Brigadeiros (Brazilian Fudge Balls)
An iconic Brazilian treat, brigadeiros are easy to make creamy fudge balls, perfect for Christmas or any time of the year you crave fudge.
Servings: 60 brigadeiros
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cups mini marshmallows (or 6 oz. large marshmallows, cut into pieces)
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup whole milk
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 12 oz. bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (or 12 oz. semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips)
- Your choice of: pulverized peppermint candies; cocoa powder; powdered sugar; nonpareil sprinkles; colored sprinkles; finely chopped toasted walnuts; finely chopped pistachios; ground freeze-dried raspberries; matcha powder
Instructions
- Spray 9x9 pan lightly with cooking spray. Line with 2 pieces of parchment paper crossed over each other, leaving a 1 inch overhang. Spray parchment lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
- Combine butter, marshmallows, sugar, milk, and salt in medium sized saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat until marshmallows have melted and mixture is smooth, 6 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove the pan from the heat.4 tablespoons unsalted butter, 3 cups mini marshmallows, 1 cup sugar, ½ cup whole milk, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- Stir in vanilla. Stir in chocolate until melted and completely mixed with marshmallow mixture.1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 12 oz. bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
- Pour mixture into prepared pan. Let cool 30 minutes at room temperature, then refrigerate until set, at least 1 hour and up to 3 days.
- Grasp the parchment paper on each side, and lift the whole piece of fudge onto a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut the fudge into approximately 60 1-inch squares. Place desired toppings into small bowls. With gloved hands (to prevent fudge from sticking to your hands), roll into balls. Roll in toppings.
- Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour. Store in refrigerator in an airtight container with layers of waxed or parchment paper between each layer.
Notes
- Gloves: I usually wear disposable food-safe gloves to roll the balls. You'll find that the fudge tends to get a bit sticky because of your warm hands and the gloves help to prevent the fudge from sticking to your fingers.
- Flavor options: To flavor the fudge to complement the coatings, replace the vanilla with ½ teaspoon pure peppermint extract, ¼ teaspoon pure almond extract, or 1 tablespoon raspberry liqueur, such as Framboise. You can also try adding 2 teaspoons espresso powder when you melt the marshmallows (with the sugar).
- Adapted from Martha Stewart Living December 2019.
Nutrition
Serving: 1brigadeiros | Calories: 63kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 14mg | Potassium: 44mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 29IU | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
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