No Brazilian birthday party is complete without brigadeiros, small, soft chocolate truffles of condensed milk and cocoa served in tiny paper cups. The name is a military rank. The usual story ties the sweet to the 1945 presidential campaign of Brigadier Eduardo Gomes, whose supporters are said to have sold the candies to raise funds. He lost the election; the sweet won the country.

Three main ingredients, one pan and about fifteen minutes of stirring. Roll them during a quiet stint of the race, and they will be gone by the checkered flag.

The brigadeiro mixture

Ingredients

• 1 can (14 oz / 397 g) sweetened condensed milk
• 2 tablespoons (12 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon (14 g) unsalted butter
• 1 pinch fine salt

Method

1. Put the condensed milk, cocoa, butter and salt in the saucepan over medium low heat and stir until the cocoa is fully mixed in.
2. Keep stirring constantly with the spatula, scraping the bottom and corners, for 10 to 14 minutes. It will bubble gently and thicken.
3. Scrape onto the buttered plate, spread out and leave to cool completely.

Rolling

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (80 g) chocolate sprinkles

Method

1. Butter your hands lightly. Scoop teaspoons of the mixture and roll between your palms into balls about 3/4 inch (2 cm) across.
2. Drop each ball into the bowl of sprinkles and roll it around until fully covered, then set it in a paper cup.

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