Queijadas de Sintra: Sintra Cheesecakes

Emily Han
Emily Han
Emily Han is a Los Angeles-based recipe developer, educator, herbalist, and author of Wild Drinks & Cocktails and co-author of Wild Remedies. For recipes and classes, check out her personal site.
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published Mar 2, 2009
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(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Although I’m still kicking myself for not joining my boyfriend on his recent stay in Sintra, Portugal, I have been happily enjoying the culinary souvenirs he brought home. Among them were these local specialties called queijadas de Sintra, or Sintra cheesecakes. The ingredients are simple – sugar, cheese, flour, egg, and cinnamon – but their effect is intoxicating, and I’ve found myself craving more of these little cakes ever since I polished off the last one.

To an American audience, the term “cheesecakes” can be a bit misleading, as these are more more like custard-y tarts wrapped in pastry. Made with fresh cheese, they have a pronounced cinnamon flavor that reflects Portugal’s Moorish past. The recipe, which reportedly dates back to the 13th or 14th century, is a closely-guarded secret. However, I have found a few approximations online and am eager to give them a try.

• Queijadas de Sintra, from Roteiro Gastronómico de Portugal (in Portuguese)
• Queijadas de Sintra, from The Age
• Queijadas de Sintra, from a comment on Chocolate & Zucchini

These queijadas have also sparked my interest in other Portuguese pastries. Do you have any favorites or recipe recommendations?

Related:

Doce de Abóbora: Sweet Pumpkin Compote

(Image: Tertúlia de Sabores, used by permission)

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