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Brazilian

Brigadeiro (Brazilian Chocolate Truffles)

A classic Brazilian party sweet made by cooking condensed milk, cocoa, and butter into soft chocolate truffles.

Published and reviewed by Kitchgrow on 1 September 2026Updated

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Brigadeiro (Brazilian Chocolate Truffles)

57 mintotal

27 min hands-on30 min hands-off

Prep 15 min · Cook 12 min

Serves
2
Difficulty
Easy
Spice
None
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Ingredients

Quantities are for 2 servings.

You'll need: Stovetop.

Includes about 30 minutes of cooling before the truffle mixture is shaped.

Method

  1. Add condensed milk, cocoa powder, butter, and salt to a small heavy pan. Stir until the cocoa dissolves smoothly.

  2. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly and scraping the bottom, until the mixture thickens and pulls away from the pan.

  3. Transfer to a greased plate and spread slightly. Cool for about 30 minutes, until firm enough to handle.

    30 min

  4. Grease your hands lightly with butter and roll the mixture into small balls.

  5. Roll each ball in chocolate sprinkles until coated on all sides.

  6. Serve at room temperature, or chill briefly for a firmer bite.

How to tell it's done

The truffles should be smooth, fudgy, and soft-chewy, not grainy or runny.

Getting it right

Tip

The mixture is ready when a spatula leaves a clear trail on the bottom of the pan for a moment.

What to serve it with

Serve in small paper cups for parties or as a compact dessert bite after meals.

Common mistakes

The brigadeiro will not hold a ball.
Cook it until you can drag a spoon across the pan and the mixture parts to show the base for a second before closing. Stopping before that point leaves a sauce, and no amount of chilling fixes it.
It turns grainy or chewy.
Low heat and constant stirring, scraping the bottom throughout. Condensed milk catches and crystallises the moment it is left alone, and that graininess never smooths out.

Substitutions

  • Use good-quality unsweetened cocoa powder for a balanced chocolate flavor.
  • Chocolate sprinkles are traditional for the coating; chopped nuts change both allergen profile and classic appearance.
  • Check sprinkle labels because some packaged sprinkles may contain soy, dairy, gluten, or color additives.

Storing and reheating

Keeps a week in an airtight box at room temperature and two weeks in the fridge, though cold makes them firm. Roll in sprinkles only when serving — the coating softens and bleeds if stored on.