Winter Blues & Brazilian Bonbons

This winter's exit has been as slow as molasses. It has me feeling worn down, fed up and itching for spring. Flowers and sunshine, I'm waiting.

These little treats remind me of sunflowers. They're actually brigadeiros, Brazilian chocolate truffles. They're made with these two key ingredients:

Sweetened condensed milk and powdered chocolate. Brigadeiros are a staple at children's parties, and you can buy them at any bakery or corner store. Brigadeiros are like the Timbits of Brazil. They taste like a gooey combination of caramel and chocolate.
    

This is what I'm told by the newest addition to our family, Isabella, a 17-year-old exchange student who is staying with us for one semester while she practises her English. She was craving her favourite sweet and whipped up a batch with the kids.

Brigadeiros
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2-3 Tablespoons powdered cocoa (I prefer unsweetened cocoa)
1 teaspoon butter
1 cup sprinkles for decoration

In a medium saucepan, heat condensed milk and butter over low heat for 10 minutes, or until the mixture bubbles gently. Add cocoa and stir until fully dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool completely. (We refrigerated our batch for 30 minutes.)
When the mixture is cold, form into balls. 
Tip: Rub the palm of your hands with butter so the chocolate doesn't stick.
Coat the chocolate balls with sprinkles and place in mini muffin cups.
Yields about three dozen small brigadeiros.