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Pumpkin Brigadeiro Recipe (The Perfect Fall Dessert)

This pumpkin brigadeiro recipe is sure to make an excellent fall dessert, but also delicious Halloween treats.

Pumpkin brigadeiro Pinterest graphic

Oh, I love this time of the year. Orange shades, cinnamon, spices, and pumpkins. What’s not to love?

While we don’t really celebrate Halloween in Brazil, as a child, the kids in my school did bring treats to celebrate in class. It was fun.

We would eat lots of sweets and candies (mom wasn’t always happy about it), but we had “our” Halloween.

And by that, I mean an American holiday (originated in Ireland, did you know that?) with Brazilian sweets and desserts. Diversity at its best, I would say.

Pumpkin brigadeiros are tasty Halloween treats
Trick or treats?

Brazilian sweet with a twist

The brigadeiros we used to have weren’t this pumpkin version, though. We don’t really have this culture of preparing many creative dishes with pumpkins.

Most of the desserts we would have were the traditional brigadeiro, beijinho, and quindim. No cinnamon and spices.

Mind you, while the fall in the northern hemisphere happens in the second semester of the year, at the same time, we have spring in Brazil.

Meaning, it’s getting warmer and warmer, and the leaves are as green as they could be.

That’s why I only came up with the idea of making pumpkin brigadeiros with spices once I was living abroad already.

Pumpkin brigadeiros are tasty Halloween treats
Treats, please!

In Europe, I finally learned more about some American celebrations as well as about the seasons of the year. We only have two in São Paulo, after all—a short cold winter and a scorching summer.

Anyway, long story short, I wasn’t feeling confident while preparing this recipe of pumpkin brigadeiro, but once it was ready…omg! It’s delicious!

My husband and I munched for a few long minutes because we couldn’t stop eating it. It’s divine!

This Brazilian candy is sure to be a perfect fall dessert for your family. I hope you like it as much as we did.

So, my dear reader, put your apron on, and let’s get it started!

Your pumpkin brigadeiro recipe

While this recipe is straightforward, I have some tips to make your cooking experience flawless.

If you have any questions, please leave them in the comment area.

Pumpkin brigadeiro is a tasty fall dessert

What does pumpkin brigadeiro taste like?

It tastes like winter. It melts in your mouth like a delicious mix of pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg on a cold day when you’re inside in the warm and coziness of your home.

Is it easy to prepare?

Yes, easy-peasy. This recipe doesn’t require advanced cooking skills or tools. You can prepare it in no time for Halloween or receive guests, especially during fall.

Pumpkin brigadeiro is a tasty fall dessert

Situations where you could prepare this recipe for pumpkin brigadeiro

Naturally, you can make this recipe whenever you feel like eating a tasty finger dessert, but I’ll give you some more ideas:

  • Halloween
  • Thanksgiving
  • Christmas, although serving it on this holiday isn’t really a tradition in Brazil
  • Birthdays
  • Just a cold day when you feel like cooking something quickly

How to store pumpkin brigadeiros?

Store the truffles in an airtight plastic container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

If you want to keep the leftovers, you can freeze them for up to three months.

To unfreeze them, leave the balls inside the closed container for one hour at room temperature. They will be ready for consumption!

Pumpkin brigadeiro is a tasty fall dessert
It’s a perfect sweet for birthdays

What can I serve with pumpkin brigadeiro?

I have a few recommendations right here for your meal options that will pair beautifully with my pumpkin brigadeiro dessert.

Or if you want a pairing for another sweet, there’s a good one in this pave dessert.

Are there other variations of brigadeiro?

Absolutely! We’re always trying new flavors, and so far, we cooked and enjoyed a lot the lemon brigadeiro. Check other brigadeiro gourmets here.

Pumpkin brigadeiro recipe

Pumpkin brigadeiro, the perfect fall dessert

Pumpkin isn’t just for pie. You can try your hand in many different desserts, and this brigadeiro recipe is an easy way to be creative.

A few, let’s say, “brown” flavors accent pumpkin like a charm. Think of maple syrup, cinnamon, chine five spice, and so on.

Tips for making perfect pumpkin brigadeiros

  1. Hurry up! You’ll notice the consistency of this pumpkin brigadeiro isn’t so stiff as the traditional one with chocolate. That’s why you need to roll them quickly before the dough warms up in your hands.
  2. Do it in batches! Roll all brigadeiros, then dredge each one of them while putting it directly in the candy cups. It’s easier!
Pumpkin brigadeiro ingredients
Pumpkin brigadeiro ingredients

How to make pumpkin brigadeiros

As said, this sweet is very easy to prepare. Here are the detailed directions on how to make pumpkin brigadeiros:

Grease a plate with butter and set aside.

In a medium non-stick pan, mix the condensed milk, butter, pumpkin puree, and apple pie spice over medium heat.

Pumpkin brigadeiro preparation
Add the condensed milk, pumpkin puree, and butter to the pan

Stir and cook until it thickens. It should peel away when you scrape the bottom of the pan and reveal it for a brief moment before the mixture levels out again.

Pumpkin brigadeiro preparation
Stir and cook it until it thickens

Remove the mixture from heat and add the vanilla while stirring. Transfer the dough onto a greased plate and let it cool down in the freezer for 30 minutes.

Put the granulated sugar on a plate and the mini bonbon cups on another and set them aside.

With a spoon, put a measure of dough in your greased hands and roll the truffle.

Put each brigadeiro on the plate with granulated sugar, but don’t dredge them yet.

Once you’re done rolling all brigadeiros, dredge them and put each truffle in a candy cup.

To garnish, top it with clove and voilá. Bom apetite!

Did you like this recipe for pumpkin brigadeiro? Then save it to Pinterest and share it with a friend who might like it too!

Pumpkin brigadeiro Pinterest graphic
Pumpkin brigadeiro recipe

Pumpkin Brigadeiro Recipe

Yield: 20
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Rolling the truffles: 15 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

This pumpkin brigadeiro recipe is sure to make an excellent fall dessert, but also delicious Halloween treats.

Ingredients

  • 1 14-ounce (397 grams) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 tablespoon butter, plus some more to grease your hands
  • 3/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
  • 1/3 teaspoon apple pie spice
  • 1/3 teaspoon vanilla extract

Garnish

  • Granulated sugar
  • Cloves

Instructions

    1. Grease a plate with butter and set aside.
    2. In a medium non-stick pan, mix the condensed milk, butter, pumpkin puree, and apple pie spice over medium heat.
    3. Stir and cook until it thickens. It should peel away when you scrape the bottom of the pan and reveal it for a brief moment before the mixture levels out again.
    4. Remove the mixture from heat and add the vanilla while stirring.
    5. Transfer the dough onto a greased plate and let it cool down in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
    6. Put the granulated sugar on a plate and the mini bonbon cups on another and set them aside.
    7. With a spoon, put a measure of dough in your greased hands and roll the truffle.
    8. Put each brigadeiro on the plate with granulated sugar, but don’t dredge them yet.
    9. Once you’re done rolling all brigadeiros, dredge them and put each truffle in a candy cup.
    10. To garnish, top it with clove and voilá. Bom apetite!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 20 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 95Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 39mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 0gSugar: 15gProtein: 2g

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