Brigadeiro
The brigadeiro, a dessert from Brazil | |
| Alternative names | Negrinho (in Rio Grande do Sul) |
|---|---|
| Type | Confectionery |
| Place of origin | Brazil |
| Serving temperature | Cold, chilled |
| Main ingredients | Sweetened condensed milk, butter and cocoa powder |
The brigadeiro (Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation: [bɾiɡaˈdejɾu]) is a traditional Brazilian dessert. The dessert was created by a confectioner from Rio de Janeiro, Heloísa Nabuco de Oliveira, to promote the presidential candidacy of Eduardo Gomes. It is made of condensed milk, cocoa powder, butter cooked to soft-ball stage caramel, with chocolate sprinkles covering the outside layer, making the surface non-sticking.
It is a popular confection throughout the country, especially for festive events. Brigadeiros are commonly made at home, and also found in bakeries and snack shops. A brigadeiro is generally shaped into small balls covered in chocolate sprinkles and placed in a small cupcake liner. The mixture may also be poured into a small container and eaten with a spoon; this is known as a brigadeiro de colher (literally, "spoon brigadeiro"). Brigadeiro can be found now in different countries as a result of Brazilian migration.
In recent years, flavor and coating variations on the traditional chocolate brigadeiros have become popular. This variation of flavors and easy manipulation of the original dessert lead into a trend of different recipes, such as cakes, tarts, ice cream or even bread.