Queijadas De Sintra Portuguese Cheese Tarts with Cinnamon
Indulge in the rich, creamy delight of Queijadas de Sintra, traditional Portuguese cheese tarts infused with the warm spice of cinnamon and a hint of zesty lemon. These charming tarts are made with a buttery, homemade pastry and a luscious filling of ricotta cheese (or requeijão), sweetened with sugar and enhanced by aromatic cinnamon and citrus zest. Baked to golden perfection, their slightly puffed tops highlight their rustic elegance. Perfectly balanced between sweet and tangy, these tarts are a must-try for any dessert lover. Serve them as a snack, dessert, or teatime treat, optionally dusted with powdered sugar for a touch of timeless charm. Ready in just over an hour, these Portuguese pastries are the perfect way to explore the iconic flavors of Sintra from the comfort of your kitchen.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 250 grams all-purpose flour
- 70 grams unsalted butter
- 20 grams granulated sugar (for dough)
- 50 milliliters cold water
- 400 grams ricotta cheese or requeijão
- 250 grams granulated sugar (for filling)
- 6 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 10 grams powdered sugar (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
To prepare the dough, sift the flour into a large mixing bowl.
Add the butter and sugar, then use your hands or a pastry cutter to incorporate the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Slowly add the cold water, a little at a time, and knead gently until the dough comes together into a smooth ball. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a muffin tin or individual tart pans.
For the filling, add the ricotta cheese, sugar, egg yolks, cinnamon, and lemon zest into a mixing bowl. Beat the mixture until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
Remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll it out on a floured surface to a thickness of about 2 mm.
Cut the dough into circles slightly larger than the openings of your tart pans, then gently press the dough into the pans, trimming any excess dough from the edges.
Fill each tart shell with the prepared cheese mixture, leaving a little room at the top as the filling will slightly puff up during baking.
Bake the tarts in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the tops are golden and set.
Remove the tarts from the oven and let them cool completely in the pans before gently removing them.
Optional: Dust the tops with powdered sugar before serving for an extra touch of sweetness.
Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled. Enjoy your Queijadas de Sintra with a cup of coffee or tea!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
297 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 11.2 g | 14% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.5 g | 32% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 122 mg | 41% | |
| Sodium | 33 mg | 1% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 41.4 g | 15% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.8 g | 3% | |
| Total Sugars | 23.5 g | ||
| Protein | 7.3 g | 15% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 86 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 1.2 mg | 6% | |
| Potassium | 66 mg | 1% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
