Sweets and desserts

Sonhos de Natal

Light fried dough, golden and dusted with sugar and cinnamon.

Region / occasionNational / Christmas
DifficultyMedium
Total time55 min
Yield28 units
Photo of Sonhos de Natal - 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

Sonhos de Natal are traditional Christmas fried sweets on the Portuguese festive table.

The dough puffs as it fries, creating light fritters that are coated with sugar and cinnamon while still warm.

Ingredients

  • 250 ml water
  • 70 g butter
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 180 g of flour
  • 4 eggs
  • Oil for frying
  • Sugar and cinnamon

Method

  1. Boil water, butter and salt.
  2. Add the flour all at once and stir until the dough pulls away from the sides of the pan.
  3. Leave to cool slightly.
  4. Add eggs one by one.
  5. Fry small portions in oil over moderate heat.
  6. Roll in sugar with cinnamon.

Tips from Empório Portugal

  • Oil that is too hot browns the outside before the inside cooks.
  • Add the eggs gradually, one at a time.
  • Serve the same day.

Possible substitutions in Brazil

  • Lemon zest can perfume the dough.
  • Ground cinnamon may be served on the side.

Pairing

Coffee or herbal tea. No mandatory alcoholic beverage.

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.

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
30 min
Cooking
25 min
Total time
55 min
Yield
28 units
Difficulty
Medium
Occasion
Natal, party dessert

Pairing

Coffee or herbal tea. No mandatory alcoholic beverage.

Empório tip

Oil that is too hot browns the outside before the inside cooks.

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