Brigadeiros are popular in Brazil. That’s almost an understatement, but we are indeed always trying new recipes and ways to perfect this national passion. Recently I came up with this tinny “sandwich” ideas using ice cream wafers.

The wafers are ready made (sorry!), so the recipe is actually going to be for the brigadeiros themselves.

Recipe

Yield 20-30 brigadeiros balls • 20-30 min

Ingredients:

• 60g (2 Oz) of bittersweet (60%+) of chocolate chips
• 395g (14 Oz) of sweet condensed milk

Directions:

In a heavy bottom pan (and I really stress this, because it WILL make your brigadeiro better) mix the chocolate chips and condensed milk.

Mix it constantly in high heat until the mix come to a boil. Lower the heat for mid-high/mid and keep mixing it. You should take the mixture off the heat when it comes off the bottom of the pan, when you tilt it, easily. This is somewhat sensitive… but you’ll get it.

Pour your brigadeiro on a tempered glass container to chill.

Once chilled, you can scoop out some and roll on your hands (that should be coated with butter or oil). After rolling your brigadeiro balls put on your wafers (I used Crisps  34o) and voi lá! You have brigadeiro sandwiches! Perfect on their own or with ice cream!

Comments:

Silicone spatulas are the best to mix your brigadeiro. But make sure you have a full body spatula, not those that the head come off.

If you don’t have a heavy bottom pan, just be extra careful with your heat.

“Can I make it with milk chocolate chips? Or white chocolate? What about cocoa powder? What about hot cocoa mix?”

Yes to all, but the portions and ingredients will vary. Bitter chocolate chips (and the bitter the better) will make your brigadeiro less sweet and, for that reason, more enjoyable. Milk chocolate is slim on cocoa, so no ideal but… ok. White chocolate chips are basically only fat, so you should use 25% less. Only have cocoa powder, great! Add some heave cream (1/2cup to 1+1/2 tbs) to the mix to grant the fat needed. Hot cocoa mix, sure… same thing as for the cocoa powder. Cocoa mixes are full of sugar that can make your brigadeiro crack (from crystallization) in a short time.