Hazelnut Brazilian Brigadeiro
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Brigadeiros are traditional Brazilian chocolate truffles. In this brigadeiro recipe I’ve added creamy hazelnut spread & rolled the truffles in chopped hazelnuts for a delicious variation on the sweet treat!
This simple chocolate dessert is perfect to share during the holiday season, at birthday parties or weddings! And it’s easy to make with just 5 simple ingredients.
I was originally introduced to these Brazilian treats during the World Cup in Brazil in 2014. I put my own hazelnut spin on these delicious chocolate truffles and they’ve been a hit ever since!
They’re really easy to make and really only require one simple task, stirring, for about 15 minutes. After all the stirring, the chocolate will be thick enough to cool and roll into balls. After the rolling into balls, you can roll them in nuts, candies or sprinkles. Since I added hazelnut spread to this brigadeiro recipe, I decided to also roll them in chopped hazelnuts to double up on the hazelnut flavor!
The only problem with this recipe is that it’s impossible to eat just one! They’re one of the first treats gone at every party I host and if I keep them around the house, Kurt will easily eat a dozen in one day!
These are great for parties and perfect to package up and deliver to friends, family and coworkers around the holidays!
Table of contents
What is Brigadeiro?
Brigadeiro is a traditional Brazilian dessert made of condensed milk, cocoa powder and butter, then rolled in either chocolate sprinkles, nuts or other candies. It’s similar to a chocolate truffle or bonbon.
How to make Brigadeiro
- Add unsweetened cocoa powder, butter, hazelnut spread and sweetened condensed milk to a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Mix the ingredients together and continue stirring for 15 minutes or until very thick.
- Note: this is the most important part! If the liquid is not thick enough, you will not be able to roll it into balls once it’s cooled. If you think it might be too thin, continue stirring the mixture on the stovetop for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until it thickens.
- Once the mixture is very thick, remove it from the heat and set aside to cool for at least 20 minutes, or until cool enough to handle.
- After the mixture has cooled, use a small buttered spoon to scoop out the chocolate. Butter the palms of your hands and roll the chocolate into small balls, approximately the size of a quarter.
- Roll the balls in chopped hazelnuts and place in small candy cups or mini muffin cups.
Can I roll them in something else?
Yes! You can roll the Brigadeiro in almost any kind of nut, sprinkles or candies. You can even try a few variations when you make the recipe to see which one is your favorite! Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- Chopped Peanuts
- Chopped Macadamia Nuts
- Chocolate Sprinkles – the traditional way to make Brigadeiro!
- Rainbow Sprinkles
- Colored Sprinkles for holidays – like red and pink for Valentines Day or red and green for Christmas!
- Shredded Coconut
- Mini M&M’s
- Chopped Pistachios
More hazelnut recipes to try
Craving more hazelnut goodness? Try these other 5 popular Nutella recipes!
- Nutella Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Nutella Muddy Buddies
- Gluten Free Nutella Brookies
- Nutella Rice Krispie Treats
- Nutella Cheesecake Bites
Hazelnut Brazilian Brigadeiro
Ingredients
Instructions
- Add the cocoa, butter, hazelnut spread and sweetened condensed milk to a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Mix together and continue stirring for 15 minutes, or until very thick.
- Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Allow to cool for 20 minutes, or until cool enough to handle.
- Use a small buttered spoon to scoop out the chocolate.
- Butter the palms of your hands and roll the chocolate into approximately quarter sized balls.
- Roll the balls in the chopped hazelnuts.
- Place in paper candy cups or mini muffin cups.
Notes
- If you’d like to roll the chocolate truffles in something besides chopped hazelnuts, I recommend the following sprinkles, nuts or candies.
- Chopped Peanuts
- Chopped Macadamia Nuts
- Chocolate Sprinkles
- Rainbow Sprinkles
- Colored Sprinkles for holidays
- Shredded Coconut
- Mini M&M’s
- Chopped Pistachios
Nutrition Facts
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