This is my Christmas post.
Because it felt wrong to leave you with a story about spiders.
Because I made Brigadeiros.
Because I first ate Brigadeiros at my Brazilian neighbour’s house, soon after she fed me barbecued chicken hearts. At the time, I much preferred the silky, slighty-chewy, rich, sweetened-condensed-milk-and-cocoa truffles to the offal.
I still do.
Because Christmas is a time of giving, and I made these for the charming C.ZineLady. Six months ago, she was a student of mine, and now she’s a very dear friend. Who is awesome.
Because one can never have too many tried-and-true recipes up one’s sleeve for last-minute holiday baking.
Because I like you guys a lot.
Because I hope your Christmases (Christmasi?) are just a sweet as these chocolate fudge truffles, even if you don’t celebrate Christmas.
Because one Christmas many years ago, my late great uncle Peaches* took his spoon out of his coffee mug and, to test the temperature of the coffee, put the spoon directly onto my forearm.
Because the coffee was almost at boiling temperature and the spoon so hot on my arm that I cried, and because I wish Peaches was still here so that I could tell him I find the scenario hilarious now.
Because before opening our real presents, my brother and I don’t get stockings full of treats. We get pillowcases.
Because there’s something comforting in the sound (tradition) of my parents stressing out in the kitchen about making sure the turkey and vegetables are ready at the same time.
Because I can’t stand Christmas Pudding, so this year I’m making raspberry granita. And because I hope it works.
Because, most of all, Merry Christmas.
Brigadeiros
Recipe from here
Makes 12 -20, depending on the size of your balls.
- 400g can sweetened condensed milk
- 3 tb (60ml) cocoa powder
- pinch salt
- 2.5 tb (50g) unsalted butter, chopped
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- sprinkles, to decorate
1. In a heavy-based saucepan over medium heat, stir together the sweetened condensed milk, cocoa, and salt. Keep stirring for about 15 minutes, until mixture holds the trail when you run a spoon through it.
2. Add the butter and vanilla, and keep stirring until both have melted/incorporated though the fudge mixture, which by now should be glossy and thick.
3. Pour (well, scrape is probably the more accurate term) the fudge mixture into a glass/pyrex/baking dish, cover with foil or gladwrap and put in the fridge for about an hour.
4. While watching the final episode of the BBC Pride and Prejudice with your mother (having banished your non-appreciative brother to another room of the house), roll spoonfuls (2 tsp? 1 tb? Your call) of the mixture into balls, then roll in sprinkles.
5. Many of the recipes I looked at said to use chocolate sprinkles. I’ve always hated those faux-chocolate travesties, though, so went for multicoloured sprinkles instead. This isn’t really part of the recipe instructions.
6. Put each brigadeiro into a mini muffin case, then store in the fridge until the lure of sweet, sweet condensed milk goodness becomes too much.
7. And have a Merry Christmas. Really.
* I should probably tell you that story some time. Suffice to say my great uncle’s “Peaches” nickname was more of sign of my strangeness than his.
I’m totally with you on step 5. Another alternative: colored sugar. Maybe. I dunno. Maybe lavender-vanilla sugar colored purple. And oh my, why have I never heard of these? In 30 years of life?
Probably because you’ve been too busy baking all manner of other delicious treats
I love your idea of the lavender sugar. Going ot have to remember that one!
In my opinion, condensed milk can make just anything taste amazing!
As a lactard, I can’t have it very often, but I must say it does sweeten things considerably
They look like a kid’s dream
Merry Christmas!!
Yes, I think you hit the nail on the head there! I think I liked these more as a kid, when my teeth was even sweeter than they are now
Happy Christmas my beautiful little bumblebee! You are such a gem and I am so lucky to have you in my world
Those look positively delightful and I’m sure they’ll be most appreciated by the very lucky recipient!!
Have the loveliest day tomorrow…much love to you and your family
YAAAAAAAAAYYY CHRISTMAS
Thank you so much my favouriterest crazy running candy baking happy wonderful lovely lovely Lizzi! I hope you had a wonderful day in Canberra with your parents too – and can’t wait to see you SOON
merry christmas hannah – hope you have a good one – am sad to hear of your plum pudding dislike but maybe one day you will come around – it is really delicious – meanwhile I love anything with condensed milk so would love love love these brigadeiros – and would enjoy them every more because the name is so much fun to say
Unfortunately, I think we can safely say I shall never come around to plum pudding. It’s because of the mixed peel, and you know how I can smell orange from a mile away and how it makes me nauseous! Happily, though, I’ve been trying a few “dislikes” lately that I’ve realised I’ve come around to
I think you’d love these – and pretty sure E and Sylvia would too!
