How to cook the perfect brigadeiros for Valentine’s Day

Brigadeiros are soft, chocolatey treats and a staple of Brazilian celebrations; Olivia Mesquita calls them national treasures, and Camila Hurst says “It’s basically not a party without them.” Quick and simple to make from everyday ingredients, they also work well as a last-minute gift.

Plain cocoa powder gives a less intensely sweet result than hot chocolate powder, and Mesquita uses dark chocolate while Leticia Moreinos Schwartz suggests combining the two. Many recipes use tinned condensed milk and butter for richness; the Carnation condensed milk recipe swaps margarine, which hints that a vegan version might be possible with plant-based condensed milk.

Schwartz recommends an optional spoonful of double cream to mellow the sweetness, and a little salt is useful. You can flavour the mix with vanilla, cinnamon or coffee, stir in crushed biscuits, fruit or nuts, and coat the finished balls in cocoa, ground nuts, chocolate flakes, desiccated coconut or colourful hundreds and thousands.

Brazil

brigadeiros, brazil, condensed milk, dark chocolate, cocoa powder, hot chocolate, vegan, double cream, desiccated coconut, cinnamon