BRIGADEIROS
A native of Brazil who came to this country 20 years ago, Swolensky grew up with brigadeiros. A decision to make them for her son’s birthday party four and a half years ago led to her business, Sweet Fairy Brigadeiros.
“It was a big hit,” she said. “People started asking me for brigadeiros. That’s when I got the idea.”
The brigadeiro actually has historical, maybe even political origins. Just as Beef Stroganoff reportedly was named for a Russian count, Swolensky said brigadeiros are named for Brigadier Eduardo Gomes, who was running for president of Brazil shortly after World War II. The brigadier for whom the candy was created wasn’t successful, but the treat most definitely was.
Its ingredients also stem from its post-war origins. Shortages of sugar and milk meant life wasn’t so sweet, so the creators turned to canned sweetened condensed milk, mixed with chocolate and butter. Brigadeiros are said to have been named for Brigadier Eduardogomes,whowas running for president of
Brazil shortly after World War II. The brigadier for whom the candy was created wasn’t successful, but the treat most definitely was. That simplicity led many cooks to whip them up in their kitchens. And they found they could flavor them in myriad ways.
Swolensky said she started with milk chocolate.
“I wanted people to taste the traditional one first,” she said. “Once they tried that one, then I started going for the coconut with plum, chocolate with peanuts, salted caramel …”
Among the flavors currently available on her website, sweetfairybrigadeiros.com, are dark chocolate, coconut, ginger and cinnamon, black and white, dark chocolate with coconut, pumpkin, peppermint, gingerbread and candy cane. Some are coated with chocolate pearls.
Swolensky sells the brigadeiros in various configurations, including a box of six, $18; eight boxes of two, $64; and tower sets in various sizes. All boxes are topped with flowers.
“It took me a long time before I got to the point where I liked the way the box looks,” she said. “I found a great designer. She helped me put it together.”
Swolensky’s background in design also helped her with another brigadeiro element, the vibrant food-safe paper or fabric flower shells in which individual candies can nest.
Swolensky said she does a lot of weddings and corporate events, for which brigadeiros are particularly popular as favors.
Sweet Fairy Brigadeiros and flower shells also are available on amazon. com.
Contact Heidi Knapp Rinella at Hrinella@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0474. Follow @Hkrinella on Twitter.