Maybe you have already heard of the famous Queijadas de Vila Franca do Campo, but do you know the Queijadas da Graciosa? They are completely different, but just as mouth-watering.
With their crunchy dough on the outside and the intense sweetness inside, they will easily become your favorite delicacy of the archipelago. If you are not visiting Graciosa Island, don’t worry! You can actually find these pastries all around the other islands.
In this article, you will learn more about the history of Queijadas da Graciosa, how to make them yourself at home, and where you can buy them. Follow along!
What is Queijada da Graciosa?
Queijada da Graciosa is a culinary specialty from the island of the same name, in the Azores archipelago. It is a traditional sweet made of milk, sugar, eggs, flour, butter, cinnamon, and salt, using mostly local ingredients.
The little cakes are one of the most famous sweets of the Azores islands, easily recognizable by their star shapes. They are a registered brand and a Product of Origin with Certified Quality.
How to Make Bolos Lêvedos?
Traditional Recipe
You can try making the Queijadas da Graciosa at home; however, it will never have the exact same taste as the originals because the company keeps the recipe a secret. But here is a similar version.
The day before, make the filling by boiling the milk and sugar in a pot until it thickens and turns brown, stirring occasionally. This can take up to 2h30. Then, let it cool, and when it is lukewarm, add the beaten yolks, butter, and cinnamon. Return it to the stove and cook until it boils, stirring constantly. Finally, keep it in the fridge overnight.
The next day, make the dough. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Add the flour, melted butter, sugar, and salt to a large bowl, then make a hole in the center to add the eggs. Knead well and let it rest. Roll the dough out on a floured surface until it’s very thin. Grease small cake molds (preferably star-shaped, to be true to the original recipe) with butter, then line them with the dough. Finally, pour the filling into each mold. Bake for about 30 minutes.
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 300g flour;
- 2 tablespoons butter;
- 2 tablespoons sugar;
- 1 teaspoon salt;
- 2 medium eggs.
For the filling:
- 2L milk;
- 1kg sugar;
- 20 medium eggs (yolk only);
- 2 tablespoons butter;
- q.s. cinnamon.
Where to buy Queijadas da Graciosa?
Even though they are only produced on Graciosa Island, in Vila da Praia, where you can visit the factory, you can find the sweet cakes in all the islands of the Azores. They are also exported to Madeira Island, Porto, Lisbon, Coimbra, and the USA via the Portugalia Marketplace in Fall River. Find out more about the sale spots here!
For those who are abroad and miss the Azorean sweetness, you can buy Queijadas da Graciosa online at this e-shop.
Brief History
Back in the days, Graciosa’s queijadas were a hit on the island, and there wouldn’t be a party without them. They were called at the time “Covilhete de leite”. Because its production is only in the town of Praia, on Graciosa Island, they are locally known as “Queijadas da Praia”, but outside of the island, they are referred to as Queijadas da Graciosa.
Did you know
Its wider popularity began thanks to a lady named Maria de Jesus Félix. In 1991, she started selling the queijadas da Graciosa, and nowadays, her children are taking care of the family business. Then, in 2003, the queijadas became a registered brand, and in 2015, they were officially the first ever product of the region to receive the stamp “Marca Açores”, which registers products made in the Azores.
Video
Learn an easier way of making them here:
Conclusion
So if you are visiting Graciosa, or another island of the Azores archipelago, you cannot miss this sweet break. Its unique taste and texture will conquer your heart, and you will certainly come back for more!
This is definitely the symbol for the White Island. Although we have different types of queijadas on every island, this one is a must-try.
→ Explore the authentic flavors of Azorean gastronomy in our articles: Bolos Lêvedos | Cozido das Furnas | Grilled Limpets | Massa Sovada | Pimenta da Terra | Gorreana Tea | Queijadas de Vila Franca do Campo | Queijadas da Graciosa | Azorean Cracas
FAQs
Queijadas da Graciosa are a traditional star-shaped pastry from Graciosa Island in the Azores. Made with local milk, sugar, eggs, and cinnamon, these sweets feature a thin, crunchy outer dough and a rich, creamy filling. They are a certified “Product of Origin” and a true culinary symbol of the White Island.
Originally known locally as “Covilhete de leite” or “Queijadas da Praia”, their popularity grew wider in 1991 thanks to Maria de Jesus Félix. In 2015, Queijadas da Graciosa became the first-ever product to receive the “Marca Açores” stamp, certifying its authentic regional quality and traditional family-run production.
While the official company keeps its precise recipe a secret, you can make a similar version of Queijadas da Graciosa at home. The process involves boiling milk and sugar for over two hours to create a thick filling. Afterward, you line star-shaped molds with thin dough, add the custard, and bake until golden.
Although produced exclusively on Graciosa Island, you can find Queijadas da Graciosa in shops and cafés throughout the Azores. They are also exported to mainland Portugal and the USA. For those living abroad, these famous pastries are available through specialized Azorean e-shops that ship internationally.
