Wednesday 24th June

Good morning - or bom dia, as they say in Brazil!  

I hope you are enjoying learning a little about Brazil this week.  Although our time together in the classroom ended rather sooner than we planned, I think you were with me long enough to know that I like to find an excuse for cake as often as I can... all in the name of your education, of course! 

Together, we've made chocolate rocks, and tried Portuguese chocolate salami... now it's your turn to try making a Brazilian carnival treat - chocolate brigadeiros!  These little chocolate truffles are delicious but definitely not for every day as they are very sugary indeed!  You can only make these sweets with a grown up's help as you will need to use the cooker.

You will need:

1 397g can of condensed milk

3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tablespoon of butter (plus a little more for greasing)

A pinch of salt

Some chocolate sprinkles 

A grown up to help you 

Method:

1. Grease a plate with some butter (or use non-stick paper)

2. Put the condensed milk, cocoa, salt and butter in a heavy-based saucepan and heat it gently over a low heat, stirring all the time with a wooden spoon.

3.  Gradually the mixture will thicken up - it's very important to keep stirring all the time or it will stick to the pan.  Soon you will be able to see the bottom of the pan when you scrape the spoon through the mixture.

4.  When the mixture is thick like a dough, rather than runny like a batter, give it about a minute more (stirring all the time) and then take it off the heat.  

5.  Carefully tip the mixture onto the greased plate, cool it slightly and then put it in the fridge to set.

6.  When the mixture is completely cold, pull pieces off the dough and roll them into little balls.  You might find it easier (and less sticky) to do this if you put a tiny bit of butter on your hands first.

7.  Roll the balls in the sprinkles so they are covered all over.

8.  You can serve them in mini paper cases, or on a pretty plate... if you can resist them that long!

Enjoy your day!

Best wishes

Mrs Vaqueiro