Pistachio Brigadeiro is a chic twist on the classic Brazilian sweet, offering a nutty, creamy indulgence perfect for special occasions or everyday treats. These bite-sized delights feature a silky ganache made by cooking sweetened condensed milk, butter, and pistachio cream until thickened, then rolling the mixture into teeny spheres. Rolled in finely chopped pistachios, each piece is lush and vibrant. With a compact prep time and no need for baking, these truffles are easy to make — yet impressively elegant. Enjoy the rich pistachio flavor and delicate texture that melts in your mouth.
1 can (397 g) sweetened condensed milk
~20 g unsalted butter (plus extra for rolling)
100 g pistachio cream
¼ tsp salt
~100 g finely chopped pistachios, for coating
Combine base ingredients: In a medium saucepan, add the condensed milk, butter, pistachio cream, and salt. Stir constantly over medium heat.
Cook until thick: Continue stirring as the mixture thickens—it should pull away from the pan bottom and become shiny and fudgy (about 10–15 minutes).
Chill: Pour the thickened mixture into a buttered bowl and let cool in the refrigerator until firm enough to handle, about 2 hours.
Form balls: Lightly butter your hands. Scoop out small portions and roll into 2–3 cm (¾–1 in) balls.
Coat: Roll each ball in chopped pistachios until fully covered.
Serve or store: Place in mini paper liners. Store in the fridge for up to two weeks (or at room temperature for 2 days). Let come to room temp before serving.
Estimates based on typical brigadeiro data and pistachio, 24 pieces per batch
Calories: ~100 kcal
Carbohydrates: ~12 g
Protein: ~1 g
Total Fat: ~6 g (saturated 2 g)
Cholesterol: ~10 mg
Sodium: ~35 mg
Dietary Fiber: <1 g
Sugar: ~12 g
Calcium: ~25 mg
Iron: ~0.3 mg