Queijadas de Vila Franca do Campo, or Queijadas da Vila for short, are a typical cake from the town of the same name, on the south coast of São Miguel Island, in the Azores archipelago. They are also known under the name of Queijas da Vila do Morgado, the name of the official brand.
This is one of the local sweets from the Azores that will leave you wanting more! After all, they are so small you can almost eat them in one bite. It is mostly made of sugar, eggs, and milk.
Locals and tourists love to enjoy a Queijada da Vila for dessert or for a snack at any time of the day, throughout the whole year. Discover more about this traditional delicacy full of history and flavor.
What are Queijadas de Vila Franca do Campo?
Queijada de Vila Franca do Campo is a sweet delicacy from the Azores, renowned for its delicious taste and especially appreciated by the sweet tooth.
You can find them all year round in every shop, café and restaurant around the island of São Miguel. They are definitely a must-try if you like cakes.
History
Today, there are several types of queijadas made of different flavors and textures. But the Queijada de Vila Franca do Campo is a true gastronomic symbol of the Azores.
Did you know
The delicacy was made thanks to the making of cheese at the Convent of Santo André.
The nuns inside the convent would use the curd from the milk that was left behind to make the cheese and create queijadas with it. The recipe is then considered a relic of conventual sweet.
How to Make Queijadas de Vila Franca do Campo?
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 1/2 tablespoon of lard;
- 1 teaspoon of sugar;
- 1 tablespoon of butter;
- 1 egg;
- 250 g of flour and salt.
For the filling and topping:
- 1 egg white;
- 1 teaspoon of butter;
- 1 tablespoon of flour;
- 2 litres of milk;
- 250 g of sugar;
- 6 yolks;
- rennet (according to the instructions on the bottle);
- powdered sugar for topping.
Recipe
You will start the day before, with the filling. Heat the milk, add the rennet, and then cover the container to curdle. Then, remove the curd with a cloth and squeeze it out to form a dry and thin dough.
Add the egg yolks, egg whites, sugar, butter, and flour, and mix them well. Cook over low heat until it boils. Then, remove from the heat and let it cool. Pass the mixture through a sieve and store it in the refrigerator.
You must prepare the dough the day before, the day you will serve the queijadas. Add all the ingredients for the dough together in a big bowl and knead with a little lukewarm water to form a dough that can be stretched. Wrap it in a napkin and set it to rest.
Using a rolling pin and some flour, roll out the dough until it is very thin. Use a round glass or pastry cutter to cut the dough into about 12cm diameter circles. Leave each part that is cut out on top of the table. Then, in the center of each circle, insert the filling. Using a toothpick, adjust and pull the dough upwards, so that it touches the filling.
Finally, around each queijada, place a strip of parchment paper approximately 2 cm high, serving as a support for the dough (secure it with a pin if necessary). Otherwise, you can use paper muffin forms. Cook the queijadas in the oven and, after baking, sprinkle icing sugar on the surface to add the finishing touch.
Where to buy Queijadas de Vila Franca do Campo?
The Queijadas de Vila Franca do Campo are easily found, mostly on São Miguel Island but also on the other islands of the archipelago.
Find them at almost every souvenir shop, supermarket, bakery, café, restaurant, or hotel breakfast. This is a very popular dessert.
If you want to see how they are made, you can visit the original factory in Rua do Penedo, 20, 9680-146, Vila Franca do Campo, São Miguel. It is open every day except Tuesday, from 9 am. And you can also buy some boxes there!
For those who are abroad and miss the Azorean sweetness, you can find it online at this e-shop: Mercearia dos Açores
→ Explore the authentic flavors of Azorean cuisine in our articles: Bolos Lêvedos | Cozido das Furnas | Grilled Limpets | Massa Sovada | Pimenta da Terra | Gorreana Tea | Queijadas de Vila Franca do Campo
Video
Learn an easier way of making them here:
Conclusion
If you are planning on visiting São Miguel Island, and you are a real foodie, then the Queijadas de Vila Franca are a must-try! They are so good, and you will definitely want more than just one.
It is not only good to eat on the spot, but it is also a very good idea to bring them back home to your family and friends, as the cakes are still good for up to 3 weeks after your purchase.
Check all our articles about each one of the most relevant points of interest in Vila Franca do Campo: Vila Franca do Campo | Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Paz | Ilhéu de Vila Franca | Praia da Amora | Praia da Vinha da Areia | Praia de Água D’Alto | Lagoa do Congro | Lagoa dos Nenúfares | Miradouro do Castelo Branco
FAQs
Queijadas de Vila Franca do Campo are traditional sweet cakes from São Miguel Island in the Azores. Made primarily with milk, eggs, and sugar, these small delicacies are a regional gastronomic symbol, renowned for their delicious flavor and historical roots in the archipelago’s sweets.
The recipe for Queijadas de Vila Franca do Campo originated at the Convent of Santo André. Nuns created them using the curd left over from cheese production. Today, Queijadas de Vila Franca do Campo are considered a historical relic of Azorean tradition, preserved through generations for food lovers.
You can find Queijadas de Vila Franca do Campo in almost every café, supermarket, and souvenir shop across São Miguel. For a unique experience, visit the official factory in Vila Franca do Campo to watch them being made and purchase fresh boxes directly from the source.
Yes, Queijadas de Vila Franca do Campo make an excellent gift for friends and family. These cakes remain fresh for up to three weeks after purchase, making them easy to transport. Bringing home Queijadas da Vila is a perfect way to share the authentic taste of the Azores.
