Sweets and desserts

Pão de ló

Portuguese sponge cake of eggs, sugar and flour, in drier or creamier styles.

RegionNorth / Beiras
DifficultyMedium
Total time50 min
Servings8 servings
Photo of Pão de ló — 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

Pão de ló is a noble base of Portuguese pastry, with highly varied regional recipes.

Some versions are airy and dry; others stay moist in the center, almost creamy.

The simplicity of the ingredients demands attention to the egg stage and the oven.

Ingredients

  • 8 eggs
  • 250 g sugar
  • 150 g sifted wheat flour
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • Butter and flour for the pan

Method

  1. Beat eggs and sugar until you have a very voluminous cream.
  2. Fold in the sifted flour gently.
  3. Place in a prepared pan.
  4. Bake in a medium oven until set, respecting the desired texture.
  5. Let cool slightly before unmolding.
  6. Serve plain, with coffee or an egg-based sweet.

Tips from Empório Portugal

  • Beating the eggs well is the secret to lightness.
  • Add the flour without beating hard.
  • For a creamier center, shorten the time and use a suitable pan.

Possible substitutions in Brazil

  • Ordinary sifted flour works well.
  • Lemon zest can perfume the dish, though it is not required.

Pairing

Coffee or Tawny Port. Content intended for adults 18+. Drink responsibly.

Editorial note from Empório Portugal

This recipe is an Empório Portugal editorial version inspired by Portuguese culinary tradition. Regional and family variations exist, especially in seasoning, quantities and method.

Do you have a Portuguese family recipe?

Send it to the Empório Portugal community. Submitted recipes are reviewed before any publication.

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Quick facts

Prep
20 min
Cooking
30 min
Total time
50 min
Yield
8 servings
Difficulty
Medium
Occasion
Easter, coffee, dessert

Pairing

Coffee or Tawny Port. Content intended for adults 18+. Drink responsibly.

Empório tip

Beating the eggs well is the secret to lightness.

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