🇵🇹 Portugal · Dessert
Toucinho do Céu
By eatmundo · August 4, 2026
🇵🇹 PTA dense, almond-rich Portuguese cake, literally meaning 'bacon from heaven'. This conventual dessert is incredibly moist and decadent.
Ingredients
check them off as you prepareHow to Make It
- 1
Preheat your oven to 180C and grease a 20cm cake tin with 10g butter.
- 2
Prepare a syrup with 300g sugar and 200ml water and a cinnamon stick, boiling to 110C.
- 3
Whisk 15 egg yolks and incorporate the warm syrup slowly, whisking continuously.
- 4
Add a generous amount of ground almonds (often found in the recipe) into the yolk base.
- 5
Pour the smooth, thick batter into the prepared cake tin.
- 6
Bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden and set but slightly wobbling in the center.
- 7
Allow the cake to cool completely in the tin before turning it out onto a plate.
- 8
Serve chilled or at room temperature for the best texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called 'bacon from heaven'?+
Historically, it was made with pork lard; modern recipes mostly use butter, but the name remains.
Can I bake it in a larger tin?+
You can, but the cake will be flatter; it is traditionally thick and dense, so a smaller tin is better.
How do I know when it is done?+
The top should look like a golden, slightly wrinkled surface; it will firm up while cooling.
Is it a gluten-free dessert?+
Yes, traditional recipes rely on yolks and almonds, making it naturally gluten-free.
🇵🇹 PTMundo Match
Dishes across the world that share Toucinho do Céu's core ingredients.
