Brigadeiro: Brazilian caramel-like candies

Image courtesy allrecipes.com
These Brazilian candies are quick and easy!!!

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 tablespoon butter
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1.In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine cocoa, butter and condensed milk. Cook, stirring, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let rest until cool enough to handle. Form into small balls and eat at once or chill until serving.


**The above directions were what came with the recipe... slightly vague, so here is a little more detailed explanation.
1.First off, sift your cocoa to break up any clumps... if you dont have a sift, just use a whisk and mix the cocoa until no clumps remain... you can also just mash the cocoa with your fingers.
2. Pour all ingredients in sauce pan and mix well before turning the heat on. I would recommend using a baking spatula.
3. Then crank the heat to medium heat and be prepared to stand there the whole time to stir... just keep stirring, just keep stirring.
4. When you tip the pan a little bit, and the "dough" appears to be loose from the pan, then wait another 2 minutes and then remove from heat... again, stiring the entire duration it is over the heat. (You don't want burnt candy.)
5. Let the dough cool for a few minutes while you lay out a layer of clear wrap. Pour the dough out on the clear wrap and using the spatula, create a thin 1/2 inch layer. (this will help the dough to cool more quickly and evenly.) Slap another layer of clear wrap on top and stick it in the fridge.
6. after about a half hour, get out some butter and the dough. grease your hands up with a smidge of butter and pinch off enough dough to make a small bite-sized ball.
(1/2-3/4 inch round) roll ball in palm of hands... you may have to use your fingers too... the butter can be slippery! ;)
7. once ball is formed, roll in cocoa powder, powdered sugar, hot cocoa mix, crystal sugar, sprinkles, nuts, coconut, just whatever your heart desires!
8. One batch should make about 15-20 balls depending on size.
(Best stored in fridge... makes for a good, chewy texture!)


courtesy allrecipes.com
** modified instructions courtesy ovenlesschef

You can get condensed milk in Asia marts. My asia mart carries a brand called Indo milk... check your local market and read fine print on cans of "milk" products. (I also found some at Home plus, but it is not consistantly on the shelf in the baking section.)