Brigadeiro - Chocolate candies

Really easy and fun Brazilian chocolate candy - truffle like confection. I first had these at a local Brazilian bakery and then sought to make them at home. Initially, I used a super high quality cocoa powder, and while they were quite good they didn't taste like what I had first tried. I researched a bit and found out that using a chocolate drink mix powder would result in a more authentic taste - so here's my recipe

Brigadeiro's

• 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
• 4 Tbs chocolate drink powder (like quik)
• 1 Tbs butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
• chocolate sprinkles

Combine condensed milk, chocolate drink powder and butter in a small heavy bottom saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly for about 10-20 mins or until mixture thickens and starts to pull away from sides of pan. This seems to take forever, but it does thicken, all at once. Be careful to stir as mixture will burn if left unattended. Pour out into a wide bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes, until cool enough to handle. With buttered hands shape mixture into 1-2" balls and roll in chocolate sprinkles (or coconut, or chopped nuts, or cocoa powder). Refrigerate for a few hours and serve.