How to Make Brigadeiros (Brazilian Chocolate Balls)

These simple Brigadeiros are a staple Brazilian treat, akin to chocolate truffles, that are not only delectable but also incredibly simple to make. With their rich, creamy texture and chocolatey goodness, they're perfect for any occasion and require just 3 ingredients.

If you like traditional chocolate recipes, check out my classic hot fudge or traditional Mexican hot chocolate.

To put it simply, brigadeiro is a round chocolate ball traditionally made of sweetened condensed milk, butter, and chocolate. It's simple to make and can be modified with various sprinkles or toppings or flavorings.

The mixture is heated until it thickens before being hand-rolled into those signature Brazilian chocolate balls. They can be topped with chocolate sprinkles, nuts, crushed cookies, or shaved fruits after chilling.

Some brigadeiro recipes never make it into balls, as they're simply spooned out of the pan after cooling, served in bowls with spoons.

Some claim brigadeiro was created by Brazilian chocolatiers during a time of strife. The lack of supply of many commodities during the second world war affected many countries prompting societies to innovate and adapt. 

However the term Brigadeiro hails from the English word brigadier, a commander of a brigade. One origin story says an Air Force brigadier named Eduardo Gomes, who ran for Presidency in 1946, came up with the name.

To raise funds for his political campaign, his female supporters made chocolate and condensed milk treats they named Brigadeiro inspired by the popular “Brigadier” whose slogan was “Vote no Brigadeiro, que é bonito e é solteiro” (vote for the brigadier who is handsome and single).

Possibly because he was handsome but also because, at the most crucial time, he stood against populism and advocated for women’s suffrage and various other social reforms. 

Despite his popularity and the efforts made by his supporters, he did not win the Presidency, though these new brigadeiros won the hearts of Brazilians by a landslide.  

Butter - this brigadeiros recipe only calls for a small amount of butter, traditionally used to smooth out the mixture like a typical ganache.

Sweetened Condensed Milk - this is the key to making smooth, chewy, melt-in-your-mouth brigadeiros; it cannot really be substituted.

Cocoa Powder - dutch-processed cocoa will give you the most chocolaty flavor, but try using a single origin cocoa powder for a more unique flavor.

Sprinkles - these are the traditional coating for brigadeiros, so use as needed.

See recipe card for full ingredients and exact measurements.

Step 1. Measure out your ingredients before you begin. This will make the process smoother and ensure you don't miss anything.

In a medium non-stick saucepan, combine the butter, sweetened condensed milk, and cocoa powder (images 1 & 2). It's important to use a non-stick pan to prevent the mixture from sticking and burning.

Step 5. Roll the brigadeiro balls in chopped nuts or chocolate sprinkles until they're fully coated (images 11 & 12). This not only adds texture but also makes them look as good as they taste.

Place the finished brigadeiros in mini cupcake liners and chill them in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to set. This step helps them hold their shape better.

Brigadeiro without Butter: because there's so little used, you could theoretically use vegan butter or really any other heavy oil, but I've never tried any swaps.

Vegan Brigadeiro: make your brigadeiro vegan by swapping out the dairy condensed milk with a plant-based alternative, like coconut condensed milk.

Brigadeiro without Cocoa Powder: you can use the same amount of any other type of chocolate, such as dark milk, milk, or white, depending on your dietary needs or flavor preferences.

• Almond Brigadeiro - use Valrhona almond chocolate in place of the cocoa powder, and roll the balls in sliced almonds.
• Pistachio Brigadeiro - mix in up to 2 tablespoons of fresh pistachio butter, then roll the chocolate balls in toasted pistachio pieces.
• White Brigadeiro - just swap out the traditional dark or milk chocolate for white chocolate.
• Vanilla Brigadeiro - use white or blonde chocolate in place of cocoa powder, and then mix in up to ¼ teaspoon of vanilla powder at the end of the production process to create a smoother, creamier chocolate brigadeiro.
• Spiced Brigadeiro - incorporate a small amount of cinnamon and clove for a unique twist.

Other favorite flavors of brigadeiro use fruits in fresh or dried forms, such as lemon, coconut, mango, passion fruit, orange, pineapple, cranberry, or raspberry.