Bolo de Bolacha

Name: Bolo de Bolacha
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Portuguese
Ingredients: 400g Maria biscuits (plain tea biscuits); 250g butter, softened; 200g sugar; 4 egg yolks; 2 tbsp strong espresso coffee; 200ml milk; 1 tsp vanilla extract; Cocoa powder or chocolate shavings for topping

Bolo de Bolacha (BOH-loo deh boh-LAH-shah)

Portuguese Biscuit Cake

⏱ Prep Time 30 min + 4 hours chilling

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 352 kcal

A no-bake cake of layered coffee-soaked biscuits and rich butter cream, chilled until the biscuits soften into a cake-like texture. Every Portuguese family has their own version of this beloved dessert.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 5.0g

Carbs 38.0g

Fat 20.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ dairy ⚠ eggs ⚠ gluten

Equipment Needed

mixing bowl rectangular dish electric mixer

Presentation Guide

Vessel: rectangular serving dish

Garnishes: cocoa powder, chocolate shavings

Accompaniments: espresso coffee

Ingredients

400g Maria biscuits (plain tea biscuits)
250g butter, softened
200g sugar
4 egg yolks
2 tbsp strong espresso coffee
200ml milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
Cocoa powder or chocolate shavings for topping

Instructions

1
Beat softened butter with sugar until pale and fluffy. Add egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla.
2
Mix coffee with milk in a shallow dish.
3
Quickly dip each biscuit in the coffee-milk mixture — just enough to moisten, not to make soggy.
4
Line the bottom of a rectangular dish with dipped biscuits. Spread a layer of butter cream over them.
5
Repeat layers until all biscuits and cream are used, finishing with a cream layer on top.
6
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours, ideally overnight. Dust with cocoa powder before serving.

💡

Did You Know?

Bolo de bolacha is the first dessert most Portuguese children learn to make, and every family insists their grandmother's recipe is the definitive version.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

mixing bowl
rectangular dish
electric mixer

Garnishing

cocoa powder, chocolate shavings

Accompaniments

espresso coffee

The Story Behind Bolo de Bolacha

Bolo de bolacha emerged in the 20th century as an accessible homemade dessert requiring no oven — a practical advantage in Portuguese homes where ovens were not always available. Using Maria biscuits, a pantry staple named after a Spanish brand, this no-bake cake became the dessert of family gatherings, birthdays, and lazy Sunday afternoons across Portugal.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed dessert, birthdays, gatherings 📜 Origins: 20th century home cooking

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