From the creamy Pastel de Nata to the sweet Bola de Berlim, Portuguese pastry is simply yummy …
The story of traditional Portuguese pastry walks hand in hand with the rich and diverse history of this beautiful territory, conquered throughout the centuries by different tribes and empires.
More than 2800 years ago, the first Lusitanian people already made cakes with acorn flour and honey. The use of sugar and fruit in pastry would only occur centuries later, with the Romans and the Moors. However, it was only during the Middle Ages and locked away behind the walls of convents and monasteries, that Portuguese pastry would develop its unique identity.
The French might be renowned worldwide for their croissants and puff pastry, but all that buttery goodness was taken to an entirely different level in Portugal where sugar and eggs are used in abundance.
Portuguese pastry as we know it today is a mixture of cultural influences and secular traditions, with recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. And you don't have to look very far to find some of the finest pastries made in Portugal! In every cafe or local cake shop, no matter how small or remotely located, you’ll be surprised to find that the pastry is always fresh and delicious! The hard part is choosing only one!
To help you in that difficult task, here is a simple guide with some of Portugal's most common pastries. Enjoy!
Pastel de Nata
Pastel de Nata (cream tart) is Portugal's most famous pastry cake. These small custard delicacies are available everywhere and have small differences in the cream and puff pastry used as a shell. The most famous can be found in Fábrica dos Pastéis de Belém, in Lisbon, right next to the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, where the original recipe was created in 1837 by the monks who lived in the monastery. Traditionally, these delicious cream tarts are eaten hot and sprinkled with cinnamon.
Bola de Berlim
The Bola de Berlim (berlin ball) is inspired by the German "Berliner" but is filled with a yellow pastry cream, made with eggs and sugar. These are fried and sprinkled with sugar and are especially popular during the summer where the Portuguese enjoy eating them on the beach. You can also find them plain or with other fillings, but the traditional version overflows with "creme pasteleiro".
Guardanapo
The Guardanapo ("napkin" in Portuguese) is a folded cake, where the inside is filled with egg jam. The "pão de ló" sponge cake, full of flavour and with a soft and fluffy texture, is one of Portugal's most traditional pastry doughs.
Palmier
Although the Palmier is a typically a French pastry, the Portuguese reinvented it with a coating of translucent royal glaze, chocolate or egg jam on top. Traditionally butterfly-shaped, this cake is made of puff pastry and sometimes is also served in a square-shaped sandwich with two layers of buttercream in the middle.
Pão de Deus
The story of this round pastry is related to All Saints' Day where it is customary for children in Portugal to knock on doors asking for "Pão por Deus" (God's bread).
Pão de Deus are round sweet bread covered with coconut and powdered sugar, that can be eaten simple or with ham, cheese, butter or jam. In some regions of Portugal, these typical cakes can also be called "Arrufadas".
Salame
Salame is a pastry inspired by the Italian salami but traditionally made with chocolate, biscuits, butter, eggs and sometimes Port wine. It is served in thick slices and may also contain chopped walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts. Because it is such a simple recipe, almost every family in Portugal makes homemade chocolate salami!
Xadrez
The name of this cake derives from its appearance similar to that of a chessboard. Alternate layers of chocolate cake and sponge cake joined together with buttercream and chocolate toppings, form the characteristic design of this delicious pastry.
If you'd like to be able to indulge in these delicious sweets just around the corner from a beautiful Portuguese property, give us a ring!
We love to share our passion for Portugal’s wonderful culinary traditions, as well as more aspects of living in Portugal that have won the hearts of expats from all around the world.
Portugal Realty™ - Property for sale in Portugal
