Are you trying to find the best Portuguese Desserts? We’ve rounded up 27 easy delicious desserts from Portugal that are sure to inspire you. The only question is which dessert recipe you will choose to make first.
You’ll find a lot to do and see in Portugal.

It has excellent beaches, golf courses, world-class port wine, famed castles, and a mouth-watering array of culinary delights.

In diversified Portuguese cuisine, desserts play a big part.

It’s no surprise that Portuguese bakeries and pastry stores are overflowing with all kinds of sweet treats.

Many of the country’s desserts are made with eggs and custard, but fruity and chocolate desserts aren’t left out.

Most of these delicious treats are doces conventuais (convent sweets) that were surprisingly invented in convents and monasteries during the early days.

It’s famed for Pastel De Nata, but there’s a lot more to Portuguese sweet treats!

If you’re looking for a thick, creamy, and decadent dessert, we highly recommend Arroz Doce.

Queijada, on the other hand, is the way to go for melt-in-your-mouth cheese and milk snacks.

Why not serve something a little out of the ordinary and try one of these 27 delectable Portuguese desserts when it comes to dessert.

You can be sure that #25 will provide you with an authentic taste of decadent Portuguese delight!

1. Molotof

Molotof, a caramel-filled dessert, is a standout on any dessert table.

As with many Portuguese desserts, the Molotof uses egg whites to create a light and airy texture that practically melts in your mouth.

Let your egg whites go to good use with this delicious dessert recipe the next time you have some on hand.

2. Serradura

A fine powdered Marie or tea biscuit that resembles sawdust is called Serradura in Portuguese.

Whipping cream, condensed milk, and crushed Maria biscuits provide this dessert with a silky, creamy texture that’s both delicious and visually appealing.

Crumbs can be made from any buttery cookie or digestive biscuit.

Moreover, it’s classy enough for guests to enjoy and an excellent way to end a meal as well.

3. Bolo De Arroz (Portuguese Rice Muffins)

These muffins are usually higher and come in paper cups.

Bolos de Arroz, or rice muffins, are a cornerstone of the Portuguese culinary tradition and a favorite breakfast choice.

These sweets have a cake-like texture thanks to the inclusion of rice flour in the recipe’s batter.

Sweet and buttery, with a soft yet substantial crumb and a subtle citrus note that brings the flavors to life.

4. Queijada

Sintra, Portugal, is home to the world-famous Queijada confection.

In medieval times, these little pies were employed as a form of payment because Sintra had abundant meadows and fresh cheese.

They have a crispy brown exterior and a soft, custardy within.

The mild, creamy flavor of ricotta and goat cheese gives this treat a rich cheesy taste.

5. Pastel De Nata

Rich, velvety, smooth custard with flaky, golden-brown puff pastry seems too good to pass up!

Pastel de Nata’s custard is thickened with heated milk and flour after adding tempered egg yolks.

Adding a sprinkle of cinnamon to the pastel before serving will give it a classic flavor.

6. Cavacas (Portuguese Popovers)

Cavacas are best with just a cup of tea or coffee.

It isn’t excessively sweet, and it is light, airy, and totally delightful.

The lemon icing on these pastries wonderfully balances sweetness and acerbity.

Among the Portuguese, Cavacas is a common way to celebrate joyous occasions.

7. Chocolate Salami

Salame de Chocolate, also called Chocolate Salami, does not contain any meat, despite its name.

These ingredients are melted into chocolate and shaped into a sausage.

You get a delicious, crispy, chocolaty biscuit-and-chocolate combo.

You can make a batch ahead of time, freeze it, and have chocolate salami on hand for sweet cravings and spontaneous celebrations.

8. Bolo Rei (Christmas King’s Cake)

Bolo-Rei is a Christmas staple.

It’s a dessert that screams Christmas, with glace cherries on top candied port-infused fruit, and filled with nuts.

Fun Fact: Bolo Rei traditionally contains a bean, and those who find one on their slices are crowned King and must either buy or create the following year’s cake.

9. Arroz Doce

Cooked sweet and creamy rice is served in a bowl with the addition of cinnamon and lemon peels.

This creamy and sweet, vanilla-infused rice pudding is a comforting dessert that is sure to please.

When entertaining friends and family, this dessert is the ideal choice.

10. Sonhos

Sonhos are delectable, fluffy pastries that taste just like a doughnut but are much lighter in texture.

It’s crunchy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and just the right amount of sweet from a short roll in white sugar.

Cinnamon sugar can also be sprinkled on top and served as a sugary snack or dessert.

11. Portuguese Biscoitos

With a hint of lemon, it’s an excellent combination of crunchy and sweet.

They stand out because of their ring shape, and while a glaze isn’t traditionally served with them, you could certainly douse them in something sugary.

Try this easy recipe for Portuguese biscuits to get a taste of Portuguese culture.

12. Portuguese Orange Cake

Get your hands on this one if you’re an orange lover!

Using fragrant olive oil, oranges, and citrus zest, this Portuguese orange olive oil cake has an unforgettable soft crumb and a fresh citrus note.

Fresh oranges and mild olive oil dominate the flavor profile of this simple cake recipe.

