Nº 517 Brandy Biscuits
Cakes & Sweet Breads · The Azores

Brandy Biscuits

Crisp Santa Maria rings kneaded with eggs, rich fats and a glass of brandy.

Origin
Santa Maria Island · Azores
Region
Santa Maria Island
Season
Year-round
Sweetness
Richness
Difficulty

Santa Maria's Biscoitos de Aguardente are individual pieces stretched by hand and joined into rings before entering a very hot oven. Their dough combines flour, eggs, sugar, salt, butter, lard and brandy, with no added water.

Vigorous kneading, generous eggs and a glass of brandy give them an especially crisp texture and intense aroma. On the island they are also popularly known as cagarrinhos.

Ingredients
  • flour
  • eggs
  • sugar
  • butter
  • lard
  • brandy
  • salt
Taste & texture

Dry and very crisp, rich in egg and fat, with brandy's warm fragrance.

Variations

Ring size and opening vary according to the portion of dough and how its ends are joined.

Where to try it

On Santa Maria Island, in local-product shops, grocers and craft outlets.

Pairs well with

Coffee, tea or an Azorean liqueur.

History

They are a Santa Maria Island speciality available throughout the year in food and craft shops. The alternative name cagarrinhos refers to the Cory's shearwater, a seabird deeply tied to the island's landscape and food memory.

Sources: tradicional.dgadr.gov.pt