
Preparation time | 25 min |
Cooking Time | 30 min |
Ready In | 55 min |
Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Servings | 8 |
Portuguese cavacas are small, traditional cakes that are popular in Portugal. They are typically made with a simple batter of flour, sugar, eggs, and baking powder, which is then baked until golden brown and crispy on the outside, but soft and fluffy on the inside.
Once the cavacas are baked, they are often topped with a sweet glaze made from sugar and water, and sometimes flavored with lemon or other citrus fruits. Some recipes also call for the addition of cinnamon or other spices to the batter for extra flavor.
Cavacas are often served as a dessert or snack, and are particularly popular during the summer months when they are sometimes sold from stalls or food trucks at outdoor festivals and events.
There are many variations of the traditional cavacas recipe, with some versions including additional ingredients like almonds or coconut. However, the basic recipe remains the same, and the cakes are loved by many for their simple, yet delicious flavor and texture.
Ingredients

Directions
- Preheat oven to 180°C or 350°F.
- Grease regular size muffin tins or popover tins.
- Using an electric mixer or stand mixer (on level 6) beat all ingredients for at least 20 minutes without stopping. Fill the muffin or popover tins no more than half way.
- Place on the middle rack. For moist Cavacas, bake for about 45 minutes; for dry Cavacas bake for 1 hour.
- Combine all of the glaze ingredients and stir until smooth.
- While the Cavacas are still warm, spoon the glaze over each one or just submerge each one in the glaze.
- Serve on the same day since they will dry even more for the following day.
Adapted from Maria Lawton, author of Azorean Cooking