13. Bolo De Mel (Portuguese Honey Cake)

The island of Madeira, one of Portugal’s two autonomous regions, is well-known for its fortified wine, fresh seafood, and this succulent cake.

Honey, lemon, cinnamon, and olive oil combine beautifully in this cake to give it a distinctive flavor.

Serve it as an after-dinner dessert for a stunning finish.

14. Lavadores

Whether you’re sipping milk or tea, this delicious goody is the perfect companion.

As the name suggests, the Portuguese term for washboard is lavadore (lavanderia).

Fork-made horizontal lines like the ridges of a washboard are what give washboard cookies their name.

Crisp and tasty, with a sweet, buttery flavor, Lavadores are a great dessert idea.

15. Pao De Lo

Nuns in Portugal baked this dessert by accident, according to legend.

For the King’s visit, a sponge cake had to be taken out of the oven early since it was so moist and tender.

Fortunately, everyone liked it!

The result is a soft and delicious cake that can be served in many ways today.

You can eat it plain or with whipped cream or fruit jam on top.

16. Portuguese Chocolate Mousse

Chocolate Mousse sounds like a decent idea if you’re organizing a party and want to serve something everyone will adore.

You won’t be disappointed with the light, airy texture that melts in your mouth and the deep chocolate flavor.

A few simple ingredients go a long way in making this rich and decadent chocolate mousse!

17. Guardanapos Bolos (Portuguese Napkin Cake)

This Portuguese delight combines sponge cake and creamy, sweet custard.

Once the sponge cake has been cut into squares, it is filled with custard and folded in half.

Guardanapos, which translates to “napkins or serviettes,” was given to these pastries because of their unique shape.

18. Bolo De Amêndoa (Portuguese Almond Cake)

To satisfy your sweet need, look no further than this delicious gluten-free dessert recipe.

Since there is no wheat in the recipe, this almond cake is extraordinarily moist and rich, as preferred by the Portuguese due to its dense texture.

19. Travesseiros De Sintra (Sintra Pillows)

In addition to Queijadas, Sintra’s pasteleria also makes Travesseiros an equally impressive dessert.

With a layer of almond cream, they melt on your tongue while leaving behind sugar and pastry crumbs.

A whiff of crushed cinnamon and a sweet almond filling will have you snatching a second one right away!

20. Queijinhos De Amêndoa

Their cylindrical shape and white shell make them appear to be cheese wheels compared to their name, which translates to “little almond cheeses.”

Inside the egg white and almond shell is doce de ovos, a rich custard made of egg yolks and sugar.

The Algarve region of Portugal is known for its Queijinhos de Amêndoa.

21. Brigadeiros

Brazil and Portugal have a symbiotic relationship beyond their past and shared language.

Despite the ocean separating them, many Brazilian delicacies like Feijoada and Brigadeiros are available in Portugal.

22. Aletria

Egg noodles are boiled in milk with sugar, cinnamon, and lemon peel to make Aletria.

This dish’s star ingredient is cinnamon, adding a distinct flavor and aroma.

Cinnamon sticks impart taste, while cinnamon powder adds a festive touch.

Aletria is a Portuguese Christmas tradition, but you may enjoy this soothingly soft, sweet, and creamy treat any time.

23. Natas Do Ceu (Cream From Heaven)

Creative names for sweets are a trademark of the Portuguese.

“Cream from Heaven,” for example, is the name of this heavenly dish.

Just one mouthful of this heavenly concoction has your mouth-watering.

It’s best to experience it yourself!

24. Bolo Xadrez (Checkerboard Cake)

Cakes are as much a work of art as a culinary delight.

We all desire a flawlessly baked cake with a delicious crumb, but we also want to wow our guests.

Cake layers of at least two colors are cut and reassembled to create a stunning checkerboard design.

This Checkerboard Cake’s interior is just as intriguing and delicious as its outside!

25. Pudim Abade De Priscos

Looking at it, Pudim Abade De Priscos is the Portuguese version of flan or crème caramel.

With its distinct savory overtones and balance of sweet and salty provided by the Presunto (Portuguese ham), this recipe truly shines.

26. Rabanadas

The Rabanadas are an excellent way to elevate your French toast game.

Rabanadas, a Portuguese version of French toast, are widely served at Christmas and for breakfast and are sometimes paired with a glass of port wine as a dessert.

Before serving, they’re rolled in cinnamon sugar, adding dessert-like sweetness.

Sweeten your mornings with these goodies!

27. Pão De Deus (Bread Of God)

Pão De Deus falls in between with a soft crumble, topped with coconut.

These breakfast buns are also related to All Saints Day and an old Portuguese custom where children knock on doors reciting poems and asking for sweets.

Pao de Deus is a tempting snack because of its rich and delicious coconut flavor and the combination of a crunchy and soft texture.

The bottom line

Sobremesa (dessert) is a staple on nearly every Portuguese menu, and it includes a variety of puddings, cakes, and other sweets.

There are countless Portuguese desserts to choose from!

We hope you have a lovely time on this beautiful journey through the mouthwatering desserts of Portugal!