Janisa is an expat in Brazil. She enjoys trying new foods, learning about the culture, and practicing Portuguese.

Baking the Brazilian Way

A few years ago I came across a variation of this recipe on a Brazilian site. I tried it and immediately loved it.

The original recipe uses five simple ingredients, but you can always add some extras to taste.

The original recipe is below, for those interested. The add-ons I've experimented with are listed as optional ingredients.

I will add my own photo as soon as I make this one again. I always get too carried away experimenting with the recipe, so the end result looks nothing like the traditional 'bolo de leite'

Cook Time

Prep time Cook time Ready in Yields 10 min 1 hour 1 hour 10 min serves six or more people

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup milk

1 1/2 cup flour

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup butter, softened

2 eggs

Optional Ingredients

Chocolate chips: I personally think the cake tastes better without them, but some people said they enjoyed having a hint of chocolate in the cake.

I personally think the cake tastes better without them, but some people said they enjoyed having a hint of chocolate in the cake. Cinnamon: I love the smell, so I add cinnamon to literally every recipe, but it's not part of the original ingredients list.

I love the smell, so I add cinnamon to literally every recipe, but it's not part of the original ingredients list. Coconut: add as much as you want! The only issue with adding too much is that the cake will taste more like coconut cake and less like milk cake.

add as much as you want! The only issue with adding too much is that the cake will taste more like coconut cake and less like milk cake. Nuts I sprinkled some almond bits on top before putting it in the oven. Tastes alright, but I prefer the coconut.

I sprinkled some almond bits on top before putting it in the oven. Tastes alright, but I prefer the coconut. Condensed milk: This can be used as a topping ingredient for those that like their desserts to be extra sweet.

This can be used as a topping ingredient for those that like their desserts to be extra sweet. Dulce de leche: Same thing as condensed milk. If you're artistic, you could use a combination of dulce de leche and condensed milk to create some designs on your cake.

Baking Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Add all the mandatory ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Mix with electric mixer until smooth. Add optional ingredients, if desired. Mix with a spoon. Grease pan, pour mixture into the pan. Sprinkle some optional ingredients on top, if you want. Bake for around 1 hour. Just like with the coconut cake, using a toothpick won't help you in deciding whether it's done or not. Let it cool before enjoying

Tip

The first few times when I've made this cake, the batter appeared to be too liquidy, so I added extra flour. However, the batter for this cake is meant to be this way and there is nothing to worry about. If you follow the proportions I have suggested in the ingredients list, your bolo de leite will turn out alright at the end of the recommended baking time. Feel free to check up on the cake during the baking process, but like I said, don't freak out if it appears to be too watery to be a cake; it will all turn out well in the end. However, if it makes you feel better, an extra 1/4 cup of flour won't do any harm. Enjoy the recipe!









© 2018 Janisa