Sweets and desserts

Biscoitos de azeite

Rustic cookies flavoured with Portuguese olive oil — Alentejo simplicity on the tea table.

Region/occasionAlentejo / snack
DifficultyEasy
Total time38 min
Yield24 cookies
Photo of Biscoitos de azeite — traditional Portuguese recipe
Photo of the traditional Portuguese recipe.

Editorial content from Empório Portugal. Traditional recipes may vary by region, family and cook.

About the recipe

Olive oil cookies celebrate one of the most emblematic ingredients of Portuguese cuisine.

They are dry, aromatic and slightly salty or sweet, depending on the tradition of each house.

As with many Portuguese recipes, there are variations by region, family and cook — with herbs, anise or orange.

Ingredients

  • 300 g of flour
  • 100 ml extra virgin olive oil
  • 100 g of sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon of baking powder
  • Lemon zest
  • 1 pinch of salt

Method

  1. Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
  2. Add eggs, olive oil and zest; knead until a homogeneous dough forms.
  3. Form rolls or balls and flatten slightly.
  4. Arrange on a lined baking tray.
  5. Bake at 180°C until golden on the edges.
  6. Leave to cool on a rack before serving.

Tips from Empório Portugal

  • Fruity olive oil enhances the aroma.
  • Do not overbake — cookies continue to firm up as they cool.
  • Storing them in a metal box keeps them crunchy.

Possible substitutions in Brazil

  • Light brown sugar gives a more golden colour.
  • Sesame or anise seeds can be added.

Pairing

Green tea or a short espresso.

Editorial note from Empório Portugal

This recipe is part of the editorial curation of Empório Portugal, developed from the Portuguese culinary tradition. Like any traditional recipe, it can vary depending on the region, the family and the cook.

Do you have a family Portuguese recipe?

Send it to the Empório Portugal community. The recipes received are analyzed before any publication.

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Quick facts

Prep
20 min
Cooking
18 min
Total time
38 min
Yield
24 cookies
Difficulty
Easy
Occasion
Snack, tea, gifting

Pairing

Green tea or a short espresso.

Tips from Empório Portugal

Fruity olive oil enhances the aroma.

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