Matcha Brigadeiros

I have big plans for Valentine’s Day. Here’s the list:

1. Going to work and writing on hot pink post-its instead of the blue ones I usually use
2. Skipping my workout at the gym and going straight to the sauna because #selfcare
3. Making peanut butter cream cheese frosting and then eating it with a spoon

I’d say it’s shaping up to be one of the best Valentine’s Days to date. Okay, perhaps not the best. But certainly not the worst. It couldn’t be worse than the Valentine’s Day when even my parents rejected me. Quick story for those who are interested in laughing at my expense (it’s chill, I’m here for it too).

So it was my sophomore year of college, and I was gearing up for another loveless Valentine’s Day. Loveless aside from the love of my parents, who continue to shower me with affection despite the fact that I still call them to ask stupid questions like, “What’s fabric softener?” and “How do I put air in my tires?”

Hopeless folks, I am hopeless. Except in the kitchen.

So anyway, I received my annual Valentine’s Day package from my parents which included a big bag of pastel M&Ms. There were little personalized messages on each, which was a very nice touch. Shouts out to Momma Bear.

So I started to look a little closer at the messages on the M&Ms, and this is what they said:

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Sweets for a sweetie (Kinda lame, but I’ll take it)

Love you Claire (That’s not my name…)

Claire Bear (Again, my sister’s name, ????)

So then I was getting a little desperate and decided I had to call my sister because I figured she must have gotten the Teresa-themed M&Ms. But it turned out that Claire had also gotten Claire-themed M&Ms.

 So I promptly emptied all the M&Ms into the trash can and broke down sobbing. Just kidding, I ate them all. No one lets M&Ms go to waste on my watch.

Anddddd here we are with a recipe for something that is decidedly not M&Ms, but they’re arguably (definitely) tastier. They’re brigadeiros, which are basically Brazilian truffles with a soft, caramel-like consistency. Classic brigadeiros made with cocoa or Nesquik powder are excellent, but I really dig this take on them. With such a simple list of ingredients, the matcha really shines. The bitterness of the matcha also cuts the sweetness of the brigadeiro, which can otherwise be a little cloying.

Plus these brigadeiros look so damn festive covered in little pink hearts. I’m sure they would also look great covered in little black souls as well. It’s really your call.

Anyway, here’s the recipe!

Print Recipe

Matcha Brigadeiros

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

20 minutes

Passive Time

1 hour

Servings

brigadeiros

Ingredients

• 1 can sweetened condensed milk 40 ounces
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp matcha
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup white chocolate

Prep Time 15 minutes Cook Time 20 minutes Passive Time 1 hour Servings brigadeiros Ingredients 1 can sweetened condensed milk 40 ounces 2 tbsp butter 1 tbsp matcha 1/4 tsp salt 1/3 cup white chocolate

Instructions

1. Combine butter and condensed milk in a small sauce pan over medium-low heat. Once butter is melted, add matcha and salt and stir until fully incorporated.
2. Stir regularly, about every minute or so, for ten minutes. Add the white chocolate and stir until melted and incorporated.
3. Keep stirring each minute until the mixture has thickened enough that it does not immediately come together after you stir, about 3-5 minutes.
4. Remove from heat store in a container in the fridge for approximately 1 hour to allow the brigadeiros to cool.
5. To form the truffles, rub a small amount of butter on your hands, and shape teaspoonfuls into 3/4 inch balls. Roll in sprinkles, coconut, or chocolate shavings.
6. Give them to your sweetie or just eat them because you need love too.