Brigadeiros

Brigadeiros are Brazilian chocolate- fudge truffles made with three ingredients, traditionally eaten at all kinds of celebrations. They’re easy (and not messy) to make and you can roll them either in the traditional sprinkles or in chopped nuts – pistachios work really well. MAKES ABOUT 30-35 25g salted butter, plus extra for greasing 1 x 397g tin condensed milk 25g cocoa powder chocolate sprinkles or chopped nuts for rolling KITCHEN KIT 30-35 mini paper cases 1 Grease a baking tray or large plate with butter. 2 Empty the tin of condensed milk into a large heavy-based saucepan and add the butter. Sift over the cocoa powder and stir briefly with a spatula. 3 Place the pan over a medium heat (not too high or the mixture will catch on the bottom of the pan). Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, for 10 minutes, making sure you scrape the bottom of the pan with a silicone spatula as you stir so that it doesn’t stick. When the mixture is ready it should be very thick and glossy, and when you drop a spoonful of the mixture back into the saucepan it should hold its shape for a few seconds. Pour the mixture into the buttered baking tray or plate and spread it out thinly before placing in the fridge to cool completely. This should take about 30 minutes if you’ve spread it thinly. 4 When the mixture is set and cool enough to handle, grease your fingers with butter, take pieces of the mixture and roll them into small balls. You should be able to make 30-35 brigadeiros. Roll the balls in chocolate sprinkles or chopped nuts before placing in mini paper cases. They will keep well for a few weeks in an airtight container; so they make perfect gifts.