Chewy sweet cashew brigadeiros are packed with rich chocolate and caramel flavor! These festive Brazilian sweets whip up super quick with only a few ingredients. They’re a great recipe for beginners and they taste like they came from a fancy chocolatier!

Brigadeiro truffles are a beloved dessert and a staple in Brazilian culture. This sweet confection is often made for celebrations, parties, and gatherings of all kinds. Like regular truffles, brigadeiros come in a variety of flavors. This version adds a delightful twist by incorporating peanut powder for crunch. You read that right. Peanuts, not cashews, and you’ll see why later on!

Whether you’re new to brigadeiros or a seasoned fan, this cashew brigadeiros recipe is worth a try. Impress your taste buds and transport yourself to Brazil in the sweetest way possible! These creamy, rich, and nutty cashew brigadeiros are hard to resist!

CASHEW BRIGADEIROS: POLITICS AND PEANUTS

It seems that many cultural sweets gained popularity through politics (looking at you, Hertzoggies). Brigadeiros are another one of those desserts. These delightful Brazilian cashew confections have their own political ties!

The name brigadeiro comes from the presidential campaign for Brazilian presidency in 1946. It’s said that a supporter of Brigadier Eduardo Gomes created the confection in his honor. Brigadeiros were originally called doce do brigadeiro (brigadier’s candy). This election was particularly important because it was the first one in which women were able to vote. Women showed support for Gomes by campaigning and selling brigadeiros.

Gomez lost the election but brigadeiros won the hearts of the Brazilian people.

The original recipe contained only a few ingredients such as condensed milk, sugar, and butter. Today, there are hundreds of brigadeiro variations. Cashew brigadeiros, known as Cajuzinho (little cashew), are one popular variation.

But wait, didn’t we say there weren’t any cashews in cashew brigadeiros? What kind of cashew chocolate bonbons don’t contain their star ingredient?!

Well, it comes down to geography. Brigadeiros have roots in Northern Brazil where campaigning happened. Cashews were the primary flavor because they were more readily available. When cashew brigadeiros made their way into Southern Brazil, confectioners started to add peanuts into the mix. Cashews were too expensive to import into Southern Brazil. At first, confectioners mixed peanuts in as a filler. Over time, cashew brigadeiros evolved to contain only peanuts. Now, these Brazilian cashew fudge balls rarely contain actual cashews.

Cajuzinho means “little cashew,” and sometimes bakers will shape cashew brigadeiros into a cashew shape. Other times, the outside gets coated in peanut powder and a single cashew is stuck on top. But for the most part, cashew brigadeiros are only peanut brigadeiros. And hey, if you want to make them with cashews, go right ahead. They’re great, too!

CASHEW BRIGADEIROS: A BRAZILIAN LOVE LANGUAGE

Brigadeiros literally translates to “happiness.” It’s no surprise that you’ll find them anywhere where there’s happiness happening!

Cashew brigadeiros hold a special place in Brazilian culture. These fudgy, nutty, chocolatey balls of goodness represent joy in Brazilian celebrations and special occasions. Cashew brigadeiros are not just a dessert, they’re a representation of hospitality.

Cashew brigadeiros are deeply tied to family traditions. In many Brazilian households, making brigadeiros is a family affair. Children and adults come together to prepare these sweet treats. It’s a time of bonding over the process of making brigadeiros. It’s also a time for families to connect, share stories, and pass on traditions to next generations.

Another cultural significance of brigadeiros is their role in Brazil’s culinary heritage. Brigadeiros are considered a quintessential Brazilian sweet. They’re often used as a sense of patriotism and national pride.

This is partly because cashew brigadeiros–and other variations–are made with simple and affordable ingredients. They’re also a reflection of resourcefulness and creativity. A few inexpensive ingredients can come together to make a decadent and beloved treat.

