Brigadeiro/ Brazilian Fudge Balls

Brigaderio  bite sized  Brazilian chocolate delights, hard to resist

I never ever thought that celebrating my birthday will gives me so much happiness. My birthday was celebrated until my mom was there, but when she left there were no regular celebration. Dad and hubby would even occasionally forget and even I forgot at times and didn’t have any birthday celebration. However last two years hubby is making sure to remember the birthday by putting a reminder in his phone. He told my two little ones that tomorrow is mama’s birthday. My princess was so excited and started pestering me to make a chocolate cake all day long, finally in the evening I made one. Actually I want to make a Brigadeiro for long time, so decide to make one finally.
While I was working in kitchen my daughter and her brother went upstairs with papa, to find some presents for me. She wrapped her teddy bear for me also a small one by her brother. She wrote a happy birthday wishes in small card with her signature. Then she wanted candles, Hubby dug some from the closet. Finally she litterally stuck candles on the cake and ask me to blow. She and her little brother sang the happy birthday song in high pitch. When I cut the cake, they were after the chocolate cake and brigaderio. We enjoyed eating chocolate cake and brigadeiro at the same time.

Brazil is famous for its sweets, soccer and beef; it is also a place in my wish list of place to visit. I don’t know when I can do that, my wish list is growing and nothing has happened. Brigadeiro are Brazilian Fudge Balls. They are simple to make and are delicious. It is little sweet, gooey chocolate wonders covered with chocolate sprinkles.
The history of this treat starts with Eduardo Gomes, a Brazilian Air Force brigadier general who unsuccessfully ran for president way back in 1945. During his campaign, he had volunteers make these fudge balls to hand out. These fudge balls, later came to be known as brigadeiro, it is name of Brigadier in Portuguese. Eduardo Gomes's campaign slogan - "Vote no brigadeiro, que é bonito e é solteiro" (Vote for the brigadier, who's good-looking and single) - didn't grant him victory, in the end he lost his election to Eurico Gaspar Dutra, but sweets on his name continue put the glory even today.

An older version of the recipe uses eggs, however the newer version consists of condensed milk, cocoa powder, butter and chocolate sprinkles, you can also try making with good quality chocolate. Brigadeiro is must for birthday party treat in Brazil, yes whether it is kids or adult they love this candy for their birthday.

Brigaderio are served not only as bite sized balls, but also in tiny cups with small spoon that is called brigadeiro de colher or spoon brigadeiro. This version is mainly served in home. I read that Brazilians use brigadeiro mixture to frost cakes, fill pies and spread over pizza dough. Mainly brigadeiro are made with chocolate however there lot of variations and some are made with nuts etc. There is also a similar treat called Beijinho de Coco (Coconut Little Kiss) which is next in my do list.

If you are chocolate fan like my little ones, especially dark one, then give it a try, it is really easy to make, with can of condensed milk, cocoa powder and butter. Of course chocolate sprinkles to roll, give it try here comes the recipe.

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Swathi

This is Swathi ( Dr. Ambujom Saraswathy Ph.D) from Zesty South Indian Kitchen who loves to explore cuisines from all over the world. Whenever possible I try to to give an Indian touch to several of the world cuisine, and has weakness for freshly baked bread.  All the recipes you see here are created by me and approved after taste-test by my family.