Portuguese desserts to try out this holiday

In the spirit of Christmas and all the excitement leading up to the big feast, I have been creating my own tasting menu. Wait, it’s still a tasting menu if the serving sizes are huge, right? Well, my husband and I have been indulging a bit more than we should’ve in everything savoury, sweet and considerably unhealthy. In all honesty, we have been doing this for months, but please don’t judge! At least we are very prepared for all of the Portuguese desserts we’ll be having by the glittery tree!

My friends and I actually discussed our plans for Christmas and agreed on one thing; we will all become big balls of fluff – proudly too, if I may add! But what good is it to just eat all the goodies without sharing it with you guys?

Since I can’t exactly post a picture every few hours, I figured it would be a great idea to share a few of the recipes we will be using this December.

Disclaimer: These photos are not my own and I have indicated the source under each image.

Are you ready to try some Portuguese desserts?

The queen of Portuguese desserts : Pastéis de natas

This may actually be my favourite Portuguese dessert because of the combination of crunchy, silky, sweet and subtle! I’ve never actually made it myself but with Covid still in the air restricting our freedom, I’m keen to give it a try! I’ll be using this recipe.

Pudim flan (pudding)

Another silky favourite, this one is served in almost every Portuguese household. I personally like to add a little more flavour and thickness so coconut shavings, lemon rinds and less liquid in the base are definitely my preferred option. It’s easy to put together but requires a bit of cooking time, so keep that in mind if you try it. Of course, here’s a recipe for you.

Mousse de maracujá (passion fruit mousse)

My younger sister absolutely loves this one and to be honest, I’ve never seen anyone make it with more passion! See what I did there? It’s another guilty pleasure that shouldn’t be consumed too often if you like your waistline, but definitely one you won’t be able to live without. If you love extra texture to your desserts, feel free to have it with some plain biscuits. You can also swap out the passion fruit with cocoa powder if you’re a chocoholic. Check out the recipe here.

Arroz Doce (Sweet Rice)

This dessert is perfect for cooler nights when you just want something creamy and hearty. It can also be served cold, but it definitely tastes better when warm and with a dash of cinnamon. There are several methods to make it, but I always find that swapping out the plain milk and sugar for condensed milk works best. You can use this recipe if you want to try it out!

Bolo de arroz (rice cake)

This one is nothing like the Japanese rice cakes, it’s actually cake with with rice flour! It’s light and fluffy with a crispy caramel crust and is served in any Portuguese cafe with coffee for breakfast! It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it is a staple. Try it with this recipe.

Serradura

This one is such a guilty pleasure that I would recommend you save for special occasions. Loaded with cream and biscuits, there is no way you can go wrong! I personally love it because of all of the textures, plus it’s a great alternative to boring old ice cream. It’s also a very quick dessert to whip up (literally) so you can always make it when you’re in a rush. Check out this easy recipe.

Did any of the Portuguese desserts make your mouth water?