Cashew brigadeiros also represent the diversity of Brazil’s regional cuisines. While the classic recipe calls for plain or cocoa flavored caramel, there are many different variations. Each variation represents unique flavor profiles unique to each region. When you enjoy a brigadeiro, you’re enjoying a piece of Brazilian identity. Each candy is a small kiss from a facet of Brazilian culture… an experience you’ll want to have often!

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR MAKING PERFECT CASHEW BRIGADEIROS

As with any variation, keep in mind these few tips when making the best cashew brigadeiros:

Use Quality Ingredients: Using few ingredients means you’ll taste every ingredient. Not all condensed milks are created equal. The quality of cocoa powder matters, so use a good brand. And when it comes to peanuts, use a good quality peanut. Regular skinless peanuts are commonly used, but red-skinned peanuts are the best for desserts!

Cook the Milk Enough!: Many bakers don’t cook the milk enough to make a truffle consistency. If you’ve chilled the dough and it’s still too wet to roll, you can cook it again or you can eat it as is. Brigadeiro batter is often eaten as a pudding, called “spoon brigadeiro.”  Add the peanuts on top and it’s a spoon version of cashew brigadeiros!

Cashew Brigadeiro Rolling techniques: Make sure to thoroughly chill the candy before rolling. Use a spoon to scoop out the candy and roll it into a rough ball. Grab a handful of crushed peanuts and press the peanuts gently into the ball to help them stick. You want it to be fully coated. You also want an even coating, so don’t be afraid to chop the peanuts more if needed.

Wet Your Hands Before Rolling: Bradeiros are sticky. The dough should be soft where it will hold it’s shape, not runny. If you’re having a hard time rolling the dough, wet your hands with a little water before rolling. This will help loosen the caramel from your hands while still helping you mold the perfect truffle.

Cashew Brigadeiro Decorations: This recipe uses the simple rolling technique. You can also coat the cashew brigadeiros in peanut powder and decorate with a a small cashew stem.

MAKING CONDENSED MILK FROM REGULAR MILK

Condensed milk is an ingredient that isn’t readily available around the world. If you live in a nation where you can’t buy it, making it at home is super easy!

If you’ve never heard of condensed milk, it’s exactly as it sounds. This thick, creamy mixture contains whole milk that has been reduced with a bit of sugar. It’s an ingredient used quite often in North/South American baking. It’s also used around the world in coffee.

If you can’t find condensed milk in your regular grocery stores, try checking local Asian and Latin markets. If you still can’t find it, try making it at home.

Quick Instructions for Making Condensed Milk:

In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, add in 5 parts whole milk to 2 parts sugar. Heat the mixture over medium heat and stir with a spatula until it thickens. The color will go from bright white to a soft cream color. If the mixture starts to burn at the bottom, lower the heat and continue stirring. The milk is condensed enough when it falls from the spoon in ribbons.

When it’s done, turn the flame off and add in a pinch of baking soda. Transfer to a heat-safe bowl and press a piece of cling film over the top of the surface.* This will prevent a skin from forming on the mixture. Allow to cool to room temperature. Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 1 month.

*If you’re using condensed milk for Cashew Brigadeiros, portion out 14oz. of milk and leave it in the sauce pan. Begin following the directions for Cashew Brigadeiros recipe.

SERVING AND STORING CASHEW BRIGADEIROS

Cashew brigadeiros are a great recipe to keep in the freezer! These cashew chocolate truffles can be made in advance and stored until ready to use.

As with any dessert, keep them in an air-tight container. This helps control moisture and air quality while storing. If you have a softer brigadeiro dough, I recommend storing them in paper liners to keep their shape. If you have a firmer dough, they stack well when tossed into a container.

You can fridge cashew brigadeiros in an air-tight container for up to a month. They freeze well and keep in the freezer for 3-6 months. To thaw, leave them in the sealed container for 12 hours before opening the lid. This helps control condensation and prevents the cashew brigadeiros from wilting.

Can I freeze unrolled brigadeiros?

