Brigadeiros are a classic Brazilian trufflelike confection that traditionally blends the flavors of chocolate and caramel. We love these easy no-bake treats so we decided to update them with the more traditional holiday flavors of gingerbread, mocha and molasses. These brigadeiros also make great gifts, as they are made easily in advance and refrigerated for several weeks.

MOCHA GINGERBREAD BRIGADEIROS

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Yield: 36 cookies

1 tablespoon butter, plus more for buttering hands and bowl 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk 1/4 cup cocoa powder 1 tablespoon instant coffee powder 1 tablespoon molasses 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger Crushed gingerbread cookies or chopped pistachios

Procedure:

Use a bit of butter to coat the inside of a medium bowl.

In a medium saucepan over medium, combine the sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon of butter, the instant coffee, molasses, fresh ginger, cinnamon and cloves. Cook, stirring constantly, for 10 to 12 minutes, or until thickened. The mixture should hold a line when you drag your spoon through it. Stir in the crystallized ginger, then pour into the buttered bowl and allow to cool.

Once the mixture is cool, use buttered hands to roll the mixture into 3/4-inch balls, then roll through the crushed gingerbread or pistachios. Serve in small cupcake papers. Can be refrigerated for 3 weeks in a tightly sealed contained.

Nutrition information per cookie: 60 calories; 15 calories from fat (25 percent of total calories); 2 g fat (1 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 5 mg cholesterol; 25 mg sodium; 9 g carbohydrate; 0 g fiber; 7 g sugar; 1 g protein.