Brigadeiro is a Brazilian fudge made with condensed milk and chocolate. These Brigadeiro Cupcakes are an overload of indulgence. Moist chocolate cupcake, brigadeiro buttercream frosting, topped with a brigadeiro fudge ball.
Pre-heat oven to 350F. Line a 12-cupcake pan with cupcake liners or grease it with butter and flour.
Sift flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl.
In another bowl, mix coffee, vinegar, vanilla and oil. Pour dry mixture over wet ingredients. Whisk briefly, until incorporated. Be careful not to overmix. As soon as you see no more streaks of dry mixture, stop whisking.
Distribute batter evenly in cupcake pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes.
Remove and let it cool.
Brigadeiro
Place condensed milk, chopped chocolate of preference, and butter in a medium saucepan.
Over medium-high heat, cook the mixture, constantly stirring. Seriously, don't stop stirring.
You are going to cook this mixture for approximately 15-20 minutes.
Depending on what you're using your brigadeiro for, you might want it to be softer or firmer. Since we are using it to make fudge balls, and then to frost the cupcakes, we want the consistency to be on the firm side.
You will know that the brigadeiro is ready to go when you tilt the pan over and all of the brigadeiro comes out from the bottom of the pan easily.
Remove brigadeiro to a heat proof bowl. Let it cool down. Cover with plastic wrap and leave it in the fridge for a few hours.
Once you are ready to shape the balls, take the brigadeiros out of the fridge. Save 1 1/2 cups (520 grams) of it to make the buttercream. The rest can be shaped into balls.
Prepare your work area. Pour some chocolate sprinkles in a shallow bowl.
Grab your brigadeiro bowl, a spoon, some softened butter, and a tray with mini cups spread out, so you have a place to put your brigadeiros after you roll them.
Rub some butter on your hands, so they don't stick.
With the spoon, grab small amounts of the brigadeiro and roll between your hands, making a smooth ball. I used about 1 teaspoon of brigadeiro per ball.
Roll ball in the sprinkles. Place in mini paper cups.
Refrigerate until ready to use.
STORAGE: Brigadeiros can be kept in the fridge for up to 7 days, and in the freezer for up to 2 months, well packaged in an air tight container.
Brigadeiro Buttercream
Remove 1 1/2 cups of brigadeiro from the fridge 2 hours prior, so it has a chance to come to room temperature.
After the brigadeiro has come to room temperature, place it in the bowl of stand mixer.
With the paddle attachment, start creaming the brigadeiro.
Cream it for 1 minute.
Add butter. Cream until incorporated.
Scrape the sides of the bowl down a couple times in between.
With the mixer off, add sifted powdered sugar to the bowl
On low, mix everything until incorporated. Once sugar has been incorporated, you can turn the speed to medium and cream until frosting is smooth.
Add 1-2 tablespoons of milk if necessary, if the consistency is too stiff.
To assemble
Pipe some Brigadeiro Buttercream on top of the cupcakes.
Place a brigadeiro on top.
STORAGE: Cupcakes will keep in the fridge, covered for up to 4 days.