Bolo de Brigadeiro - Brazilian Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

• For the cake: For the cake:
• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (100g) unsweetened cocoa powder 1 cup (100g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs 3 large eggs
• 1 cup (240ml) whole milk 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
• 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240ml) boiling water 1 cup (240ml) boiling water
• For the brigadeiro filling: For the brigadeiro filling:
• 1 can (14oz/397g) sweetened condensed milk 1 can (14oz/397g) sweetened condensed milk
• 1/4 cup (25g) unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 cup (25g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• For the brigadeiro ganache: For the brigadeiro ganache:
• 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
• 1 cup (175g) semisweet chocolate chips 1 cup (175g) semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Nutrition

• Calories: 450 kcal / 1880 KJ
• Fat: 20g (Saturated Fat: 10g)
• Carbohydrates: 65g (Sugar: 45g)
• Protein: 7g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 0.6g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. 3.
   Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until well combined.
4. 4.
   Gradually pour in the boiling water while stirring the batter. The batter will be thin, but that's normal.
5. 5.
   Divide the batter equally between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. 6.
   While the cakes are baking, prepare the brigadeiro filling. In a saucepan, combine the sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder, and butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Remove from heat and let it cool.
7. 7.
   Once the cakes are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. 8.
   To make the brigadeiro ganache, heat the heavy cream in a saucepan until it starts to simmer. Remove from heat and add the chocolate chips and butter. Stir until smooth and glossy.
9. 9.
   Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread the brigadeiro filling evenly over the cake layer. Place the second cake layer on top.
10. 10.
    Pour the brigadeiro ganache over the top of the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides.
11. 11.
    Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour to allow the ganache to set.
12. 12.
    Serve the Bolo de Brigadeiro chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cocoa powder — Use unsweetened cocoa powder for the best chocolate flavor.
• Sweetened condensed milk — Be careful not to burn the brigadeiro filling while cooking it. Stir constantly and cook over medium heat.
• Semisweet chocolate chips — If you prefer a sweeter ganache, you can use milk chocolate chips instead.

Tips & Tricks

• To make the cake extra moist, brush each cake layer with a simple syrup made of equal parts sugar and water before adding the brigadeiro filling.
• For a more intense chocolate flavor, add a teaspoon of instant coffee granules to the boiling water before adding it to the batter.
• Decorate the top of the cake with chocolate shavings or sprinkles for an extra touch of elegance.
• If you don't have two 9-inch cake pans, you can use one pan and slice the cake in half horizontally to create two layers.
• Serve the cake with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful combination of flavors.

Serving advice

Slice the Bolo de Brigadeiro into generous portions and serve it on dessert plates. This cake is rich and decadent, so a small slice goes a long way. Pair it with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a glass of cold milk for a perfect indulgence.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation of the Bolo de Brigadeiro, dust the top of the cake with a light sprinkling of cocoa powder or powdered sugar. You can also garnish it with fresh berries or chocolate curls for an elegant touch.