Queijadas de Vila Franca do Campo: The small Azorean cake that tastes like heaven

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 as Queijas da Vila do Morgado, the official brand name. 

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 as a snack at any time of day, throughout the 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.

Related article: Queijadas da Graciosa

History

Today, there are several types of queijadas, each with different flavors and textures. But the Queijada de Vila Franca do Campo is a true gastronomic symbol of the Azores. 

The nuns in the convent would use the leftover curd from the milk to make cheese and queijadas. 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 liters 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 cover the container to allow it to curdle. Then remove the curd with a cloth and squeeze it to form a dry, 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 dough ingredients to a large bowl and knead with a little lukewarm water until a stretchy dough forms. 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 a pastry cutter to cut the dough into about 12cm-diameter circles. Leave each cut-out part 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 to support 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 over the surface for a 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 buy some boxes there, too!

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 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

Video

Learn an easier way of making them here:

Conclusion

If you are planning to visit São Miguel Island and are a real foodie, 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 also a very good idea to bring them 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

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