
Sprinkles
Cocoa powder, shredded coconut, chopped nuts, or colored sprinkles.

How to store

Stored in a sealed container, it keeps for 3 days in a cool room or up to 7 days in the refrigerator. Uncooked mixture can be frozen for 2 months.

Allergens

Contains: Dairy.

Packaged ingredients may contain traces of other allergens. Always check the labels of the brands you use.

Published October 13, 2026. US measurements: 1 cup = 240 mL, 1 tablespoon = 15 mL, 1 teaspoon = 5 mL; 1 oz = 28 g.