Brigadeiros

Brigadeiros are little balls of chocolatey deliciousness rolled in sprinkles or shredded coconut. The girls were very happy indeed when I produced these a second time in just over a month. I followed a recipe I found in the June 2014 Waitrose magazine.

Brigadeiros
(makes about 20)

• 1 400g can light condensed milk
• 4 Tb cocoa
• a pinch of salt
• 15g (3 Tb) butter
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• chocolate sprinkles or coconut for coating

1. Pour the condensed milk into a small, heavy bottomed pot. Sift in the cocoa powder and salt.
2. Cook over a low heat, stirring constantly, for 10-15 minutes until the mixture is thick, shiny and is starting to pull away from the sides of the pot.
3. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and butter until melted.
4. Let the mixture cool, then cover and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes, or until set.
5. Pour the sprinkles or coconut into a small bowl. Scoop a spoonful of the mixture and roll it into a ball. (It helps to butter your hands first.)
6. Roll each ball in the coating then transfer to a mini cake case.
7. Store in an airtight container in the fridge, but take out fifteen minutes before serving.

Family score: 9.5 out of 10

Tags: Brazilian food, chocolate, condensed milk, gluten-free, South American food, truffles, vegetarian