Brazilian Brigadeiro Recipe

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Recipe 10 of the Christmas Cookies Around the World Holiday Project for Kids: Brazilian Brigadeiro Recipe

If you are looking for a fun way to teach your children about different cultures and celebrate the holidays in your classroom, you can’t go wrong with any cookie recipe in this Christmas Cookies Around the World Series! In this post, we’re talking all about Brigadeiro Cookies and Christmas in Brazil. Brigadeiro Cookies also known as chocolate fudge sandwich cookies are a delicious and scrumptious Christmas cookie to make during the holiday season! They taste amazing and you can even customize your filling.

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GET ALL 12 COOKIE RECIPES AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES WITH THE FULL CHRISTMAS COOKIES AROUND THE WORLD HOLIDAY PROJECT.

This Christmas Cookies Around the World project is a fun way to teach children about Christmas in other countries while tasting some delightful cookies!

The Christmas Cookies Around the World series will help you gently introduce preschool and early elementary aged children to:

World geography
Holiday traditions
Popular cookies from various cultures and parts of the world
Baking skills
Math and measurement

It is also designed to encourage togetherness through baking and kindness through sharing with others.

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Brief History of the Brazilian Brigadeiro

Brigadeiro is a traditional Brazilian dessert that is often eaten at parties and special events throughout the year, including at Christmas. You won’t even need the oven for this easy brigadeiro recipe. The chocolate truffles are made on the stovetop.

It is said that brigadeiro became popular in Brazil after World War II when a political candidate, Air Marshal Eduardo Gomes, who preferred to be called Brigadeiro, and his supporters shared the treats at political rallies and fundraising events.

Fun Facts About Brazil’s Christmas Traditions

Many Brazilian Christmas traditions come from Portugal as Portugal ruled Brazil for many years.
Nativity Scenes, known as Presépio, are very popular.
Most people, especially Catholics, will go to a Midnight Mass service or Missa do Galo (Mass of the Roster).
After the Missa do Gallo there are often big firework displays and in big towns and cities there are big Christmas Tree shaped displays of electric lights.
In Brazil, Santa Claus is called Papai Noel & Bom Velhinho (Good Old Man).
Sometimes children leave a sock near a window. If Papai Noel finds your sock, he’ll exchange it for a present!
Taking part in a ‘Secret Santa’, known as ‘amigo secreto’ (secret friend) is popular in Brazil at Christmas.
Favourite Christmas foods in Brazil include pork, turkey, ham, salads and fresh and dried fruits.

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Videos About Christmas in Brazil

Using this helpful video, find out what Christmas is like in Brazil.

Learn all about the different holiday traditions celebrated in Brazil around Christmas.

Want to know what the difference between Christmas is here and in Brazil? This video will compare them!

Websites for Teaching Kids About Christmas in Brazil

Use this website to find out how Christmas is celebrated in Brazil.

Learn all about the different Christmas Day celebration activities in Brazil with this link.

This article will walk you through how Christmas is celebrated in Brazil.

Books About Brazil’s Christmas Traditions

Christmas in Brazil by World Book

Brazilian Brigadeiro

Brigadeiro Cookies, also known as chocolate fudge sandwich cookies, are a delicious and scrumptious Christmas cookie to make during the holiday season!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Cooling Time 45 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine Brazilian

Servings 24 Cookies

Ingredients

14 oz sweet condensed milk one typical can
1/2 cup chocolate powder cocoa powder or Nesquik
1 tbsp butter plus more for hands
Chocolate sprinkles or your favorite sprinkles
Paper candy cups

Instructions

Prepare your ingredients
Add the condensed milk, butter, and chocolate powder to a medium saucepan and stir.
Cook over medium heat, for approximately 10 minutes, stirring repeatedly. Scrape the sides and the bottom of the pan with a spatula to avoid burning.
The brigadeiro is ready when you scrape the bottom of the pan, and the brigadeiro takes 2-3 seconds to come back to its place (You can also use a candy thermometer or regular food thermometer to check when the mixture reaches 205F.
Pour the hot brigadeiro into a buttered dish or a plate, and let it cool (about 45 min or until cool enough to handle).
Pour sprinkles in a deep plate or bowl.
When the brigadeiro is cooled, butter your hands, and scoop teaspoonful portions and roll little balls.
Roll the little balls in the sprinkles. Then place in candy cups. Keep them in a cool place or in the refrigerator until serving time.

Keyword Brazilian Brigadeiro, Brazilian cookies, Brigadeiro, Christmas Cookies, Cookies

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Get Your FREE Christmas Cookies Around the World Taste Test Recording Sheet

Use the taste test recording sheet to have kids record information about the cookie(s) they tasted and rate how well they liked the cookies. Individual pages can be compiled into a taste test booklet for all the cookies you try in the series, or you can choose to have kids record only their favorite cookie if you prefer.

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Save paper by printing two or four to a page if preferred.

Get the entire 12 Days of Christmas Cookies Around the World project

For those interested in expanding the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies Around the World project into a class or family project we’ve created a 50+ page activity guide to make it super easy for you.

Inside you’ll find:

Quick Reference List of Cookies and Countries
Generic Cookie Taste Test Recording Sheet
Cookie Taste Test Recording Table
Class Graphing Header and Voting Cards
Christmas Cookies Around the World Passport (three versions)
Taste Test Journal
Cookie Recipe Cookbook
Editable Cookie Recipe Page to add in additional family and multi-cultural options
Gift Tags
Notecards
My Family’s Favorite Cookie Recipe (two versions)
Editable Parent Letter (two versions)
Ingredient List by Cookie

The project is designed for use in the classroom, at home, or in community programs. Suggestions and modifications for each setting are included in the resource.

