Chocolate Pastillas Cake (Brigadeiro Cake) Recipe

Make brigadeiros:  In a saucepan over medium heat, mix sweetened condensed milk and unsweetened cocoa powder. Constantly stir with a silicone spatula until the condensed milk has thickened, about 20 minutes. Stir in the butter and blend well until the mixture is combined and looks glossy. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and press the plastic against the candy to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate overnight. To form into brigadeiros, lightly oil or butter your hands and form 1-inch balls. Roll in chocolate sprinkles. Chill until ready to use. 

Make the cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F or 180 degrees C. Lightly butter and line two 6-inch round baking pans with parchment. Set aside.

In a large bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add and beat in eggs, one at a time. Stir in vanilla extract. Gradually add flour mixture alternating with the buttermilk. Mix only until blended.

Divide the batter between the two cake pans evenly (around 400 grams each). Tap the cake pans on the counter gently to release any bubbles. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the cakes emerges clean. Cool completely on a wire rack. Remove cake from the pans and discard the parchment paper. Trim the tops so it's level. Set aside until ready to assemble. 

Meanwhile, make the chocolate condensed milk frosting: Heat chocolate and all-purpose cream in the microwave. Stir until melted. Set aside to cool completely. In a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, whisk the cold butter until light and fluffy, about 10 minutes. Add the cold sweetened condensed milk and whisk until combined and the frosting looks light and fluffy. Drizzle in the cooled melted chocolate ganache and whisk again until combined. (If the frosting looks curdled, keep whisking. If the frosting is no longer cold and is pourable, chill the frosting for 10 minutes or until it's chilled again. Whisk until combined again.) 

To assemble, heat cocoa powder, milk, and condensed milk until just combined. Set aside to cool. On a cake stand, place one cake layer in the center. Brush cake with the milk mixture. Top with chocolate condensed milk frosting and level. Place the second cake layer on top and brush with the remaining milk mixture. Cover the cake in a crumb coat then chill at least 1 hour.       

Once chilled and set, use the remaining frosting to cover the entire cake with a layer of frosting. Gently press the sprinkles onto the frosting (feel free to chill the cake again before decorating, if desired). Top with brigadeiros. Keep chilled. Slice and serve.