Yes! You can absolutely freeze the dough and roll it later on. This is perfect for when you’re not sure what kind of decorations for brigadeiros you want to use.

If you plan on making large batches of brigadeiros, portion out the candy into smaller pieces. Once they’re defrosted, they shouldn’t be re-frozen. Defrost one portion at a time and roll in whatever coating you’d like. Common coatings for cashew brigadeiros are peanuts and chocolate sprinkles, but you can be as creative as you want!

VARIATIONS FOR CASHEW BRIGADEIROS

This recipe is pretty straightforward. It contains the standard chocolate brigadeiro recipe with the addition of cocoa and peanuts. If you’d like to try some of the other flavor combinations, start with just the butter and milk. Then, add your flavor combos of choice. Here are a few places to start:

Coconut Brigadeiros: Taking a nod from infamous alfajores, coconut brigadeiros mix caramel and coconut for a yummy combo!

Coffee Brigadeiros: Add in 1 teaspoon (or two!) of instant espresso powder to the mixture. Perfect for my fellow coffee addicts!

Lemon or Lime Brigadeiros: Citrus helps add a sour punch to these sweet bonbons. Add in the zests and juices of two citrus fruits of choice!

Pumpkin Brigadeiros: Add 3/4 cup of canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) for an autumn twist. Add a half teaspoon of cinnamon and a tablespoon of panela to take the flavor up a notch!

Brigadeiro Filling Options

Brigadeiros can sometimes have fillings to make them even more spectacular! Here are a few filling ideas to get you started:

Fruits: Dried strawberries, pineapples, and papaya add a fruity flair! You can even fill brigadeiros with fruit jams or jellies!

Nutella: Hazelnut spreads like Nutella have gained some popularity. Try freezing small dollops of Nutella and covering it with brigadeiro batter for a decadent twist!

Peanut Butter: Like with Nutella, freeze small portions and cover with the candy.

Nuts: Whole almonds, cashews, and peanuts are great to stuff inside brigadeiros. They add a surprising crunch inside!

CASHEW BRIGADEIROS RECIPE

Yield: 18

BRAZILIAN CASHEW BRIGADEIROS

Print

Chewy sweet cashew brigadeiros are packed with rich chocolate and caramel flavor! These festive Brazilian sweets whip up super quick with only a few ingredients. They’re a great recipe for beginners and they taste like they came from a fancy chocolatier!

Ingredients

• 1 (14oz) Can of Condensed Milk
• 1 Tablespoon of Butter
• 3 Tablespoons of Cocoa Powder
• 1 Cup of Crushed Peanuts, Separated

Instructions

1. In a non-stick ceramic pan, add in the condensed milk, butter, cocoa powder, and 1/2 cup of crushed peanuts. Cook over medium to medium-low heat, stirring constantly.
   
2. Cook the mixture until it condenses even more and begins to thicken. You’ll see it start to clump up in the pan. When it starts pulling away from the sides of the pan, you’ll know it’s done. Pull it off while there’s still some moisture to it–before it becomes one solid mass.
   
3. Pour the mixture into a heat-safe container and chill until cooled, about 2-4 hours.
   
4. Once the dough is thoroughly chilled, roll it into balls. Use a spoon to scoop out about 1 tablespoon portions of the candy. Roll the candy into little balls and set aside. If the dough is too sticky, wet your hands with a little bit of water.
   
5. Once rolled, toss the candies into the remaining crushed peanuts. Depending on the stickiness of your dough, you can press the peanuts into the truffles.

Notes

Store at room temperature for up to a week, fridge for up to a month, and freeze for up to 6 months.

HOW YOU CAN CELEBRATE WITH CASHEW BRIGADEIROS

At Olivia Goes Global, we believe every day has something wonderful to celebrate! We love to make cashew brigadeiros any time of the year, but they’re especially perfect for holidays, weddings, and birthday celebrations. Add these brazilian cashew brigadeiros to your confectionary routine in honor of Brazilian culture!