Bolo de Bolacha (Portuguese Biscuit and Coffee Cake)
In short: A no-bake cake of biscuits dipped in coffee milk and layered with silky egg custard butter cream, chilled overnight until sliceable. It takes about 55 min in total and makes 12 servings.
- Prep
- 40 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Resting
- 10 h
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 12
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 320 kcal
Bolo de bolacha is the party cake of Portuguese childhoods, made for birthdays and family gatherings without turning on the oven. Plain tea biscuits are dipped briefly in coffee and milk, then stacked with a smooth buttery custard cream. After a night in the fridge the biscuits soften into a cake that slices cleanly. It needs patience rather than skill, and it is easy to make for a crowd.
Instructions
- Heat the milk with the lemon zest until steaming. Whisk the yolks, sugar and cornstarch in a bowl until smooth, then slowly whisk in the hot milk.
- Pour the mixture back into the pan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and bubbles gently, about 5 minutes. Cook for 1 minute more, then remove the zest.
- Pour the custard into a bowl, press plastic wrap onto the surface and cool completely, at least 1 hour.
- Beat the softened butter for 3 minutes until pale. Add the cold custard a spoonful at a time, beating until smooth and fluffy.
- Line a 25 x 11 cm (10 x 4.5 in) loaf pan with plastic wrap. Mix the coffee and milk in a shallow dish. Dip each biscuit for 1 to 2 seconds, then lay 10 in a single layer in the pan.
- Spread a thin layer of cream over the biscuits. Repeat with three more layers of dipped biscuits and cream, finishing with cream. Sprinkle with the crushed biscuits.
- Cover and chill for at least 8 hours or overnight. Lift out with the plastic wrap and cut into thick slices.
Tips
- Dip each biscuit for only 1 to 2 seconds. Biscuits left longer fall apart and the cake turns soggy.
- Make it at least 8 hours ahead. It holds its shape for 3 days in the fridge, and the flavor improves.
Questions and answers
Can I use a different biscuit?
Plain, slightly sweet tea biscuits are traditional. Any crisp, plain biscuit works, but avoid cream-filled or strongly flavored ones.
Can I make bolo de bolacha without coffee?
Yes. Dip the biscuits in plain milk or in warm milk with a spoonful of cocoa for a version that children can eat.
Can I freeze bolo de bolacha?
Yes, for up to 1 month. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before slicing.
How long does it take to make Bolo de Bolacha (Portuguese Biscuit and Coffee Cake)?
About 55 min in total: 40 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Bolo de Bolacha (Portuguese Biscuit and Coffee Cake)?
About 320 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 32 g of carbohydrates and 19 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 320 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 32 g |
| Fat | 19 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 17 g |
| Sodium | 190 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
