This is the most common sweet in Brazil, and it’s really easy to make, but it will really impress those who don’t know that. Trust me: I can barely make pasta, but I got marriage proposals with this one.
You will need:
1 can of condensed milk
1 soup spoon of butter or margarine
4 soup spoons of cocoa powder
Chocolate sprinkles (or more cocoa powder if you prefer)
Just chuck the condensed milk, butter and cocoa powder into a pan over a medium flame.
Keep stirring while the mixture boils and turns into a sticky fudge (about 15 minutes).
Let it cool down and roll the fudge into bite-sized balls with your hands.
Cover the balls with the chocolate sprinkles (or cocoa powder) and serve.
Tips:
This will easily make a large plateful: if you want to make more, just multiply the quantities.
Add a couple of drops of liqueur or brandy if you want that special tang.
If you can’t be bothered to make the balls, just serve the fudge up with some cake, fruit or ice-cream.
Also check out my recipe for Beijinhos – the equally successful coconut version of this dessert.
Some fun facts:
In Brazil, this dessert is known as the Brigadeiro. The story goes that it was created by mesmerized housewives to support the presidential campaign of the notoriously handsome brigadier Eduardo Gomes. As this all took place during WWII, fancy ingredients were in short supply, which is why the recipe is so simple. Unfortunately for Mr. Gomes, his candidacy wasn’t as successful as the dish: he never won the election.
