Sweets and desserts

Broas castelares

Sweet potato, almond and coconut broas, traditionally served during the festive season.

Region / occasionNational / Christmas
DifficultyMedium
Total time1 h 10 min
Yield30 units
Photo of Broas castelares - traditional Portuguese sweet
Photo of the traditional Portuguese recipe.

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

About the recipe

Broas castelares are Portuguese Christmas sweets with a dense texture and strong flavour.

Sweet potato, almonds and coconut form a moist dough, shaped into small traditional broas.

Ingredients

  • 500 g cooked sweet potato
  • 250 g of sugar
  • 150 g ground almonds
  • 100 g of grated coconut
  • 2 egg yolks
  • Orange zest
  • 1 egg yolk for brushing

Method

  1. Mash the sweet potato while it is still warm.
  2. Cook with sugar until slightly dry.
  3. Add almonds, coconut, egg yolks and zest.
  4. Let the dough cool.
  5. Shape the mixture into small broas.
  6. Brush with egg yolk and bake until golden.

Tips from Empório Portugal

  • Dough needs to cool before shaping.
  • Smaller broas bake more evenly.
  • Don't let it dry out too much in the oven.

Possible substitutions in Brazil

  • Almond flour can be used.
  • Fresh coconut gives a moister texture.

Pairing

Coffee or black tea. No alcoholic drink is required.

Editorial note from Empório Portugal

This recipe is part of the editorial curation of Empório Portugal, developed from Portuguese culinary tradition. Like every traditional recipe, it may vary by region, family and cook.

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Quick facts

Prep
45 min
Cooking
25 min
Total time
1 h 10 min
Yield
30 units
Difficulty
Medium
Occasion
Christmas, dessert table

Pairing

Coffee or black tea. No alcoholic drink is required.

Empório tip

Dough needs to cool before shaping.

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