Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Brigadeiros - Chocolate Candy from Brazil

These are delectable snack/dessert made using condensed milk and cocoa powder.They are also known as "Negrinho" or Blackie in some parts of Brazil. The condensed milk is cooked in butter along with cocoa powder and the result is rolled in chocolate sprinkles (vermicelli or jimmies as they are also known) to get a dark brown truffle like sweet or laddoos as we can also say. This said the work is definitely tiring and I hope I have made justice to the recipe I adapted from here. Do watch the accompanying video before you attempt a brigadeiro.

Ingredients:
Unsalted Butter: 2 tbsp + more for greasing


Condensed Milk: 1 can ( 14 oz)

Cocoa Powder: 2 tbsp
Water: 2-4 tbsp (for mixing the cocoa powder)

Chocolate sprinkles: for rolling (I also used coconut gratings and coloured sprinkles)

Preparation:
On medium-low heat, melt butter in a thick bottomed pan. As soon it is melted,add in condensed milk.Also add in coco powder mixed with water.Cocoa powder takes time to dissolve in condensed milk and may form lumps.So to better avoid the lump,add the coco powder to  little water,mix/stir well so that no lumps are there and add this mix to the condensed milk and stir well to get a brown thick liquid.

Keeping the heat on med-low (I used the lowest possible heat),using a wooden spoon start stirring the mix preferably in a circular fashion and from the sides for about 20-40 minutes. We have to cook the condensed milk + cocoa and the water has to evaporate.If we leave the mix alone,then the mix may burn.So keep on stirring and cook as the mix gets thicker and thicker (reduces in volume).


Lovely aroma may permeat the kitchen but the mix or brigadeiros are ready when  (using the words of the original recipe)
  • You divide it in half with the spoon and it stays parted for a few seconds 

  • You scoop some  mix with the wooden spoon, turn the spoon upside down, and it holds there for an instant before falling back into the pan

Once ready put the contents of the pan (brigadeiro mix) onto a plate and let it chill in the fridge for atleast 30 minutes till it cools enough for us to handle and firms up. This is like a fudge I felt.

Take it out and scoop enough mix onto your palms which are already greased with butter and roll into small ball.

Then roll the ball into chocolate sprinkles and cover it completely.I also used coloured ones and coconut gratings as well.Place it in small cupcake liner/cup.

Repeat the process with the remaining mix to make about 1-2 dozen  brigadeiros. Place the brigadeiros  in fridge for 15-30 minutes for them to firm up.I had only bigger muffin liners so I did not use them and served the brigaderios as small balls only.

Serve as an anytime snack without thinking about the calories :)



Need I say about the taste ! Condensed milk laddoos rolled in coconut gratings are my favourite and this one with chocolate is AWESOME. You can instead of cocoa powder add drinking chocolate powder as well but it will be overtly sweet.Only tiring thing is you have to sweat for atleast 20 minutes in front of the stove,but the result is EXCELLENT.

Since coconut laddoos were my childhood favourite I also rolled these in fresh grated coconut and also in coloured sprinkles just to add some colour.traditionally only chocolate sprinkles are used.

Do make your own Brigadeiro as I have finished almost all but few precious saved ones are for Sara who is hosting AWED:Brazil,an event by DK

The brigadeiro were so named after Brigadier Eduardo Gomes who was a Presidential candidate in the 40s. It is said that his wife would make this candy resembling truffles during fund raising events. Also since it was wartime,the fruits and nuts were rarely available and Nestle had just introduced its condensed milk to Brazil. Do learn about it in Wiki, munching on a brigadeiro and listening/watching to Vengaboyz -Brazil .


8 Comments:

Bombay Foodie said...

It's such a sinful little treat. Maybe that's what I will do with the tin of milkmaid lurking in the fridge.

Priya Suresh said...

Woww brigadeiros looks very cute and irresistible..

FewMinute Wonders said...

Nice to see chocolate candy being made.Looks very simple to me

Sanghi said...

Mmm.. drooling over the colourful candy deaR!

Rachel said...

You always come up with something new and fascinating.

Cham said...

I saw recently this one, they look like truffle, lovely!

Unknown said...

What a chocolatey treat! Lovely..

Swathi said...

I heard about this national candy of Brazil. Looks delicious.

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