Brazilian chocolate fudge truffles
Brigadeiros
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
20 min
Servings
20
20 truffles
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
Brigadeiros
Brazilian chocolate fudge truffles
★4.6(7)
Rich, fudgy chocolate truffles made from sweetened condensed milk, cocoa, and butter, rolled in chocolate sprinkles. Brazil's most beloved sweet treat that requires just 4 ingredients.
5m
Prep Time
15m
Cook Time
20m
Total Time
20
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
Brigadeiros are the quintessential Brazilian party treat, found at every birthday celebration. They are essentially cooked chocolate fudge rolled into balls and coated in chocolate sprinkles.
Life is better with dessert, and this recipe proves that homemade always beats store-bought. The results are worth every minute.
We developed this Brigadeiros recipe to be approachable without sacrificing depth of flavor. Baking is where precision meets creativity. This recipe balances the science of ratios and temperatures with the art of flavor, producing a dessert that looks as impressive as it tastes and rewards careful attention to detail.
Ingredients
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 pinch salt
- ½ cup chocolate sprinkles for coating
- Mini cupcake liners for serving
Instructions
- 1
Combine condensed milk, cocoa powder, butter, and salt in a nonstick saucepan over medium heat.
- 2
Stir constantly with a silicone spatula for 10-15 minutes until the mixture thickens and pulls away from the pan.
- 3
Pour onto a buttered plate and let cool until comfortable to handle, about 20 minutes.
- 4
Butter your hands and roll the mixture into 1-inch balls.
- 5
Roll each ball in chocolate sprinkles and place in a mini cupcake liner.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream
Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate sauce before serving
Arrange on a platter for easy sharing at your next gathering
Pair with your favorite dipping sauce for extra flavor
Substitutions
Cocoa powderMelted white chocolate (omit cocoa)
Makes "beijinhos," the white version
Chocolate sprinklesCrushed pistachios or cocoa powder
Elegant alternative coatings
ButterCoconut oil, solid
Use refined coconut oil for a neutral flavor or virgin for a subtle coconut note. Measure by weight, not volume, as the densities differ slightly.
Tips & Storage
Pro Tips
Use good-quality cocoa powder for the richest chocolate flavor.
Refrigerate the mixture if it is too soft to roll—it firms up quickly.
Measure baking ingredients by weight when possible. Baking is chemistry, and precision matters more than in any other type of cooking.
Bring butter, eggs, and dairy to room temperature before mixing. Cold ingredients do not emulsify properly and can produce tough, uneven results.
Storage
Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Reheating
Bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Recipe Notes from Our Kitchen
Editor's Note
Editor's note: Do not be alarmed if the batter or dough looks different from what you expect at certain stages. Trust the process and the recipe. Baking is full of ugly-duckling moments that resolve beautifully in the oven.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (10mg) · 20 servings
Calories80
LowModerateHigh
A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein1g
Carbohydrates2g
Fat14g
Fiber30mg
Sugar0g
Sodium12g
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use dark cocoa?
- Yes, Dutch-process cocoa gives a richer, darker brigadeiro.
- What are variations?
- Roll in crushed nuts, cocoa powder, or powdered sugar instead of sprinkles.
- How do I know when it is done?
- For cakes and quick breads, insert a toothpick into the center — it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. For cookies, they should look slightly underdone when you pull them out, as they firm up as they cool. Trust visual cues over timer alone.
- What if I do not have a stand mixer?
- A hand mixer works for most recipes, though creaming may take a bit longer. For some tasks like whipping egg whites, a hand mixer actually gives you more control. In a pinch, vigorous whisking by hand works for simpler batters.
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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