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Get your Christmas Cookies Around the World Project

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This project is also available on Teachers Pay Teachers.

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FAQs

Do brigadeiros need to be refrigerated? ›

How can I storage them? The best way to storage your Mary's Brigadeiro Chocolate is at room temperature in a cool and dry place between 17 and 20 degrees between 5 and 7 days for freshness. If you can't keep them in a cold place, storage them in the fridge for up to 12 days.

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Why is brigadeiro popular in Brazil? ›

A Brazilian Confection. Stoica explains their popularity saying that Brazilians love brigadeiros because they're sweet, beautiful, and easy to eat wherever you are. She goes on to explain, “They're also an essential addition to any celebration or party.

Read On ›

What is brigadeiro in english? ›

Brigadeiros are bite-sized chocolate sweets. Some people say they are bon-bons, other people say they are truffles… I think they come closer to fudge balls.

Is brigadeiro a candy? ›

What is BRIGADEIRO (BRE-GA-DE-RO)? This famous sweet is a type of Brazilian Chocolate Confectionery. It's a scrumptious bite-size (or two) chocolate sweet, very popular in Brazil. It is not a bonbon, it is not a truffle, fudge, caramel, brownie, or a cupcake... it's Brigadeiro!

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Does brigadeiro go bad? ›

Storage: Reserve your brigadeiros in a plastic container covered with a tight lid at room temperature for 3 days or up to 1 month in the refrigerator. Make sure to eat them at room temperature. The brigadeiros won't go bad after 3 days, but they start crystalizing and tasting like sugar after that.

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Why is my brigadeiros sticky? ›

Don't worry - the Brigadeiros will still taste amazing even if the texture isn't perfect on the first try! Why are my Brigadeiros sticky? Brigadeiros are intentionally sticky due to their main ingredient - sweetened condensed milk. Condensed milk is regular milk cooked down until very sweet and thick.

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What is a fun fact about brigadeiro? ›

The word “brigadeiro” comes from Portuguese and refers to the military rank of brigadier. Popular history has it that brigadeiros come from Brazil and were invented by the wife of Air Force brigadier Eduardo Gomes, who was a candidate in their 1946 presidential elections.

Tell Me More ›

What is the most famous dessert in Brazil? ›

Creative and Flavorful Creations, Here Are the Most popular Desserts From Brazil

Brigadeiro. Brigadeiro is a dish loved all over the country and is a staple at celebrations. ...
Beijinho. Beijinho means 'little kiss' and the dish is also called branquinho. ...
Quindim. ...
Canjica. ...
Paçoca. ...
Cocada. ...
Bolo de Rolo.

Nov 28, 2023

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What is the national dessert of Brazil? ›

The brigadeiro (Portuguese pronunciation: [bɾiɡaˈdejɾu]) is a traditional Brazilian dessert. The origin of the dessert is uncertain, but the most common theory is that it was created by a confectioner from Rio de Janeiro, Heloisa Nabuco de Oliveira, to promote the presidential candidacy of Eduardo Gomes.

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What's the difference between a truffle and a brigadeiro? ›

What is the difference between a truffle and a brigadeiro? Brigadeiros are unique in that they are made with sweetened condensed milk. They also do not have a hard chocolate coating, unlike truffles. They are soft in and out, and rolled in toppings.

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How do you fix runny brigadeiro? ›

If the mixture is too soft to roll into balls, try refrigerating it for 30 minutes. If your brigadeiro is still too soft or runny, next time cook it for longer. Fear not though, it's still perfectly edible.

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How long does brigadeiro last? ›

If you're saving some for later, ensure they are refrigerated, best consumed within 12 days.

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When should I eat brigadeiro? ›

Brigadeiros are often served at birthday parties and weddings or simply made at home and spooned directly out of the pot. You'd be hard pressed to find a celebration in Brazil without brigadeiros! They're synonymous with being happy and having fun!

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What candy is not in Brazil? ›

Candy Corn Yes, you'll run into quite a few candy bars and other sweet treats you're used to in Brazil. But of all the candy you won't find, candy corn is among the ones whose absence you'll feel the most, especially if you strongly associate it with childhood memories of fall and Halloween.

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What is Brazil chocolate? ›

There is much more to Brazilian chocolate than its classic ingredients. The mixture of cocoa paste, cocoa butter, and sugar might also reflect sustainable production, technology, quality, biodiversity, and development of rural communities.

Can brigadeiro be left out? ›

How to Store Brigadeiro. You can store brigadeiros at room temperature for a few days, but refrigerate them to extend their life to 7-10 days, especially if you are in a hot and humid climate. Place them in a glass container and make sure they are not squished.

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How long will brigadeiros last? ›

While you can leave brigadeiros at room temperature, in a cool and dry place, for up to 3 days, I like refrigerating them as they last for up to a week in the fridge.

How long do brigadeiros last in the fridge? ›

How long does champagne brigadeiro last? Leftovers will keep well at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week.

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Do dessert truffles need to be refrigerated? ›

Keep truffles in a cool, dark place and keep them dry. Because truffles are generally a much softer consistency than tempered chocolate, it's more likely that you will need to put them in the fridge in warm weather. As with tempered chocolate, make sure the truffles are well wrapped and in an airtight container.

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