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Brazilian brigadeiros

Try this super simple recipe and make some traditional Brazilian sweets.
Plan a session with this activity

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You’ll need

  • Pans
  • Spoons
  • Bowls
  • Measuring spoons
  • Stoves and fuel
  • Ingredients (see below)

Before you begin

  • Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Additional help to carry out your risk assessment, including examples can be found here. Don’t forget to make sure all young people and adults involved in the activity know how to take part safely.
  • Make sure you’ll have enough adult helpers. You may need some parents and carers to help if you’re short on helpers.

Setting up this activity

  • Remember to ask your group if anyone has any allergies or dietary requirements before the session and adjust the recipe accordingly
  • You could ask the group to find out some information about other Brazilian traditions or foods to share during your meeting too.
  • The name brigadeiro is linked to Brigadier Eduardo Gomes, one of the candidates for a presidential election in Brazil in the 1940s.
  • The doce de brigadeiro (brigadier’s sweet) became popular as women at the time sold them in support of the presidential campaign. The name was eventually shortened to just brigadeiro.
  • These tasty treats are traditionally made (and eaten!) at children’s birthday parties and other celebrations like weddings. They’ve remained popular because they’re really easy to make.

 

Make some brigadeiros

Ingredients

  • 1 can condensed milk
  • Four tablespoons cocoa powder
  • One tablespoon butter or margarine
  • 50g chocolate sprinkles

Prep time: 5 mins

Cook time: 30 mins

Serves: 6

  1. Add the condensed milk, butter, and cocoa powder to a pan and mix everything together.
  2. Light your stove and put the pan on to heat the mixture. Stir it well so that the ingredients dissolve. It’s ready when it begins to peel off the bottom of the pan, this usually take about 15 minutes.
  3. When it’s ready, pour the mixture out into a bowl and let it cool. You can put the mixture into the fridge or freezer so that it cools quicker. Be careful that you don’t raise the temperature and ruin other food inside.
  4. When it’s cool enough to handle, spread your hands with a little margarine or butter and form the brigadeiros (the balls) one by one.
  5. Roll each ball in the chocolate sprinkles and arrange them on a plate.
  6. Eat and enjoy!

Reflection

This activity was about being an international citizen and learning about different foods, festivals and culture in another country. Ask everyone to think about the session and share some of the things they’ve learned.

The activity was also about trying new things, had anyone tried a traditional brigadeiros before? What did everyone think of the ones they made together?

In Brazil, brigadeiros have a historical memory – but they’re also a popular part of many celebrations.

What foods do people associate with special occasions? People could think about birthday cakes, Diwali sweets, or sheer khurma at Eid. Does anyone have a special celebration food that other people may not have heard of?

Sometimes people come up with their own traditions. If you made your brigadeiros in an online meeting, challenge everyone to share them with their family or friends after the meeting’s ended.

If you made them in a face-to-face meeting, why not make a few extra for everyone to take home? Ask everyone to find something to celebrate with the people they share their brigadeiros with.

Maybe they could share some of the things they’ve found out about Brazil, too.

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

Cooking

Teach young people how to use cooking equipment safely. Supervise them appropriately throughout. Make sure it’s safe to use and follow manufacturers’ guidelines for use.

Fires and stoves

Make sure anyone using fires and stoves is doing so safely. Check that the equipment and area are suitable and have plenty of ventilation. Follow the gas safety guidance. Have a safe way to extinguish the fire in an emergency.

Food

Remember to check for allergies, eating problems, fasting or dietary requirements and adjust the recipe as needed. Make sure you’ve suitable areas for storing and preparing food and avoid cross contamination of different foods. Take a look at our guidance on food safety and hygiene.

Instead of using chocolate sprinkles, you can coat the brigadeiros in multicoloured sprinkles, chopped nuts, or coconut. You could also swap out the cocoa powder for 50g of grated coconut.

Remember to ask your group if anyone has any allergies or dietary requirements before the session.

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.

Beavers International Activity Badge
Cubs International Activity Badge
Scouts International Activity Badge
Explorers International Activity Badge

Why not ask everyone to do some research into another international food and culture and prepare a dining experience for their friends or families?