From pastéis de nata to bolas de Berlim, not to mention vegan cakes, the options are endless and always delicious. But there’s no denying that we have our favorites. And it’s time to reveal our Top 10!
On this list, you’ll find our 10 favorite cakes, but they’re listed in no particular order. We love them all so much that it was impossible to pick favorites or least favorites.
What we can guarantee is that they’re all divine.
Rice Cake
The rice cake must be one of the simplest cakes found in bakeries, but it’s timeless and is part of the collective imagination of all Portuguese people.
As children, we all ate them, and there are few rituals as enchanting as unwrapping the parchment paper. When you’re looking for a simpler snack, the rice cake never disappoints!
With or without cream, the Berliner is one of the most popular pastries and is surely also one of the most visually appealing pastries.
Although it’s now part of Portuguese confectionery, the truth is that the recipe is German and came to Portugal through Jewish families who sought refuge in our country during World War II.
They taste better at the beach, but they never disappoint in the city either!
Filled Palmier
Better than a palmier? Only a two-tiered palmier filled with egg custard.
It’s another classic Portuguese dessert that has already won a special place in our hearts!
Chocolate Éclair
Although there’s a wide variety of éclairs, for us the best will always be the classic one, with chocolate and whipped cream.
These delicious, elongated cakes stand out for their use of choux pastry, which, when baked, develops a thin crust, a hollow interior, and a “puffed-up” appearance.
Jesuit
Made from puff pastry and sugar, “jesuítas” have the most unusual shape on this list: they’re triangular pastries where egg custard takes center stage.
Its origin is unclear, but some believe it first appeared in Santo Tirso.
The truth is that they’re a staple in Lisbon’s pastry shops and have earned a prominent place in the hearts of the Portuguese!
Cheese Cake
There are so many varieties of queijadas that we decided to include the general category on this list.
We love them all: the orange ones, the milk ones, the Sintra ones, the carrot ones, the lemon ones… The list goes on and on! With their moist texture, they’re perfect as a snack, breakfast, or dessert.
Hungarians
When you’re craving something sweet but your conscience is nagging you, Hungarian pastries are the right choice.
They’re just the right size to satisfy your sweet tooth without going overboard, and the two halves—one without chocolate, the other with—coexist in perfect balance. They’re our favorite assortment!
Mille-Feuille
In Lisbon it’s called Mil Folhas; in Porto, it’s known as Napoleão. The recipe, inspired by French pastries, calls for puff pastry and a cream filling.
It’s usually topped with powdered sugar and chocolate, and the hardest part is sharing it!
Chocolate Salami
The “salame” must be the cake that’s a staple at children’s birthday parties. Who doesn’t remember unwrapping the aluminum foil to take a big, satisfying bite of this delicious cake?
The Maria cookie gives it a crunchy texture, and the recipe is very easy to make. Many families even have their own homemade recipe, passed down from generation to generation!
No matter how many new cakes are invented, the simplicity of the pastel de nata holds a special place in our hearts.
We like them warm, with cinnamon, and paired with a cup of coffee! Is there a better combination?! It’s our stomach’s favorite!
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