The 12 most popular Portuguese desserts (2024)

Do you have a sweet tooth? Are you a dessert lover? If your answer is yes, Portugal is a great destination for you. Portuguese desserts are known for their rich flavours, use of traditional ingredients, and a sweet indulgence that reflects the country's culinary heritage. This country really appreciates food, and desserts are no exception. Pastelarias (pastry shops) and padarias (bakeries) are absolutely everywhere and offer the most amazing treats you can imagine.

What are the most famous desserts in Portugal? We're going to find out by looking at a selection of delicious Portuguese sweets. These Portuguese dessert recipes vary from traditional to variations of international recipes and create an infinite list of cakes, puddings and pies. Grab a spoon, a fork or just use your hands to dig into the 12 most popular Portuguese desserts.

Arroz doce (rice pudding)

Portugal's take on the traditional rice pudding Flickr

This traditional Portuguese dessert is no stranger to many, since it has many versions around the world. In Portugal, this is a staple dessert at family gatherings, holidays and special meals. Rice, milk, sugar and cinnamon make up the base of this sweet dish and each family has its own recipe with different twists like vanilla, lemon zest and even egg to thicken the mixture. Once it's cooked, it is decorated with different patterns, usually created with cinnamon.

Pudim ovos

"Pudim de Ovos" in Portugal refers to a traditional Portuguese egg pudding or flan. It's a popular dessert enjoyed throughout the country, and it has a smooth and creamy texture with a rich caramel sauce. You can find it on most restaurant dessert menus and at family gatherings.

Aletria

Aletria is a traditional dessert that you can find on many Portuguese Christmastables but also prepared all year round. Made from vermicelli pasta (“angel hair” pasta), milk, sugar, egg yolks, cinnamon and lemon or orange zest, it is a comforting dessert, decorated with cinnamon, just like rice pudding, and is one of Portugal's most traditional dessert recipes.

Rabanadas

A Portuguese version of French toast, Rabanadas are slices of bread soaked in a mixture of milk and eggs, fried until golden, and then sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. They are often enjoyed during the Christmas season. A true Portuguese delicacy!

Baba de Camelo

With quite an unusual and somewhat entertaining name (“Baba de camelo” literally means “camel’s drool”), and this Portuguese dessert is perfect for those in a hurry. Take note, as you never know when you might need to impress your guests with a stellar dessert in just a few minutes: separate egg whites from egg yolks and whisk the whites until stiff; pour the yolks through a strainer and mix in condensed milk; add the stiff egg whites into the mixture and refrigerate. And voilá! This is a deliciously easy cold dessert that you will love, not to mention that it's a very easy Portuguese dessert recipe to make.

Leite creme

Try this boiled "créme brulée" topped with cinnamon or burnt sugar Pixabay

Leite creme is the Portuguese cousin of “créme brulée”, prepared on the stove instead of in the oven. Leite Creme is a rich custard dessert with a caramelised sugar topping. It's often infused with vanilla or lemon to add extra flavour.

Natas do Céu

This layered dessert has a very fitting name: Natas do Céu or “Cream from Heaven”. On the top layer will find a delicious thick egg custard, followed by a mixture of cream, egg whites and sugar and, on the bottom, a crunchy crumble made with shredded Maria biscuits. A spoonful of happiness in every bite!

Bolo de Bolacha

Traditional Maria biscuits are the star of another famous Portuguese dessert, Bolo de Bolacha. This cold cake-like treat has different recipes across the country and every cook adds theirown little touch like cream or condensed milk. The traditional version is prepared with biscuitssoaked in strong black coffee and then stacked up with a little help from some buttercream, made with sugar, butter and more coffee.

Bola de Berlim

This egg cream filled doughnut will be the perfect beach snack Pixabay

If you've ever been to a Portuguese beach, especially in the Algarve, chances are you've seen men walking around selling “Bolas de Berlim”. These fried pastries, with a doughnut-like consistency and taste, can be eaten in their plain version (just sprinkled with sugar), or filled with the same egg cream you’ll find in so many Portuguese desserts. After a long day at the beach there is nothing better than this sweet doughnut andthese days you can even find alternative versions like chocolate or carob cream-filled Bolas de Berlim.

Pão de Deus

This Portuguese dessert name literally means “God’s Bread” and it sure is heavenly. This moist brioche-like roll of dough is perfectly portioned and topped with a coconut crumble, too scrumptious to resist. You can find it in most “pastelarias” and it is the perfect companion to a great cup of coffee.

Toucinho do Céu

"Bacon from heaven" or as we like to call it: Heaven in your mouth! Flickr

Speaking about desserts from heaven, Toucinho do Céu, literally meaning “Bacon from Heaven” is a delicious almond cake, made with pork lard, hence the word bacon in the name. It was created by the nuns of the Santa Clara Convent, in the north of the country, and it is one of the most popular Portuguese desserts you can find. Don’t be put off by the name because the taste is incredible!

Pastéis de Belém/Pastéis de Nata

The very famous "Pastel de Belém" and "Pastel de Nata" Flickr

Perhaps the most famous Portuguese dessert, Pastel de Nata or Pastel de Belém is a custard tart pastry with a crisp, flaky crust and a creamy custard filling. This is a trueicon when it comes to dishes to try in Portugal. The famous store and factoryin Lisbonstill holds the secret recipe for theselittle custard pies butmany pastry shops and bakeries have presented their own take on it and sell “Pastéis de Nata”.