Brigadier

Directions

• Prepare all the ingredients before starting, as the brigadeiro is quick to make, and you don’t want to waste time looking for something while it’s cooking.
• In a thick-bottomed pan, add the butter, condensed milk and cocoa powder. 
  Mix all ingredients well.
• Place the pan over low heat. 
  It is important to stir constantly to prevent the brigadeiro from burning at the bottom of the pan and to ensure that it cooks evenly.
• Cook the brigadeiro until the mixture starts to come away from the bottom of the pan. 
  This may take 8 to 12 minutes depending on the heat. 
  When you pass the wooden spoon or spatula through the mixture and it starts to show the bottom of the pan, the brigadeiro is almost ready.
• Turn off the heat and continue stirring the mixture for a few more seconds so that it does not continue cooking with the residual heat from the pan.
• Transfer the brigadeiro dough to a plate greased with butter so that it cools more quickly. 
  Spread the dough into a thin layer.
• When the dough is cool enough to handle, grease your hands with butter to prevent the brigadeiro from sticking to them.
• Make small balls with the dough. 
  The size of the balls is up to you, but the traditional size is about 1 inch in diameter.
• Dip the brigadeiro balls in chocolate sprinkles, if desired.
• Place the balls in paper cups to serve, if you prefer.
• Your brigadeiro is ready to be enjoyed! 
  Let it cool completely before serving so that it reaches the ideal consistency.