If you have a sweet tooth and love a treat that’s creamy, rich, and delightfully melt-in-your-mouth, then the White Chocolate Brigadeiros Recipe is exactly what you need in your dessert arsenal. These little Brazilian delights transform simple ingredients into irresistible bite-sized sweets that are perfect for sharing or indulging solo. Their luscious white chocolate flavor combined with the smooth texture of condensed milk creates an amazingly satisfying experience with every bite. Whether you’re new to brigadeiros or a longtime fan craving a twist, this recipe makes it incredibly easy to craft these charming treats at home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of the White Chocolate Brigadeiros Recipe lies in how few yet essential ingredients come together to create something truly special. Each item plays a vital role in texture, flavor depth, or finishing flair, making your final sweets shine both visually and taste-wise.
- Sweetened condensed milk: This forms the creamy base, providing sweetness and helping achieve that signature fudgy consistency.
- White chocolate (chopped or chips): Adds the rich, velvety white chocolate flavor that defines this version of brigadeiros.
- Unsalted butter: Enhances the smoothness and prevents sticking, adding subtle richness.
- Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and complexity to balance the sweetness.
- Pinch of salt: Highlights the flavors and cuts through the sweetness for a more rounded taste.
- White chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or desiccated coconut: These coating options lend texture and a beautiful finishing touch to your brigadeiros.
How to Make White Chocolate Brigadeiros Recipe
Step 1: Combine the Ingredients
Begin by placing the sweetened condensed milk, chopped white chocolate, butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt into a medium-sized saucepan. Using low heat, gently stir this mixture continuously. This slow melting and stirring process ensures the ingredients meld together seamlessly without burning, creating a smooth base for your brigadeiros.
Step 2: Cook Until Thickened
Keep cooking over low heat, stirring constantly to avoid lumps or sticking. After about 15 to 20 minutes, the mixture will thicken and start to pull away from the sides of the pan, a key sign that it’s ready. The texture should be fudge-like and spreadable, perfect for rolling into balls.
Step 3: Chill the Mixture
Once thickened, transfer the brigadeiro mixture to a greased plate or bowl and let it cool completely. To make rolling easier and keep the brigadeiros from sticking to your hands, chilling for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator is ideal.
Step 4: Roll into Balls and Coat
After chilling, grease your hands lightly with butter and scoop small spoonfuls of the mixture. Roll each portion into a round ball, then gently roll them through your choice of white chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or desiccated coconut. This final step adds a delightful texture contrast and makes them look just as good as they taste.
How to Serve White Chocolate Brigadeiros Recipe
Garnishes
While the classic coatings work beautifully, try garnishing your brigadeiros with edible glitter, crushed pistachios, or even a dusting of powdered sugar for a festive look. These simple touches elevate the presentation and can tailor your treats to any occasion.
Side Dishes
Although brigadeiros are often enjoyed on their own, pairing them with fresh berries or a dollop of lightly whipped cream can offer a refreshing balance to their rich sweetness. A cup of strong coffee or tea also complements the creamy flavor perfectly, making your dessert experience even more delightful.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, serve your White Chocolate Brigadeiros Recipe in mini cupcake liners or arrange them artistically on a decorative platter. You can even thread them onto skewers with fresh fruit for a playful dessert kebab. These creative presentations make them as fun to look at as they are to eat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover brigadeiros in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or refrigerate them if you want them to last longer. Keeping them cool helps maintain their texture and prevents melting, especially in warm climates.
Freezing
You can freeze brigadeiros by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transferring them to a freezer-safe container. They freeze well for up to one month and can be thawed in the refrigerator overnight without losing their creamy charm.
Reheating
Brigadeiros are best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, but if you prefer them slightly softer, allow them to come to room temperature naturally. Avoid microwaving as it can alter the texture and cause the coating to melt unevenly.
FAQs
Can I use white chocolate chips instead of chopped white chocolate?
Absolutely! White chocolate chips work just as well and save you the step of chopping. Just ensure they are good quality for the best flavor and texture in your brigadeiros.
Is it possible to make brigadeiros without condensed milk?
Condensed milk is the heart of brigadeiros, giving them their distinctive creamy sweetness and consistency. While substitutions can be tricky, some people experiment with dulce de leche or homemade condensed milk alternatives, but the traditional flavor may vary.
How do I prevent my brigadeiros from sticking to my hands when rolling?
Lightly grease your hands with butter or vegetable oil before rolling. You can also chill the mixture well beforehand, which helps it become less sticky and easier to handle.
Can I substitute the coating with something else?
Definitely! While white chocolate shavings, sprinkles, and coconut are classic, crushed nuts, cocoa powder, or even finely chopped freeze-dried fruit can add interesting textures and flavors to your brigadeiros.
How long does it take to make White Chocolate Brigadeiros Recipe?
The entire process usually takes about 25 minutes, including cooking and chilling time, making it a relatively quick and rewarding treat to whip up any time you crave something sweet.
Final Thoughts
There’s something incredibly joyful about making and sharing the White Chocolate Brigadeiros Recipe. These little bites of happiness are not only easy to make but lovingly fill your kitchen with cozy, inviting aromas. Whether it’s a special celebration or a simple treat for yourself, this recipe is a wonderful way to indulge and impress with minimal effort. So, go ahead and give it a try—you’ll soon discover why these sweet gems have captured hearts around the world.
Print
White Chocolate Brigadeiros Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes plus 30 minutes chilling
- Yield: 20 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Brazilian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
White Chocolate Brigadeiros are a delightful Brazilian treat made with sweetened condensed milk and white chocolate. These bite-sized sweets are creamy, rich, and coated in white chocolate shavings or coconut, making them perfect for parties or as a sweet snack.
Ingredients
Brigadeiro Mixture
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 8 oz white chocolate, chopped (or white chocolate chips)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Coating
- 1/2 cup white chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or desiccated coconut
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, mix the sweetened condensed milk, chopped white chocolate, unsalted butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt over low heat.
- Cook Mixture: Stir constantly with a wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula to prevent burning. Continue cooking the mixture over low to medium heat until it thickens and begins to pull away from the sides of the pan, about 15-20 minutes. This consistency is similar to thick fudge and indicates it’s ready.
- Cool the Mixture: Remove the mixture from heat and transfer to a greased dish. Let it cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for about 30 minutes to firm up and make handling easier.
- Shape Brigadeiros: Once chilled, grease your hands with butter and scoop small portions of the mixture, rolling them between your palms to form bite-sized balls.
- Coat the Brigadeiros: Roll each ball in white chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or desiccated coconut until fully coated.
- Serve or Store: Place the coated brigadeiros in paper cups or on a serving plate. They can be served immediately or kept refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use good-quality white chocolate with high cocoa butter content.
- You can vary the coatings by using crushed nuts or colored sprinkles for different occasions.
- If the mixture is too soft to roll, chill longer in the refrigerator.
- Use a buttered spoon or cookie scoop to portion the mixture for uniform brigadeiros.
