Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Brigadeiro- Brazilian Truffles


Brigadeiro: 

Brigadeiro – Brazilian Chocolate Truffles

Probably the national dessert of Brazil they look like balls of chocolate similar to truffles. A thick mix of condensed milk, butter and chocolate powder is rolled into small balls and cooked. Once cooled, they are covered in chocolate sprinkles like a truffle. They are named after a Brigadier that helped stop a communist coup in Rio.


I chose to include brigadeiro not only because it is so popular and highly regarded in Brazil but also because I have tried this delicious desert myself. In fact I had my Brazilian boyfriend make it for me one night for desert. I did not have the pleasure of watching him make it, because he made it before I came over, but it was quite good. As an American, I think it tastes very different from chocolate truffles, which is the closest thing that they are comparable to in America. The texture and consistency is very similar, but I think they taste more chocolaty and sweeter. The good thing about Brigadeiro is that you have the freedom to put whatever topping you like on it! Top it with coconut, almonds, sprinkles, chocolate chips, or anything else you like.

The version I had was different from traditional Brigadeiro in the sense that it did not come in little round balls. Instead, it was just in a dish. I have never tried the Brigadeiro in ball form,  but I’m sure it tastes very similar.
 
http://stumblingoverwords.blogspot.com/2011/03/about-brigadeiro.html - this is more what I ate looked like, only with chocolate sprinkles on top.

 Recipe on how to  make Brigadeiro:

Ingredients


2 cans (14 oz each) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)
1/4 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup chopped pistachio nuts
1/3 cup chopped sliced almonds
1/3 cup shredded coconut
1/3 cup chocolate candy sprinkles
1/3 cup colored candy sprinkles
More stores

Directions


  • 1 Grease large shallow pan or platter with butter. In 4-quart nonstick heavy saucepan, heat condensed milk, cocoa and 2 tablespoons butter to boiling, stirring constantly with wooden spoon. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook 10 to 15 minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick and shiny and starts to pull away from bottom and side of saucepan when pan is tilted. Pour mixture into shallow pan; cool completely (refrigerate to firm up faster).
  • 2 Place remaining ingredients in separate small bowls. Use teaspoon or melon baller to scoop truffle mixture, then use greased hands to shape into 1- to 1 1/2-inch balls. Roll each ball in pistachios, almonds, coconut or sprinkles. Place in mini paper baking cups.
  • 3 Store tightly covered at room temperature up to 2 days or in the refrigerator up to 1 week.

EXPERT TIPS


Expert Tips


To make rolling the balls easier, chill the truffle mixture in the refrigerator until firm before scooping and rolling it.

Toast the almonds and/or pistachios, if desired, before rolling the truffles.

Put a variety of truffles in small gift boxes for friends and family.


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