Carnival- Inspired Brazilian Chocolate Brigadeiro Recipe

If you can't go to Rio for Carnival, this festive Brazilian chocolate brigadeiro recipe is a delicious alternative. 

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How pretty are these? With our festive Brazilian chocolate brigadeiro recipe, you can recreate these sweet treats at home.

If there's one thing that travel has taught me, it's that every country seems to have their own special chocolate concoction and Brazil is no exception. Brigadeiros are best described as a Brazilian bon-bon. These soft, truffle-like delights are incredibly easy to make (cocoa and sweetened condensed milk are the star ingredients) and you can easily customize them according to your own tastes. This Brazilian chocolate brigadeiro recipe is the perfect way to inject a little travel coziness into your day, even if you can't exactly fly to Rio!

Where does the name "Brigadeiro" come from?

The brigadeiro's exact origins are a bit murky. They are relative newcomers on the confectionary scene, making their debut in World War II. Some food historians say they are the delicious result of “desperate times, desperate measures” during the war; the inexpensive, shelf-stable ingredients were an accessible alternative to the fresh milk and sugar required of most desserts during lean economic times. Not surprisingly, the easy, affordable recipe was an instant favorite of the sweet-craving nation.

Another slightly more romantic story is that brigadeiros are a tribute to a handsome Brigadier, Eduardo Gomes. With the modest slogan of “vote for the most handsome and single Brigadier,” Gomes was a memorable presidential candidate in the 1945 Brazilian election campaign. Brigadeiros were a novel fundraising tool initiated by suffragettes to support his campaign. While Gomes would ultimately lose the election, his brigadeiros never dipped in the popularity polls.

Where can you find homemade brigadeiros?

In their most humble incarnation, brigadeiros are eaten with a spoon, directly from the cooking pot and, if a Brazilian friend ever offers you a scoop - take it! However, you’re just as likely to see them at neighborhood farmers’ markets all around the world like I did in London, Ontario, or even in gourmet brigadeiros boutiques. But if your search turns up with nothing, don't despair. Happily, no matter where you are in the world, you can easily find the ingredients to make this Brazilian chocolate brigadeiro recipe at home, in a vacation rental, or even a hostel kitchen. 

Brigadeiro recipe instructions and ingredients

How's this for a simple ingredient list? To make brigadeiros, you just need:

• 3 Tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 Tablespoon butter 
• 1 can (14oz) sweetened, condensed milk 
• Extra cocoa powder OR shredded coconut for coating
• Any fancy, festive touches you'd like for decorating, like sprinkles or nuts

You'll also need measuring spoons, a medium sauce pan, and a spatula to stir the mixture (I love this Rubbermaid one that's designed for high heat. <affiliate ad>) If you have a sifter, break it out for the cocoa powder but it's not necessary. 

This is a very hands-on kind of process. You'll want to have a clear, clean patch of countertop, a plate for the cooling brigadeiro balls, and a clean tea towel. This is a sticky recipe and you might have to rinse your hands a few times!

In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, stir all of the ingredients together and cook the mixture until it thickens (about 10 minutes — it will be about the thickness of brownie batter). When the mixture has cooled enough for you to handle it, roll the batter into small balls. This will be STICKY! 
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Rolling the cooled balls in cocoa is traditional, but I love to roll mine in sweetened 
coconut; about 1/2 a cup is needed for this recipe, which produces about 12 jumbo brigadeiros or 18 minis. If you're finishing them with cocoa powder, a few tablespoons should do the job.

If you want to be fancy and festive, just like the Rio Carnival, go all out for colourful toppings. Sprinkles or nonpareils, mini M&Ms or Smarties, mini gummies, white chocolate curls, sparkly dragées (silver or gold sugar balls), and even edible gold leaf can all work here. ​

Admittedly, my homemade version doesn't look quite as fancy as those I enjoyed at the farmers market. But as far as I’m concerned, there’s no such thing as a bad brigadeiro. Even if your first efforts are a bit amateurish, it’s hard not to fall in love with the lick-the-pot-worthy flavor. With a bit of practice, you can master the perfectly round shape and expertly applied toppings like you’d see in a real brigadeiros boutique. 

Even if you can't make it Rio, there's no reason why the festive - and delicious! - spirit of the city can't be enjoyed at home. These are the perfect sweet treat to enjoy while watching a foreign film, reading novel from an international author, or catching up with travel friends online.

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