These Black Sesame Seed Brigadeiro are an elegant twist on beloved Brazilian Fudgy Balls. With their jet-black hue, nutty aroma, and fudgy texture, they’re the perfect addition to a spooky Halloween spread – or anytime you crave something both familiar and surprising.
Hope you’re all doing well.
Are you ready to try one of my favourite treats, Brigadeiros? Have you ever wondered how the deep, toasty flavour of black sesame seeds could transform the classic Brazilian Brigadeiro? This recipe offers a treat that’s mysterious, rich, and just a little magical. Are you excited to dive into these Halloween Black Sesame Seed Brigadeiro?
What Is a Brazilian Brigadeiro?
Brigadeiro is one of Brazil’s most iconic sweets – soft, chewy chocolate fudge balls made from sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder, and butter, then rolled in chocolate sprinkles. They’re often served at birthdays, weddings, and celebrations of all kinds.
While the classic chocolate version remains timeless, Brigadeiros are incredibly versatile. Whether you pick Candy Cane Brigadeiro, Pumpkin Spice Brigadeiro, Brigadeiro with Lavender, or Licorice Brigadeiro, they will not disappoint you. And, of course, be sure to check the traditional Brigadeiro.
Why You’ll Love Black Sesame Seed Brigadeiro
- Halloween-ready – their dramatic colour and subtle sheen make them perfect for spooky season.
- Nutty and aromatic – black sesame adds an earthy, slightly smoky depth that pairs beautifully with chocolate.
- Fudgy and creamy – smooth and chewy like traditional Brigadeiros, with an elegant twist.
- Easy yet impressive – simple ingredients, no baking, and guaranteed to impress guests.
- A creative take on a classic – a fusion of Brazilian sweetness and Asian-inspired flavours.
What Can You Expect from The Black Sesame Seed Brigadeiro?
Think rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture – dense and smooth like truffles, yet slightly chewy and caramelized from slow cooking the condensed milk. The flavour is an intriguing balance: sweet and chocolatey, but grounded by the deep, roasted nuttiness of black sesame. The dark cocoa and rum add depth, while a touch of butter makes everything silky and luscious. The result is indulgent, moody, and perfect for autumn gatherings.
Ingredients You’ll Need for the Halloween Brigadeiro
- Toasted Black Sesame Seeds – The star of the show! Toasting enhances their nutty aroma. You’ll use them both to make a sesame paste for the fudgy mixture and for rolling the Brigadeiros for a striking finish.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – The base that gives brigadeiros their signature fudgy sweetness and smooth texture.
- Dark Cocoa Powder (Dutch-processed cocoa) – Adds depth and enhances the dark color and flavour, balancing the sweetness.
- Butter – Adds richness, helps achieve that silky, melt-in-your-mouth consistency, and prevents sticking.
- Salt (optional) – a small pinch enhances flavour and balances the sweetness.
- Dark Rum (optional) – adds warmth and a subtle complexity, complementing the roasted sesame beautifully.
How to Make Black Sesame Seed Brigadeiro
The Black Sesame Seed Brigadeiro are easy to make, but need attention and time. Vigorous whisking can count as your arm workout for the day!
First, process one part of the toasted black sesame seeds in a food processor, until fine powder.
Add condensed milk, the sesame powder, cocoa powder, and butter to a heavy saucepan on medium-low heat. Stir constantly with a spatula to prevent sticking and burning. Cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened to your desired consistency.
Then, you need to cool the mixture thoroughly, which takes 1 to 2 hours. However, you can speed up the process by refrigerating the mixture. Once the mixture has cooled, shape small balls and roll them with the remaining sesame seeds.
More Black Sesame Halloween Recipes
Looking for more fun Halloween recipes featuring black sesame seeds? Here are some options I recommend based on my experience and preference:
- Black Sesame Shortbread Cookies
- Black Sesame Date Balls
- Black Sesame Seed Crepes
- Zombie Finger Biscuits (Savoury Halloween Biscuits)
- Black Sesame Seed Oatmeal
- Black Sesame Cheese Balls
- Black Sesame Date Truffles
I hope you like these Black Sesame Seed Brigadeiro – Halloween Brazilian Fudgy Balls, and you will give them a try. If you make these Brigadeiros, please let me know by posting in this thread, sending me an Instagram message, or sharing your photos using the hashtag #havocinthekitchen.
Cheers!
Black Sesame Seed Brigadeiro -Halloween Brazilian Fudgy Balls
Black Sesame Seed Brigadeiros are a twist on Brazilian Fudgy Balls offering a jet-black hue and nutty aroma for a perfect Halloween treat.
16-20
servings15
minutes15
minutes2
hoursKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
1/4 cup (40 g) black sesame seeds, toasted – for the powder
about 1/2 cup (70 g) black sesame seeds, toasted – for the coating
1 can (400 ml or 14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
2 tbsp. (30 g) butter, divided
plus butter for greasing hands3 tbsp. (25 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
a little pinch of salt, optional
a good splash (1-2 tbsp. or 15-30 ml) spiced dark rum, optional
- Equipment:
medium, heavy-bottomed pan or saucepan
wired whisk
spoon or spatula with a long handle, preferably wooden
candy thermometer (optional, for the best result)
Directions
- Using a powerful food processor or grinder, process 1/4 cup (40 g) black sesame seeds into powder; depending on the capacity of your processor, it may look more like a paste, which is perfectly fine.
- Grease a heavy-bottomed saucepan with 1 tbsp. (15 g) of butter (both the bottom and sides).
- Add the condensed milk, sesame powder, cocoa, 1 tbsp. (15 g) of butter, and salt (if using) to the greased pan. Bring to a slow boil over medium heat, stirring constantly with a whisk first.
- After bringing the mixture to a slow boil, reduce the heat to low or medium-low and continue cooking, stirring constantly first with the whisk and then swapping (when the mixture starts thickening) for a spatula, for about 10-12 minutes. Within the first 7-8 minutes or so, you won’t notice any significant changes, but the mixture will soon become creamy and fudgy. It’s essential to continue stirring the mixture even more vigorously, as this is the point at which it can easily burn.
- Pro-tip. If you feel the mixture is boiling too fast or you see little coagulated, caramelized bites (a few of them are totally fine and delicious – unless they are burnt) start to appear, quickly remove the pan from the heat for 30 seconds. Reduce the heat and then return the pan to the stove. Adding a small knob of butter can also slow down the cooking process.
- The Brigadeiro is ready when you scrape the bottom of the pan, and it takes 2-3 seconds for the Brigadeiro to return to its place. For accurate measurement, use a candy thermometer and cook until the mixture reaches 205°F to 208°F.
- When the Brigadeiro mixture is almost ready (after about 10 minutes), add the rum if using and let the mixture simmer for another minute or so.
- Transfer the hot Brigadeiro to a dish or plate, without scraping the sides and bottom too much, and let it cool for about 2 hours. You can speed up the process by refrigerating the mixture.
- Butter your hands lightly, scoop small portions (about 1 tablespoon), and roll into balls then roll in the sesame seeds and repeat.
- Store them in a cool place or refrigerate until serving time. For optimal results, remove from the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving. Refrigerated, the Brigadeiro will last for 4-5 days. Enjoy!
