Toffee Chocolate Brigadeiro Balls — Simple, Delicious, and Perfectly Glossy
I never thought making toffee candies at home could be this easy and quick! Thanks to the Brazilians who created this sweet miracle called Brigadeiro — named after Brigadier Eduardo Gomes, a military figure who loved these treats.
For decoration, I highly recommend chocolate flakes (I got mine from Real supermarket) — they add a fancy, elegant look and taste fantastic. If you don’t have flakes, you can use small chocolate candies like the ones I used for these lollipops.
🍫 Ingredients for 8 pieces
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Condensed milk | 170 g |
| Cocoa powder | 1 ½ tablespoons |
| Butter (room temperature) | 15 g (about 1 tablespoon) |
| Chocolate flakes or small chocolate candies | 2–3 tablespoons |
🔪 Preparation Steps
- Mix base ingredients:
In a small saucepan, combine condensed milk, cocoa powder, and room-temperature butter. Stir well until cocoa fully dissolves. - Cook the mixture:
Place saucepan over low heat and cook, stirring constantly for about 5–6 minutes. The mixture will soften initially and then thicken after about 2 minutes. It’s ready when it becomes sticky, clings to the spoon, and peels easily from the bottom (see photo). - Cool:
Let the mixture cool for about 15 minutes until it can be handled without sticking to your hands. It should have a caramel-like, toffee consistency. - Shape the balls:
Lightly oil your hands (or use melted butter) and form balls about the size of Raffaello candies. For kids, make smaller bite-sized balls. - Coat the candies:
Spread chocolate flakes on a plate. Roll each ball in the flakes to coat evenly.
If flakes or candies are unavailable, dust with cocoa powder instead. - Serve or store:
Place candies in paper cups or on a plate. Keep refrigerated or serve immediately.
💡 Tips & Ideas
- The glossy finish makes these candies look professionally made.
- Smaller size is perfect for kids and easier to eat in one bite.
- Try different coatings—crushed nuts or sprinkles work well too.
🧾 Final Thoughts
These homemade Brigadeiro toffee chocolate balls are a delicious, shiny treat that’s surprisingly easy to make at home. Perfect for parties, gifts, or just satisfying your sweet tooth!