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Brigadeiro Calories
Brazilian chocolate fudge truffle made with sweetened condensed milk and cocoa
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
Quick answer
1 piece (medium) of Brigadeiro (20 g) has 76 calories. That works out to 380 calories per 100 g. It contains 11.6 g of carbs, 1 g of protein, 2.9 g of fat and 0.4 g of fiber. Its glycemic index is 55 (medium), so it raises blood sugar at a moderate pace.
Brigadeiro Nutrition Facts
Selected: 1 piece (medium) · 20 g
76
KCAL / 20G
Carbs
11.6g
· 4% DV
Protein
1g
· 2% DV
Fat
2.9g
· 4% DV
Fiber
0.4g
· 1% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 61% · Protein 5% · Fat 34%
Brigadeiro nutrition facts table · 1 piece (medium) (20 g)
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 76 kcal | |
| Total fat | 2.9 g | 4% |
| Saturated fat | 1.72 g | 9% |
| Trans fat | 0.04 g | |
| Sodium | 16 mg | 1% |
| Total carbohydrate | 11.6 g | 4% |
| Fiber | 0.4 g | 1% |
| Protein | 1 g | 2% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
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How Many Calories in 1 Medium Brigadeiro?
| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 piece (medium) | 20 g | 76 kcal |
| 1 piece (small) | 12 g | 46 kcal |
| 1 tablespoon (grated) | 18 g | 68 kcal |
| 1 piece (large) | 30 g | 114 kcal |
| 2 piece (double) | 40 g | 152 kcal |
| 3 piece (triple) | 60 g | 228 kcal |
| ½ cup (mini) | 90 g | 342 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 380 kcal |
| 1 cup (whole) | 180 g | 684 kcal |
Calculated from 380 calories per 100 g.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brigadeiro
What does brigadeiro taste like?
Brigadeiro tastes rich, sweet, and chocolatey, with a soft, fudgy texture from cooked sweetened condensed milk. Chocolate sprinkles add a slight crunch to the outside, while the centre stays smooth and chewy.
What is brigadeiro?
Brigadeiro is a Brazilian chocolate sweet made by cooking sweetened condensed milk with cocoa and butter until thick. It is usually cooled, rolled into small balls, and coated in chocolate sprinkles.
How do you make brigadeiro at home?
Cook sweetened condensed milk, cocoa, and butter over low heat, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens and pulls away from the pan. Cool it completely, roll into balls, and coat with sprinkles.
Where did brigadeiro come from?
Brigadeiro originated in Brazil. Its name is linked to Brigadier Eduardo Gomes, a presidential candidate in the 1940s; accounts commonly connect the sweet’s popularity with his campaign.
How is brigadeiro different from a chocolate truffle?
Brigadeiro is made by cooking sweetened condensed milk with cocoa, while many classic chocolate truffles are made from chocolate and cream ganache. Brigadeiro is typically sweeter and chewier, and often covered in sprinkles.
Can you make brigadeiro with cocoa powder instead of chocolate?
Yes. Cocoa powder is a standard ingredient in brigadeiro and gives it a concentrated chocolate flavour. Stir it into the condensed milk mixture before cooking so it dissolves evenly and does not leave dry lumps.
Why is my brigadeiro mixture too soft to roll?
Brigadeiro mixture is usually too soft because it was not cooked long enough or has not cooled fully. Cook it a little longer until it pulls away from the pan, then let it cool completely before shaping.
How do you stop brigadeiro from sticking to your hands?
Chill the brigadeiro mixture thoroughly and lightly grease your palms with butter before rolling. Work quickly, and re-grease your hands sparingly if needed; too much butter can make the finished coating slippery.
How should you store brigadeiro?
Store brigadeiro in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy homemade pieces within a few days. Let them sit briefly at room temperature before serving for a softer, fudgier bite.
Can brigadeiro be frozen?
Yes, brigadeiro can be frozen in a sealed, freezer-safe container. Thaw the pieces in the refrigerator before serving; their texture may be slightly softer after thawing, especially if they were already coated in sprinkles.
Brigadeiro Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamins
B2
0.04mg · 3% DV
B12
0.06µg · 3% DV
B5
0.08mg · 2% DV
Biotin
0.42µg · 1% DV
Minerals
Phosphorus
29mg · 4% DV
Copper
0.03mg · 3% DV
Calcium
26mg · 3% DV
Manganese
0.04mg · 2% DV
Potassium ⭐
51mg · 2% DV
Sodium
16mg · 1% DV
Brigadeiro Glycemic Index
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
How to Burn Off Brigadeiro
To burn the 76 calories in 1 piece (medium) (20 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
What is Brigadeiro?
Brigadeiro is a Brazilian chocolate sweet made by cooking sweetened condensed milk with cocoa, often with butter, until thick enough to roll into small balls. They are commonly coated in chocolate sprinkles and served at birthday parties and other celebrations. The texture is soft, fudgy and slightly chewy, with a deep cocoa flavour balanced by the sweetness of the milk.
Enjoy one as a small treat with coffee or tea; in Brazil, bite-sized brigadeiros are a familiar party sweet, while elsewhere they work well on a dessert table or as an after-dinner nibble. They are energy-dense and provide far more carbohydrate and fat than protein or fibre. Their richness makes a modest portion satisfying, and unsweetened coffee is a good pairing if you want to balance the sweetness.
How Nutritious Is Brigadeiro?
Nutrient density
Low
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Satiety score
Low
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
Is Brigadeiro Processed?
NOVA 3
Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
Does Brigadeiro Contain Allergens?
Contains these allergens:
Which Diets Is Brigadeiro Good For?
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
✓ Suitable
Gluten-Free
— Not suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
— Not suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
Brigadeiro Fat Profile
SATURATED
1.72g
MONOUNSATURATED
0.74g
POLYUNSATURATED
0.1g
Omega 6:3 ratio 8:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (8:1).
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.