Brazilian Brigadeiro

This candy is named after a renowned Brazilian politician of the 1920's, Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes. He was an Air Force brigadier general who first gained notoriety for playing a part in quashing a communist coup in Rio. He later ran unsuccessfully for the presidency in 1946 and 1950, during a brief breeze of democracy which blew after WWII in Brazil. The name of the candy is that of his rank, Brigadeiro. Now, why would anyone name candy after an army general? Well, back in 1922, he was tall, dark-haired with blue eyes. AND SINGLE!!! The Brigadeiro campaign slogan was “Vote no Brigadeiro que é bonito e é solteiro”. Or the other version “Brigadeiro Brigadeiro, e melhor porque e solteiro”. Today, brigadeiro candy is a must have in any birthday party and kids love them.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 20

Ingredients

• INGREDIENTS

• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1  tablespoon margarine
• 3  tablespoons cocoa powder
•  chocolate sprinkles, to decorate (or jimmies)

Directions

1. PREPARE:
2. Cook over medium-low heat, stir vigorously the sweetened condensed milk, margarine and cocoa powder.
3. Cook the mixture until it thickens enough to show the pan bottom during stirring.
4. Pour the mixture in a greased dish and let it cool to room temperature. Take small amounts of the mixture with a teaspoon and make 1 ½ inch balls.
5. Roll the balls over chocolate jimmies to decorate.
6. Hint: Grease your hands with margarine to make the balls easily.
7. If the balls don't hold the shape and flat down like coins, it means that you did not cook enough. Cook additional five minutes, take a small sample and dip it in a glass with cold water. If you cooked enough, this sample should hold the shape after cooling down in the water.
8. The cheapest , low grade sweetened condensed milk is the best to make the brigadeiro because they have more starch on them, which helps the candy to hold the shape.
9. In US, buy the sweet condensed milk from the Walmart brand "Great Value", cook this brand for 20 minutes in medium heat stirring continuously and your brigadeiro is with the right consistency.