The () is a traditional
Brazilian dessert. The origin of the dessert is uncertain, but the most common theory is that it was created by a confectioner from
Rio de Janeiro, Heloisa Nabuco de Oliveira, to promote the presidential candidacy of
Eduardo Gomes
Air Marshal Eduardo Gomes (20 September 1896 – 13 June 1981) was a Brazilian politician and military figure. He was born in Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.
Gomes joined the army when he started his course at the Realengo Military Sch ...
. It is made of
condensed milk
Condensed milk is cow's milk from which water has been removed (roughly 60% of it). It is most often found with sugar added, in the form of ''sweetened condensed milk'' (SCM), to the extent that the terms "condensed milk" and "sweetened condens ...
,
cocoa powder
Cocoa may refer to:
Chocolate
* Chocolate
* ''Theobroma cacao'', the cocoa tree
* Cocoa bean, seed of ''Theobroma cacao''
* Chocolate liquor, or cocoa liquor, pure, liquid chocolate extracted from the cocoa bean, including both cocoa butter and ...
,
butter, and
chocolate sprinkles covering the outside layer.
It is a popular confection throughout the country, especially for festive events. are commonly made at home, and also found in bakeries and snack shops. A is generally shaped into small balls covered in chocolate sprinkles and placed in a small cupcake liner. The mixture may also be poured into a small container, and eaten with a spoon, and this is known as a (literally, "spoon "). can be found now in different countries as a result of Brazilian migration.
In recent years, flavor and coating variations on the traditional chocolate have become popular. This variation of flavors and easy manipulation of the original dessert lead into a trend of different recipes, such as cakes, tarts, ice cream or even bread.
History
The origin of the name "Brigadeiro" is linked to the presidential campaign of
Brigadier Eduardo Gomes,
UDN candidate for the Presidency of the
Republic
A republic () is a "state in which power rests with the people or their representatives; specifically a state without a monarchy" and also a "government, or system of government, of such a state." Previously, especially in the 17th and 18th c ...
in 1946. Heloísa Nabuco de Oliveira, a member of a traditional ''
carioca'' family who supported the brigadier's candidacy, created a new confection, and named it after the candidate. The ''doce do brigadeiro'' (lit. brigadier's candy) became popular, and the name was eventually shortened to just "brigadeiro." Women at the time would sell brigadeiro in support of the presidential candidate as it was the first national election in which women were able to vote.
Despite the support received, Eduardo Gomes was defeated, and the election was won by then General
Eurico Gaspar Dutra.
In the South of Brazil, brigadeiros are most commonly known as ''negrinhos'', and one researcher traced its origins back to the 1920s, when condensed milk by
Nestlé started being sold in Brazil.
Gallery
File:BrigadeiroBrazil.jpg, Regular chocolate brigadeiro
File:Brigadeiro - Flickr - Rod Senna.jpg, Close-up of a brigadeiro
File:Brigadeiro de chocolate branco 20190209.jpg, White chocolate brigadeiros
File:Brigadeiros decorados.jpg, Brigadeiros with multiple differently flavored sprinkles
File:(2014-11-22) Brigadeiro Real - Fernandópolis - Brigadeiro de banana Romerito Pontes (15684235667).jpg, Banana
A banana is an elongated, edible fruit – botanically a berry – produced by several kinds of large herbaceous flowering plants in the genus ''Musa''. In some countries, bananas used for cooking may be called "plantains", distinguis ...
brigadeiros
File:Brigadeiros.jpg, Variety of brigadeiro flavors
See also
*
Beijinho
*
List of Brazilian sweets and desserts
*
Bourbon ball
*
Chokladboll
*
Chocolate truffle
*
Rum ball
References
External links
Brigadeiro recipe (in English)
{{authority control
Brazilian confectionery
Chocolate desserts