Brazilian Chocolate Balls

A very Happy New year to everyone!! I thought the best way to start the new year would be with a simple dessert recipe..
My sweet friend Leila from Brazil is super awesome when it comes to making desserts or baking breads. She will make it sound so easy and when she teaches you to do something she simplifies it for people like me who have no knowledge about baking or desserts.
She moved back to Brazil so we have been missing her a lot and her breads and desserts.

She taught us Brazilian chocolate and coconut balls and they are a hit at every party. The best part is they are so easy to make. Today I am blogging about the chocolate balls.. The mini wrappers are from Brazil so atleast something is from Brazil in my chocolate balls ;)

1 can sweetened condensed milk (I use nestle)
2 tblspn butter
4 tblspn cocoa powder
1 tblspn hot chocolate powder (optional)
Chocolate sprinkles for decoration

On stove-top keep the heat on low and add butter to a heavy bottom pot and pour the condensed milk. Add in the cocoa powder, hot chocolate powder and mix well.
Stir constantly, keeping the heat low.
Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring, until mixture becomes very thick and starts to pull away from the sides of the pot and become one thick mass.
Remove from heat and chill in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes. Now with buttered hands, roll the mixture into small balls.
Roll each ball in the chocolate sprinkles, and put it in a wrapper or place on wax paper sheet and chill till you are ready to serve them.

Note:
I have tried adding vanilla essence or using hazelnut or mocha flavored hot chocolate powder they taste great as well.
Don't add sugar while cooking the mixture as we have added condensed milk & the chocolate sprinkles are sweet.
Keep stirring this is very important to avoid burning the chocolate mixture