Comfort Food Of Brazil

Brigadeiros are rich, colorful Brazilian candies that bring delight to many. In Brazil they are commonly found in abundance at children's birthday parties as a form of celebration, similar to birthday cakes in America. While brigadeiros can be mandatory for some to celebrate children's events, they also make an appearance at all kinds of adult events, too, as well as at home. In Sandra Cuza's The Art of Brazilian Cooking she states, "The mere thought of brigadeiro will bring a sparkle to the eyes and a smile to the lips of Brazilian to whom this sweet is a comfort food from earliest memories" (Cuza 222). Chances are if you make brigadeiros for someone who is feeling down you can brighten up their day.

The recipe for brigadeiros is quite simple with only three ingredients. Brigadeiros are made with one can of sweetened condensed milk, four tablespoons of powered unsweetened cocoa, and one tablespoon of butter. The ingredients are mixed thoroughly at medium heat, stirred constantly with a wooden spoon until the bottom of the pan appears with each scrape. After the mixture thickens, roll the mass into small balls with oiled hands (Cuza 223).


Brigadeiros simple base allows for them to be rolled in a variety of toppings to please many different tastes. Classic brigadeiros are rolled in colorful or chocolate sprinkles. They can also be rolled in coconut flakes, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, chopped nuts, or crystallized sugar. However you decide to decorate the candies, the many varieties of these treats are sure to satisfy any chocolate lover.

Whether you're using brigadeiros for celebration or for comfort, they're sure to bring joy to any occasion. In Brazil there are many other comfort foods that are also used for celebration. Upon this realization I began to wonder: what are some celebratory comfort foods found in America? 

Cuza, Sandra. "Meat." The Art of Brazilian Cooking. N.p.: Pelican, 2012. 186-87. Pint.