Brigadeiro (Brazilian Chocolate Truffles)
Brazil's party staple: sweetened condensed milk, cocoa and butter cooked into a fudge, rolled into balls and coated in chocolate sprinkles.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Serves
- 8
- Level
- Easy
Ingredients
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Method
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The story of this dish
Brigadeiro is named after Eduardo Gomes, an Air Force brigadier (brigadeiro) who ran for president of Brazil in 1945. As the usual story goes, in the post-war years when milk, eggs and sugar were scarce, women supporting his campaign sold these sweets made from condensed milk and cocoa to raise funds, and the treat came to be known by the candidate's rank. The details vary from source to source, but the link between the name and the campaign is widely accepted.
Gomes lost the election, but the sweet won: brigadeiro now appears at nearly every birthday party in Brazil and is one of the country's best-loved desserts.
Brazilian Cuisine
Feijoada (with Beef and Beef Sausage)
Brazil's national dish: black beans simmered for hours with assorted meats until thick, served with rice, farofa and orange slices.
Pão de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread)
Small, gluten-free Brazilian cheese puffs made with tapioca starch: crisp outside, chewy and stretchy inside.