If you’re looking for a fun, sophisticated treat to serve this Halloween, look no further than Licorice Brigadeiro – a bold, dark twist on Brazil’s beloved fudgy truffles. These bite-sized fudgy delights get an upgrade with the deep, slightly salty notes of black licorice and a splash of dark rum. The result? A decadent, grown-up Halloween candy that’s as unexpected as it is delicious.
Hello, everyone – I hope you’re all doing well!
Today, I am thrilled to share with you a fun Halloween recipe – a twist on the traditional Brazilian sweets, Brigadeiro. Licorice Brigadeiro, anyone?
What’s the Brigadeiro?
The Brigadeiro is a staple of Brazilian celebrations. Made from sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder, and butter, then rolled in chocolate sprinkles, it’s the go-to treat at birthdays, parties, and festive gatherings across Brazil. Its texture is rich and chewy, its flavour unapologetically chocolatey, and it’s loved by kids and adults alike.
Why You’ll Love Licorice Brigadeiro – Brazilian Fudgy Truffles:
- Perfect for Halloween – A dark colour and bold licorice twist fit the holiday vibe.
- Rich and Decadent – Fudgy, chewy, and indulgent with a sophisticated twist.
- Unique Flavour Profile – Licorice and dark rum elevate this beyond typical candy.
- Make-Ahead Friendly – Can be prepared ahead and stored for up to 3 days.
- Great for Gifting or Parties – Easy to package and serve.
Flavour and Texture Profile of the Licorice Brigadeiro
The licorice Brigadeiro is a flavour bomb: rich cocoa base meets the salty-sweet intensity of soft black licorice. The aroma is mild, not overwhelming, but you can add more licorice candy to make the flavour more pronounced.
The texture is chewy and slightly sticky with a melt-in-your-mouth fudge-like finish. The dark rum adds warmth and complexity, while a pinch of salt sharpens the flavours, making every bite layered and deeply satisfying. It’s dark, moody, and indulgently grown-up – just what Halloween deserves.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Licorice Brigadeiro
To make the Brigadeiro with Licorice, you will need the following ingredients:
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – The base of the Brigadeiro; it gives it sweetness, structure, and chewiness.
- Butter – Adds richness, prevents sticking, and helps achieve that silky texture.
- Soft Black Licorice – The star of this twist! Melted into the mixture for a bold, anise-like flavour.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – Provides deep chocolate notes to balance the licorice.
- Salt – Enhances and balances the sweetness, highlighting the complexity of the licorice.
- Dark Rum (optional) – Adds depth and a subtle warmth that complements the licorice.
- Chocolate sprinkles (jimmies) – These are used to coat the finished truffles, giving them a traditional look and adding texture to contrast with the fudgy interior. I used Halloween-theme sprinkles.
How to Make Brazilian Fudgy Brigadeiro
These Licorice Brigadeiro are easy to make, but need attention and time. Vigorous whisking can count as your arm workout for the day!
Add condensed milk, roughly chopped licorice, 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.
Lastly, roll the cooled mixture into bite-sized balls and coat them in the sprinkles.
Pro-Tips
The Brigadeiro recipe is straightforward but somewhat tricky. These tips will help you make perfect fudgy Brigadeiros:
- A heavy-bottomed saucepan distributes heat evenly, reducing the risk of burning.
- Once heated, whisk vigorously and scrape the sides and bottom continuously to prevent sticking and burning. When the mixture is ready, avoid scraping the bottom and sides as those parts may be overcooked.
- Don’t rush. Cook over low heat, or it may burn quickly.
- 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 slow down the cooking process.
Check More Brigadeiro Ideas
- Brazilian Brigadeiro with Lavender
- Candy Cane Brigadeiro
- Christmas Brigadeiro
- Pumpkin Spice Brigadeiro (Fun Halloween Edition!)
- Brigadeiro – Brazilian Sweets
I hope you like these Licorice Brigadeiro – Brazilian Fudgy Truffles, 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!
Licorice Brigadeiro – A Halloween Twist on Brazilian Fudgy Truffles
Licorice Brigadeiro is a bold, dark twist on Brazil’s beloved fudgy truffles, with slightly salty notes of black licorice and dark rum.
16-20
servings15
minutes15
minutes2
hoursKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
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
5-10 soft toffee candy (See Notes)
a little pinch of salt, optional
a good splash (1-2 tbsp. or 15-30 ml) spiced dark rum, optional
1/2 cup (75 g) Halloween-themed sprinkles (jimmies)
- Equipment:
medium, heavy-bottomed pan or saucepan
wired whisk
spoon or spatula with a long handle, preferably wooden
Directions
- Grease a heavy-bottomed saucepan with 1 tbsp. (15 g) of butter (both the bottom and sides).
Roughly chop the licorice candy. - Add the condensed milk, chopped licorice, and 1 tbsp. (15 g) of butter to the greased pan. Bring to a slow boil over medium heat, stirring constantly with a whisk first, then with a wooden spoon or spatula, for about 2 minutes, until the licorice has melted, although it won’t fully dissolve.
- Gently stir in the cocoa powder and salt (if using) and mix to combine. Bring the mixture back to a slow boil.
- After bringing the mixture to a slow boil, reduce the heat to low or medium-low and continue cooking, stirring constantly, 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 Roll it into a small ball. Roll in the sprinkles 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!
Notes
- I used the combination of soft licorice toffee and and soft licorice bites total of 8 pieces, and the flavour was pronounced but still mild. Use about 5 candies for a very subtle flavour and 7-10 for a more pronounced aroma.
