Brazilian brigadeiro — chocolate truffles with condensed milk

Brazilian brigadeiro is Brazil’s most beloved dessert — small chocolate truffles prepared with just three basic ingredients and served at every birthday party. The recipe was born in the 1940s and is named after Brigadier Eduardo Gomes. The secret is slowly cooking the mixture until it thickens enough to pull away from the bottom of the pan on its own.

INGREDIENTS (for about 20 truffles):

• 1 can (395 g) sweetened condensed milk
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon butter (plus a little butter for greasing your hands)
• 1 pinch of salt
• Chocolate sprinkles, for coating
• Small paper cups, for serving

PREPARATION STEPS:

1. In a heavy-bottomed pan, add the condensed milk, cocoa, butter and pinch of salt. Mix well until the cocoa is completely dissolved.
2. Place the pan over medium-low heat and cook, stirring CONSTANTLY with a wooden spoon, for about 10–12 minutes. The mixture is ready when it thickens enough to pull away from the bottom of the pan — when you tilt the pan, it moves as a single mass.
3. Pour the hot mixture into a lightly buttered dish and let it cool completely, about 30–40 minutes at room temperature (or 20 minutes in the refrigerator).
4. Grease the palms of your hands with a little butter, scoop the mixture with a teaspoon and form balls about 2.5 cm in diameter.
5. Roll each ball in chocolate sprinkles until fully covered and place in the paper cups.

TIME AND SERVINGS:

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 12 minutes
• Cooling time: 30 minutes
• Servings: about 20 truffles

Tip: if the mixture sticks to your hands, grease your hands with butter again. Brigadeiros keep 3–4 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container.