Brigadeiro Brazilian Docinho Food

BRIGADEIRO (BRAZILIAN DOCINHO)

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan mix chocolate with condensed milk and add the margarine. Cook in low heat stirring constantly until you can see the bottom of the pan. Continue to stir for another two minutes. Pour onto a plate and let cool completely before you form the little balls (I usually leave it in the cupboard until next day). Butter your hands slightly to form the little balls. Roll the balls in chocolate powder or jimmies and put them in small paper cups.
• A little cultural note: Have you noticed how many Brazilian recipes are made with condensed milk? It came to Brazil from Switzerland over a hundred years ago. It's made by Nestlé and because the label featured the picture of a milkmaid, the cans became known as the "maid milk' and that's what condensed milk is called to this day (Leite Moça).

BRIGADEIRO

Steps:

• Combine the condensed milk, cocoa powder and butter in a small saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until very thick, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool to room temperature, then roll into twelve 1-inch balls and dip in sprinkles. Alternatively, scoop out spoonfuls (leave in the spoon) and dip the top portion in sprinkles.

BRIGADEIRO

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine cocoa, butter and condensed milk. Cook, stirring, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let rest until cool enough to handle. Form into small balls and eat at once or chill until serving.

CHOCOLATE BRIGADEIROS

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk, 1/4 teaspoon salt, heavy cream, corn syrup and vanilla. When the mixture starts to bubble, add the cocoa powder and chocolate disks. Cook, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula, until the chocolate melts and the mixture pulls away from the sides and slides around the bottom, 10 to 15 minutes. (The mixture should just lightly bubble around the edges while cooking, so reduce the heat if it's cooking too quickly.)
• Without scraping the bottom of the skillet, transfer the mixture to a medium heatproof bowl. Let cool at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate to cool completely before rolling, 3 to 4 hours.
• Grease a small ice cream scoop with nonstick spray. Scoop out 24 equal mounds of the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. (Alternatively, refrigerate for 2 hours, then scoop the mounds and refrigerate on the baking sheet until firm, about 20 minutes. The increased surface area makes the mixture cool faster.)
• Spray your hands with nonstick spray and evenly roll each mound into a ball. Then, it's up to your imagination how to garnish. You can simply roll them in cocoa powder or sprinkles. I think storing them in little paper baking cups make them look adorable as well. These are best enjoyed at room temperature.

BRIGADEIROS

Steps:

• If using store-bought condensed milk, skip to Step 2. If making the sweetened condensed milk from scratch, add the milk and sugar to a large saucepan. Heat over medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally and scraping the sides and bottom of the pan with a spatula, for about 30 to 40 minutes. When the milk reduces to about 1 3/4 cups, thickens to a syrup texture and turns slightly yellow, it is ready.
• Prepare the brigadeiros: Melt the butter in a heavy skillet over low heat. Add the condensed milk, cocoa powder and salt, and whisk until no trace of cocoa remains, about 5 minutes.
• Turn the heat up to medium, and use a heatproof spatula to stir the mixture constantly until it becomes thick and shiny and pulls away from the bottom of the pan as a mass when you drag the spatula across it, about 7 minutes. If you're not sure the mixture is ready, take 1/2 teaspoon of it and run it under cold water. When it's cool enough to touch, squish it with your fingers - it should be the texture of a soft and fudgy caramel.
• Scrape all of the mixture onto a piece of parchment paper, and let it cool down until it's easy to handle, about 30 minutes. Lightly butter your hands, and use them to shape a scant tablespoon of the mixture into a ball or rough cube, then roll it in the sprinkles. Place each one on a paper wrapper, if you like. The brigadeiros will keep in the fridge for 1 week, or in the freezer for 1 month. Serve chilled or at room temperature.