Queijadas de Sintra
Queijadas de Sintra are traditional sweet cheese pastries originating from the town of Sintra, Portugal. These delicate tarts feature a creamy, sweet cheese filling encased in a light, flaky pastry.
🧂 Ingredients
- 250 g Fresh cheese (requeijão)(Ensure it's well-drained. If unavailable, a good quality ricotta can be substituted, but drain it very thoroughly.)
- 200 g Granulated sugar
- 6 Large eggs(Room temperature is best for incorporation.)
- 50 g All-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Ground cinnamon(Plus extra for dusting, if desired.)
- 100 g Unsalted butter(Melted, for brushing pastry.)
- 12 units Pre-made puff pastry or tart shells(Thinly rolled puff pastry or pre-made mini tart shells work well. If using puff pastry, you'll need to cut and shape it.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Lightly grease and flour 12 mini tart molds or muffin tin cups.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 2
In a medium bowl, combine the well-drained fresh cheese (requeijão) and granulated sugar. Whisk until smooth and well incorporated. The mixture should be creamy.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking thoroughly after each addition until fully combined and the mixture is homogenous. It should have a smooth, custard-like consistency.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Sift the flour and add it to the cheese mixture along with the ground cinnamon. Gently fold everything together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Prepare the pastry. If using puff pastry, roll it out thinly and cut circles to fit your tart molds or muffin cups. Gently press the pastry into the molds, ensuring it lines the sides and base. If using pre-made shells, ensure they are ready.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 6
Spoon the cheese filling into each prepared pastry shell, filling them about two-thirds full. The filling will puff up slightly during baking.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 7
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is set and lightly puffed. The tops should be a beautiful golden hue.
⏱️ 20-25 minutes - 8
Remove the queijadas from the oven and let them cool in the molds for about 10 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Optionally, brush the tops with melted butter and dust with a little extra cinnamon before serving.
⏱️ 10 minutes (cooling in mold)
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Queijadas de Sintra are a specialty of the town of Sintra, with a tradition dating back to at least the 13th century.
- ✓The quality and freshness of the 'requeijão' (fresh cheese) are crucial for the authentic flavor and texture.
- ✓Serve these pastries at room temperature for the best taste and texture. They are delicious on their own or with a cup of coffee or tea.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Experiment with different types of mild, fresh cheese if requeijão is unavailable, ensuring it's well-drained.
- Adjust the amount of cinnamon to your preference, or add a pinch of nutmeg for a different spice profile.