Chocolate: A Delightful Guilty Pleasure

I discovered the delectable pleasure of chocolate when I was pregnant with my first child. Some people say chocolate is the main reason to celebrate Valentine’s Day. I don’t believe that’s true but I agree that many of us are chocolate lovers. We like chocolate, and we want to enjoy it again and again. It definitely stimulates the brain's pleasure centers!

Some experts claim they know why people like chocolate. Despite if there is a scientific explanation for its popularity, chocolate is here to stay. It has been consumed for more than 2,000 years because it tastes good. It is not a surprise it means “food of the Gods” in Latin.

In my opinion, chocolate is definitely a “food of the Gods”! My older daughter has a birthday this week and to celebrate we are going to make her favorite chocolate dessert: Brazilian Fudge Balls. I would like to share this delicious recipe with you:

Brazilian Fudge Balls
Ingredients:

1 can (14oz) of sweetened milk (NOT evaporated milk)
1 ½ Tbs of unsalted butter
4 Tbs of cocoa powder
Chocolate sprinkles


In a heavy sauce pan add the condensed milk and 1 table spoon of butter. Add one table spoon of cocoa at the time and mix well. Over medium-low heat, stir the mixture constantly until it thickens and you can see the bottom of the pan when you scrape it. Let it cool to room temperature. Grease the palm of your hands with the remaining butter and roll the mixture into 1 inch balls. Roll the fudge balls into chocolate sprinkles and place them in candy paper cups. It makes about 40 fudge balls.


Tip: Before it cools off, place a small ball of fudge in a glass filled with cold water. If it holds the shape after a minute or so, you have cooked it long enough. If it changes to a coin like shape, you should cook it for an additional five minutes and repeat the test until you get to the desired consistency.


Variation: the fudge balls can be rolled into diced nuts, sugar sprinkles or coconut flakes.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!


"There's nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with chocolate."
Linda Grayson