BRIGADEIRO - Brazilian Fudge Balls
A favorite birthday treat in Brazil, these chocolate balls which are much like fudge but with a slightly different texture are so easy to make. A quick and simple candy recipe for the family to make (and eat) together.
Brigadeiro
1–14 ounce can sweetened, condensed milk
4 ounces of 60% chocolate bar or semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons butter
Chocolate sprinkles, finely chopped nuts, coconut or other small candies
-Pour the sweetened condensed milk, chocolate and 1 tablespoon of the butter into a medium sauce pan. Stir with a silicon spatula until smooth.
-Place over medium-high heat and stir constantly until beginning to bubble around the edges. Reduce the heat to maintain a slow simmer. Continue stirring until the mixture darkens and thickens. Adjust the temperature if necessary to keep the mixture from burning. You want to slowly caramelize it without burning or sticking. Be careful to scrape the sides and bottom of the pan well.
-After about 6 - 8 minutes the mixture should be quite thick and hard to stir. When you tilt the pot, the mixture should pull away from the bottom of the pot. This is called “ponto de brigadeiro”. Remove from the heat.
-Spread the other tablespoon of butter onto a large plate or the bottom of a large flat bottomed dish. Pour the mixture out onto the prepared plate and and spread it out to cool for about 5 minutes, until cool to the touch.
-Lightly rub your hands with soft butter and take a small amount of the chocolate and roll into small balls, about the size of a walnut. Roll each ball in the sprinkles or nuts coating them well and place each brigadeiro onto a tray lined with waxed paper or into a paper candy cup.
-Serve immediately or keep in a container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Makes 12 - 15 balls.
Place chocolate, milk and butter into a pot and stir vigorously over medium-high heat.
Spread into a buttered dish and allow to cool for about 5 minutes.
Roll chocolate mixture into balls and then roll in sprinkles or nuts. Ready to eat!
