3 From Religious Rites to Celebratory Bites

“Mãe! Where’s the Brigadeiro?” It’s a phrase you’ll hear at any Brazilian gathering. When I first began to think about what recipe I would share with the class, the first dish that came to mind was Brigadeiro. Brigadeiro is a traditional Brazilian dessert made of bite-sized, chewy, fudgy chocolate balls, typically covered in sprinkles. (santabarbarachocolate.com) They are the FIRST thing my friends rush to at any feijoada or birthday party. About two months ago, at the birthday party of one of my best friends, a mutual friend brought a large plate of Brigadeiros. When I tell you it was the BEST bite-sized, chewy chocolate ball I’ve ever had, I’m not exaggerating. That’s why I decided to interview Laís Lara Oliveira Santos Vanin, a 32-year-old Brazilian Ph.D. student at Indiana University who had a unique story to share with me.

Laís was born in Franca, São Paulo, Brazil – a city located in the northeastern part of the state. When she was five, she moved with her family to Brasília, the capital of Brazil. She lived in three different regions within the city, each with its own distinct character. Laís has always been drawn to art, with museums, theater, music, and festivals being the main attractions that inspire her travels. Her career has been just as diverse—she’s worked as a teacher’s assistant at a preschool, a Spanish teacher, a translator (both written and spoken), and a baker. Yet, what stood out to me most was her relationship to her family and her roots.

Laís grew up in a Jehovah’s Witness family. She has a younger brother whom she is very close with, but she shared how her parents severed ties with him after he came out at the age of 19. Although she still has a connection with her parents, Laís often worries that her own lifestyle may cause a similar rift. Within the Jehovah’s Witness faith, birthdays are not celebrated because of their belief that evil spirits may have an influence on the celebrant. “Whenever there were birthday parties at school, I had to sit in the library,” she said. “The teachers always felt bad, so they would bring me a few Brigadeiros from the party”(Vanin 2024). Laís hasn’t practiced the religion for many years, and her 27th birthday marked a significant turning point for her. “It was the first birthday I ever celebrated, and I truly feel like that was the day I officially left the church.”(Vanin 2024)

To this day, Laís loves birthdays and any form of celebration, but she admits that they can sometimes come with complicated emotions.”I’m usually having a great time, but sometimes a feeling of guilt or discomfort can suddenly rush in”(Vanin 2024). However, Brigadeiros have always been a source of comfort for her. She explained how she would make them at “girls’ nights,” weddings, or whenever she was experiencing premenstrual syndrome. It was the importance of the chocolate that is incorporated into the dish that makes it a comfort food for her. So, when she attends birthday parties now, you’ll often find her with a plate of Brigadeiros in hand, ready to share. She learned the recipe from her aunt, and the process of making them always involves the whole family. “One person rolls the chocolate balls, someone dips them in sprinkles, and another wraps them up. It’s very much a team effort.”(Vanin 2024) Though Laís has slightly modified the recipe she learned, it’s still the first dish to disappear at any gathering. Her experience mirrors those whose food culture has become invisible, although a formative part of their identity. As discussed in Shaylah Brown’s “Slavery, soul food and the power of Black women” (2020), soul food is tied to togetherness. Soul food, which is a key cultural expression, was shaped by necessity during slavery but evolved into a symbol of family bonding, community solidarity, and cultural identity. Black women, who are often the central figures in food preparation, used cooking as a means of preserving tradition, nurturing loved ones, and asserting cultural pride. This fostered a deep sense of unity through shared meals.

Brigadeiro is more than just a beloved Brazilian treat—it’s a symbol of connection, tradition, and personal growth for Laís. Because she has been living in Indiana for the past 7 years, there is not one friend of hers who is not familiar with the dish and has not tried her recipe. What began as a simple part of her childhood, a reminder of family gatherings and religious constraints, has evolved into a meaningful expression of freedom and celebration. Whether shared at birthdays, “girls’ nights,” or quiet moments of reflection, Brigadeiro is a taste of both the past and the present—a dish that binds Laís to her roots while also allowing her to embrace the joy of the present moment. As Laís continues to make Brigadeiros, she is reminded not only of her family’s traditions but also of her resilience in forging a path toward the future—one bite-sized, chewy chocolate ball at a time.

Brigadeiros

Ingredients:

• 1 can of condensed milk
• 1 can of “crema de leche” (heavy whipping cream works as well)
• ½ stick of unsalted butter
• 5 spoonfuls of 70% chocolate powder
• Sprinkles of your choice!

How to prepare:

1. Put the condensed milk and “crema de leche” in a pan.
2. Sift the chocolate into the pan.
3. Mix with a wooden spoon until all the ingredients are dissolved
4. Turn on the stove to medium-Low.
5. Constantly stir!
6. Brigadeiro Rule of Law- When you’re able to draw a line on the bottom of the pan with the spoon, it’s ready!

Bon Appetit! 🙂

References

Brown, S. (2020, December 2). Slavery, Soul Food, and Black Women. NorthJersey.com. Retrieved from https://www.northjersey.com/in-depth/life/2020/12/02/slavery-soul-food-black-women/5980490002/

Santa Barbara Chocolate. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://www.santabarbarachocolate.com

Vanin, L. (2024, November 11). Interview by J. Brondizio. Bloomington, IN.