How could I not have tried these gorgeous morsels before? They sound so delectable and better still, doable! I hope you have a great Christmas Hannah! One that is full of chocolate and more chocolate
I love that you comment on these being easy and doable when you frequently make incredibly complex and awe-inspiring desserts
Thankfully I did find some chocolate in my presents – I hope your Christmas was wonderfully sweet and happy too!
oh my – lucky I didnt read this before my big truffle making session yesterday or I would have had to make FOUR varieties instead of 3. Have a great day tomorrow – the raspberry granita sounds like a wonderful idea
Ah, I think I’d trade all of these in for just a handful of your cookie dough truffles though
Merry Christmas to you too. These look wonderful. So colourful and lovely. I know two boys in my house who would absolutely love them- maybe I’ll make them for a New Years treat when we get home. I didn’t get to doing my rumballs this year which is a bit of a disappointment for all concerned. One year I really want to make sugarplums, as in visions of sugarplums danced in their head.
With two people who will surely love these, and considering how quickly they come together… yep, I think you do need to make them for New Years! Though now you must tell me what a sugarplum is
This is the recipe I spied (but have yet to try!!) back in 2004.
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/09/06/1094322701836.html?from=storyrhs
OMG. 6 years ago, and I still haven’t done it. I feel ashamed. Maybe I can make them this week? But I’m house sitting, the kitchen isn’t mine, I can’t work out how to use the dishwasher and it’s all getting a bit too hot to be bothered. Although the no bake nature does make them perfect for the Aussie Christmas. The intro even gives the inspiration- Clement Moore’s Night Before Christmas which of course I read again last night.
Oooh, those look delicious! I’d imagined sugarplums to be something complicated and more ostentatious than delicious, like candied flowers or something to that effect. Scrumption nut and fruit-based cookies is definitely something I can get behind. Although I suppose I’ll have to wat until at least 2016 to make them…
These are beautiful. Christmas needs more rainbow decorations! Have a great day with your fam!
Thanks Theresa! It’s been a lovely day – hope yours was just as great, although I wonder if anything could compare with your Festivus!
Briga-what? New to me, but they look yuuummmyyyy!
Merry Christmas Hannah!
Thank you, Alisa! Merry Christmas to you too! I’m hoping to try these with soy condensed milk soon
We so do not stress out. We are a well oiled team. What’s that, Pinocchio?
Actually, I didn’t hear a whisper of stress this year! My nose did, in fact, just grow. But probably it was all my help that kept everything running smoothly, right?
Now that’s a very good reason to make Brigadeiros
Have an awesome one Lovely.
Thank Anna! I hope you had a wonderful day too
Hmm.. looks like I will make this with my 4 y/o girl. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Hannah. Thanks for visiting my blog!
Oh, these would be wonderful to make with a young daughter (or son)! I bet she’ll have a blast rolling the mixture into balls
I usually make rum balls for Christmas and they’re an excellent thing to make with young children too. Lots of fun rolling, then dunking in coconut.
Merry Christmas Hannah! Yeah, I’d prefer these to offal to. Look forward to reading more about your adventures in the new year!
Thanks Leigh! Can’t wait to read more of your kitchen adventures too
How colourful and lovely! & far tastier than chicken hearts. Merry Christmas!
Heidi xo
p.s. raspberry granita sounds be-a-uuutiful!
It not only sounded but looked and tasted beautiful
Merry Christmas to you too my dear!
Looks awesome! And the recipe doesn’t seem that complicated either.
Thanks! It’s definitely a very doable recipe
Merry belated Christmas to you! I just have to tell you how much I adore the gorgeous colors in your photos this time. Well done!
And to you! Thanks Camille – I’m feeling a bit disgruntled with my camera and photography skills at the moment, so this was very nice to read
Well, I think these are some of the best photos you’ve ever posted. So there.
AHH, I’m late. Being on holiday has made my brain turn into mush.
Hope you had a fantastic Xmas, lovely! xx
You’re late? Should I be shopping for tiny little socks, then? (Oh ho ho, I am so hilarious sometimes.) Christmas was lovely, and only would’ve been better had you been there!
Hahaha. If I ever need tiny socks, you’ll be one of the first to know.
I’m going to hold you to that
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