Brigadeiro + Bicho De Pe' Recipe

This weekend was a pretty lazy one, the lighting was too poor for what I wore photo's so I spent most of the weekend catching up on some much needed R&R, crafting, and shooting a few vids. I also experimented with a few recipes, and these little truffle like confections were one of them.

These are Brigadeiro's, and the little pink candies are Bicho De Pe'. They are really popular Brazilian candies, and they are extremely easy to make! It took me all of 35mins from start to finish, and the payoff was delish. They are extremely sweet with a truffle-like consistency, and they can be tweaked to your liking! The possibilities are endless. The Bicho De Pe' is flavored with Strawberry gelatin instead of the cocoa powder, which gives it an interesting contrast.

I made a few different varieties; Almond Chocolate [w/Almond Extract] covered in finely ground Almonds - Orange Chocolate [w/Orange Extract & Grand Marnier] covered in Chocolate Sprinkles - Lemon Coconut [Lemon Extract] covered in Sweetened Coconut -

I purchased those little tiny candy cups from my local Bakery Supply shop for a mere $.99. I got cute little boxes to put them in to give them away to friends and family, [because I REFUSE to eat all of these alone] those were only $.25 a piece.

Would I make these again? Definitely, but not as often as I would like, as they are super sweet, and extra "chocolate-y", and I am not much of a choco-holic.

Brigadeiro Recipe [Yields: 2 Dozen - Adapted from numerous sources around the web]

1 14oz Can Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
2 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder [The traditional recipe calls for Nesquik, but then that would be SUPER sweet]

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir CONTINUOUSLY for about 10-15 minutes or until the mixture forms a thick batter [the batter should NOT stick to the pan]. It's very important that you stir this mixture consistently as you do not want it sticking to the pan.

Once this mixture has reached a thick dough-like consistency, pour it in a bowl and cool completely.

**Note: if you plan on adding various flavors like I did, divide the dough into separate bowls, and add 1/8 scant teaspoon of your extract of choice [mix thoroughly]

After your mixture has cooled, you will need to "butter" your hands to prepare for forming the truffles. Take a tablespoon of brigadeiro dough, and form even 1" balls. Roll them in your coating of choice [or leave them as-is].

Eat immediately, or store in refrigerator. Brigadeiro's keep for up to two weeks [although I doubt they'll last that long]!

Bicho De Pe' Recipe:  [Yields: 2 Dozen]

1 14oz Can Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
1/2 of a Strawberry Jello package [the small one]

The instructions for cooking the mix is the same as the Brigadeiro recipe. The only difference is that I did not add any extract to the mix. I topped each Bicho De Pe' with a little bit of coconut, and others with a tiny helping of ground almonds.

Enjoy!