# Brigadeiros > To make brigadeiros, cook a 395 g can of sweetened condensed milk with 2 tbsp cocoa powder and 1 tbsp butter over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, for 10-15 minutes until thick and pulling away from the pan. Cool for 1 hour, roll into 24 small balls with buttered hands and coat in chocolate sprinkles. Source: https://savourrecipes.com/recipe/brigadeiros Author: Mei Lin Tan | Published: Oct 5, 2026 Categories: Brazilian Recipes, Dessert Recipes Collections: Winter Recipes Tags: Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Kid Friendly, Make Ahead No Brazilian birthday party is complete without a tray of brigadeiros. They take five ingredients and one saucepan: sweetened condensed milk, cocoa and butter cook down into a thick, glossy fudge, which is cooled, rolled into small balls and coated in chocolate sprinkles. The centre stays soft and chewy, closer to a fudge than a truffle. ## Key facts - Prep time: 10 mins - Cook time: 15 mins - Cool: 1 hr - Total time: 1 hr 25 mins - Yield: 24 brigadeiros - Difficulty: Easy - Cuisine: Brazilian - Method: Stovetop cooking - Calories: 150 per serving ## Ingredients - 1 can sweetened condensed milk (395 g) - 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder - 1 tbsp unsalted butter, plus extra for the plate and your hands - 1 pinch salt - 100 g chocolate sprinkles, you may have some left over ## Equipment - Heavy-bottomed non-stick saucepan - Silicone spatula - Large plate - Shallow bowl - Mini paper cases (optional) ## Instructions 1. **Get ready.** Butter a large plate. Put the chocolate sprinkles in a shallow bowl and set out mini paper cases, if using. 2. **Cook the fudge.** Put the condensed milk, cocoa powder, butter and salt in the saucepan and stir with the spatula until smooth. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with the spatula and scraping the bottom and sides, for 10-15 minutes. It is ready when it is thick and glossy, comes away from the pan as one mass when you tilt it, and a line drawn through it with the spatula stays open for a few seconds. 3. **Cool.** Scrape the mixture onto the buttered plate and spread it out a little. Leave it to cool to room temperature, about 1 hour, until it is firm enough to roll. To speed this up, chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes once it is no longer hot. 4. **Roll.** Butter your hands lightly. Scoop about 2 tsp of the mixture at a time and roll it between your palms into a 2.5 cm ball. Re-butter your hands every few balls so the mixture doesn't stick. 5. **Coat and serve.** Roll each ball in the sprinkles, pressing gently so they stick, and set it in a paper case. Serve at room temperature. ## Tips - Keep the heat at medium-low and never stop stirring. Condensed milk scorches quickly, and burnt bits will spoil the whole batch. - A heavy non-stick pan and a silicone spatula make it much easier to scrape the bottom clean as the mixture thickens. - If the cooled mixture is too soft to roll, it was undercooked. Return it to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes more. - Choose sprinkles made with real chocolate if you can find them; they make a big difference to the flavour. - Most chocolate sprinkles are gluten-free, but a few brands contain wheat, so check the label if you need to avoid gluten. ## Variations - Beijinhos (coconut kisses): leave out the cocoa, stir 50 g desiccated coconut into the mixture at the end, and roll the balls in more coconut. - Darker chocolate: stir 50 g finely chopped dark chocolate into the hot mixture as soon as it comes off the heat. - Different coatings: roll in cocoa powder, finely chopped toasted nuts or desiccated coconut instead of sprinkles. - Brigadeiro de colher: cook for only 6-8 minutes so the mixture stays soft, then spoon it into small cups and eat it with a spoon. ## Storage - Fridge: Keep in an airtight container at cool room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 1 week. Let chilled brigadeiros stand for 15-20 minutes before serving so they soften. - Freezer: Freeze in a single layer, then transfer to a container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. ## Nutrition per serving (estimate) | Calories | Protein | Carbohydrates | Fat | |---|---|---|---| | 150 | 3 g | 23 g | 5 g | ## Frequently asked questions ### What are brigadeiros? Brigadeiros are a Brazilian sweet made from sweetened condensed milk, cocoa and butter, cooked into a soft fudge, rolled into balls and coated in chocolate sprinkles. They are served at almost every Brazilian birthday party. The name is widely said to come from Brigadier Eduardo Gomes, a Brazilian presidential candidate in the 1940s. ### How do I know when the brigadeiro mixture is ready? Tilt the pan: the mixture should slide away from the bottom as one thick mass. Drag the spatula through it, and the line should stay open for a few seconds before closing. This usually takes 10-15 minutes over medium-low heat. ### Why are my brigadeiros too soft or too hard? Soft, sticky brigadeiros were undercooked. Return the mixture to the pan for a few more minutes. Hard, chewy ones were cooked too long or over too high a heat. Next time take them off the heat as soon as the mixture pulls away from the pan. ### Can I use chocolate instead of cocoa powder? Yes. Many Brazilian cooks use a sweetened chocolate drink powder, and some add chopped chocolate. Unsweetened cocoa gives the deepest chocolate flavour and balances the sweet condensed milk. You can also add 50 g chopped dark chocolate at the end for a richer brigadeiro. ### Can I make brigadeiros ahead of time? Yes. Roll and coat them up to 2 days ahead and keep them in an airtight container at cool room temperature, or refrigerate them for up to 1 week. They also freeze well for up to 3 months. ## Disclaimer - Nutrition information is an estimate based on the listed ingredients. It changes with the brands, portion sizes and swaps you use. - Read ingredient labels for allergens and for diet claims such as gluten-free or vegan. Products and their ingredients can change. - Cooking times are a guide, since ovens, air fryers and slow cookers all run differently. Use a food thermometer and cook meat, poultry and fish to the safe internal temperatures in government food safety guidance. - This recipe is general information, not medical or nutrition advice. If you have an allergy, a health condition or a special diet, check with a qualified health professional.