Brazilian Fudge Balls

My family loves fudge.  It is one of those treats that they just never get tired of, like ice cream.  So I am always looking for new fudge recipes to make.  When I saw these fudge balls on Erin's blog Making Memories...One Fun Thing After Another, they looked so good, and I knew I had to make them. 


Let me first tell you about Erin's blog.  It is one of my favorite blogs.  She is so funny and upbeat, and she truly is making wonderful memories for her children with all of the creative craft-making ideas that she comes up with.   If you have young children, or even if you don't, you should definitely check out her blog.  You will find a host of  adorable and fun crafts to make.  Every holiday, you can be sure she will think of tons of great ideas.  She also features many decadent and delicious desserts.  She makes all of the things I love to eat, usually loaded with chocolately goodness:)  


This fudge was very simple and really delicious.  It is a little different than the traditional fudge that we are used to here.  It has more of a chewy texture, almost like a soft caramel.  But we all agreed it was delicious.  In fact, I thought it was quite addicting and kept going back for more.  


Erin found the fudge on Manu's blog Dessert First  which is another really nice blog that I have just been introduced to and looking forward to reading.  Manu also featured a vanilla fudge ball recipe.  So I decided to make that as well.  If you are looking for a little treat to make for Valentine's Day, give these a try.  I think you will enjoy them.


To make the fudge balls:  Place 1 can of sweetened condensed milk, 1/4 cup of good quality dark chocolate chips, 1/4 cup of good quality milk chocolate chips (I did not have milk chocolate chips; so I just broke up a Hershey bar and used some of that.), and 1 tablespoon of butter into a pan.


Cook over medium heat until the chocolate and butter are melted, stirring constantly.

 Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for another ten minutes, stirring constantly so that it does not burn.  You will notice the mixture getting thick.  It is ready when you can run a spatula through it and it makes a space between the mixture.


Allow the mixture to cool slightly in the pan.  You can allow it cool completely in the pan.  Once it was cooled a little, I placed the fudge in a bowl and refrigerated it for about 20 minutes.  It was very easy to handle this way.  When it is completely cool, grease your hands with butter, and roll the mixture into tiny balls.  I made mine about 1 inch.  Drop the balls into sugar, sprinkles, or jimmies and roll the balls around until completely coated.  


If you would like to make the vanilla fudge balls.  The procedure is the same just without the chocolate.  So you will place one can of sweetened condensed milk in a pan with 1 tablespoon of butter.

 Heat on medium until the butter is melted.  Reduce heat to low and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring frequently, until it is thick enough that you can run a spatula through it and it leaves a track.  The vanilla took a little longer to get thicker than the chocolate.  Allow to cool as above.  Roll into little balls and coat in sprinkles, sugar, or jimmies.  

On Manu's blog, she placed the vanilla and chocolate together, and it looked really pretty.  So I thought it would be fun to make hearts for Valentine's Day.  To do this, roll a chocolate ball in sugar and then a vanilla ball in sugar.

  Then press the two together and form into a heart with your fingers.  Then press the completed heart gently in more sugar.



Brazilian Fudge Balls Making Memories...One Fun Thing After Another  & Dessert First

printable recipe

Chocolate fudge balls:
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup of good quality dark chocolate chips
1/4 cup of good quality milk chocolate chips
1 Tbsp. butter
Sugar, sprinkles, or jimmies (what ever you prefer to roll the balls in).

Place sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, and butter in a saucepan.  Cook on medium, stirring constantly, until the chocolate and butter are melted.  Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for ten minutes, stirring constantly, careful not to burn.  The mixture will slowly become thicker.  It is done when you can run a spatula through the mixture and it will leave a track, or a space, between the mixture (see picture above).   Allow mixture to cool thoroughly.  You can also place it in a bowl and refrigerate for about 15-20 minutes.  When completely cooled, grease your hands with butter, and roll fudge into 1-1 1/2 inch balls and roll in sprinkles or sugar.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Vanilla fudge balls:
Place sweetened condensed milk and butter in a saucepan. Cook on medium, stirring constantly, until the butter is melted. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for ten minutes, stirring constantly, careful not to burn. The mixture will slowly become thicker. It is done when you can run a spatula through the mixture and it will leave a track, or a space, between the mixture (see picture above). Allow mixture to cool thoroughly. You can also place it in a bowl and refrigerate for about 15 minutes. When completely cooled, grease your hands with butter, and roll fudge into 1-1 1/2 inch balls and roll in sprinkles or sugar.  Refrigerate until ready to serve. 



I am linking these up to Sweets For Saturday and Regional Recipes!