São Paulo, Brazil is one of my favorite stops for two reasons.  First, the incredible street art, and second, the opportunity to learn how to make the BEST Brigadeiro by a true professional!  Gisela, the hostess, drives and guides us through her favorite markets to pick up ingredients.  She teaches the importance of quality as we pick up items to experiment with and head back to her house.  Then, the best part: making this delicious, traditional Brazilian dessert!

Who is Gisela?

Gisela, our amazing hostess, is a beautiful soul from São Paulo, Brazil.  She left her career in investment banking to pursue a degree in Entrepreneurship in the United States.  This was great news for us since she offers her experience in Portuguese (obviously) as well as English.  While she was in school, she started her own business: Gisela Treats in Boston, specializing in (you guessed it!) Brigadeiro.  Her creations of this Brazilian truffle even earned her some amazing appraisal from celebrities like Andrew Zimmerman (the host of Bizarre Foods) and Gail Simmons (a Top Chef judge).  Both claimed that Gisela made the best Brigadeiro they have EVER HAD!  I mean, how cool is that?!

What to Expect

Apparently every Brazilian knows how to make Brigadeiro, so what makes Gisela stand out?  The quality of ingredients and techniques she uses to perfect this dessert is what she shares during this experience.  Trust me when I say, you will want to set aside a whole day for this awesome adventure.  Prepare to walk around markets, cook standing up, mix a lot, and eat a LOT (plan for the sugar crash).  Sweating a little is inevitable if you’re not used to it (like me, ew).  The best part, is that everything you don’t eat, you get to take home!  Save for yourself, gift it to family, or leave a box at the hostel desk for all your new friends. 

Note: her building is not wheelchair accessible as there are a few steps to get in.

Requirements:

• Groups up to three 
• Ages 12 and above
• Mobility is a must (lots of walking and standing)
• Empty belly (you will eat a LOT)

What’s Included:

• Water for the group
• Transportation
• Apron that you can take home if you’d like (we didn’t use it)
• Ingredients
• All you can eat Brigadeiro!

Where does the magic happen?

Gisela’s home base is in Santa Cecília, São Paulo, only a short (less than ten minute) drive from our hostel.  After meeting with her there, we head to Zona Cerealista which she claims to be one of the best places in the city to buy great quality bulk ingredients.  I think she’s right.  It’s affordable and they have almost anything you can imagine.  After spending time talking about quality and the use of certain ingredients, we make our purchases and head to Bondinho.  This speciality store is specifically designed for delicacy chefs and let me tell you, I did NOT want to leave.  Bondinho can solve any chocolate need you could ever have, as well as various other items including ingredients and packaging.  After dragging me out of the store, we head back to her headquarters.

First market

Chocolate store

Prep table

Making Brigadeiro

Obviously, learning the true secrets of making the BEST Brigadeiro requires visiting and hanging out with Gisela for a day.  Here though, I’ll give you the google-able basics for adequate Brigadeiro.

Ingredients list:

• 1 can condensed milk
• 1 tbsp salted butter
• 50g cocoa

Instructions:

• Mix the ingredients together in a hot pan over low heat until it starts boiling.
• Keep stirring for about two minutes. The mix will get less liquid-y and start reaching the brigadeiro texture
  • Note: Do not cook the mixture too much or it will become a hard candy.  On the other hand, if you cook it too little you’ll be able to eat it with a spoon (which is amazeballs).
• After it cools down, spoon out some mixture and roll into a ball.
• Add chocolate sprinkles or anything you want, and as much as you want!
• Mix it up by rolling nuts or fruits into the center of your brigadeiro

These are some of the Brigadeiros that I brought with me on the bus to Brasília from São Paulo.  I say some, because as you can see, I ate one before realizing I never took photos.  Whoops!

So, if you find yourself in São Paulo, Brazil and get the chance, check out Gisela’s awesome Airbnb Experience!  It’s seriously worth every penny.  Also, if you mention my blog she’ll give you a special treat!

Have you ever tried Brigadeiro or even made it with Gisela?  Let me know in the comments below!