Dec 2

Dec 2 Boozy Brigadeiros

Brigadeiros are a traditional candy in Brazil and we had them every Christmas and gathering, perfect little jewels of fudgy chocolate. While researching them, I discovered that my grandmother made them with a unique filling, a cognac soaked raisin. I totally consumed these throughout my childhood and loved the way they tasted. She swears by the soaking process, the longer the better, the raisins kind of melt when you bite into them. They are super simple to whip up, any good Brazilian household will always have a can of condensed milk in the pantry so these can be whipped up whenever the mood strikes. Tons of people actually don’t even roll them, just scoop the “dough” and eat it straight off the plate. Traditionally, these would be rolled in chocolate sprinkles but I love to mix it up to match the occasion and since it is Christmastime, I busted out the red, white, and green sprinkles.

I will be making all kinds of flavors but wanted to start with the traditional. These are so fun to go crazy with the flavors, I have made and loved a Mexican Chocolate with chipotle and cinnamon. Just you wait!

Boozy Brigadeiros

1/4 cup golden raisins
3 Tablespoons cognac
1 can sweetened condensed milk
3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter + more for greasing plate
pinch of salt
container of sprinkles of choice

- In a small jar, combine the raisins and cognac and let sit at least overnight.

- In a saucepan, combine the condensed milk, cocoa, butter, and salt over medium heat and stir occasionally. Once it forms into a dough consistency, remove from heat. Grease a plate generously with butter and pour the mixture onto the plate. Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.

- Once firm, cover your hands in butter and scoop a scant tablespoon and spread into a disk. Place 1-2 cognac soaked raisins in the center and roll the mixture around them into a ball. Then roll in sprinkles until completely covered.

- Place in a mini muffin or candy cup and continue until you are done. Makes about 20-24 balls. Store in the fridge.

5 ingredients to make a decadent bite - plus your soaked raisins

Just look at these jewels. If you want to leave them out, totally good, you just have the traditional Brigadeiro then. Sometimes, my grandmother would make them without the raisins to keep it “kid-friendly”.

Throw the butter and condensed milk into a pot.

salt and cocoa powder to the mix. I don’t get anything fancy, just good ole Hershey’s cocoa but do whatever you love.

Cook on medium heat, stirring frequently, until it looks like this, holding together, like a dough. Then take it off the heat for a minute.

Spread it in a liberally buttered plate or dish then cover and chill.

Grab your sprinkles, raisins, and little candy cups. Butter your hands up too or spray them with oil, this is super sticky so you need something to help it not get stuck.