Arcos de Valdevez Almond Disc Cake

Also known as: Arcos Layered Almond Disc Cake

Thin almond-meringue discs stacked with generous layers of ovos moles.

Origin: Arcos de Valdevez · Upper Minho
Region: Arcos de Valdevez
Season: Year-round and for celebrations

Sweetness

Richness

Difficulty

Bolo de Discos is a low round cake assembled as a stack of very thin sheets made from egg whites, sugar and skin-on almonds. A glossy yellow layer of ovos moles is spread between every disc, making the alternation unmistakable in a cut slice.

The final disc is left uncovered, then finished with plenty of icing sugar, toasted almonds and, in some presentations, egg threads or a dark diamond pattern. Despite its layered appearance, it contains no puff pastry: the dry, gently chewy layers are almond-meringue discs.

Ingredients

egg whites
sugar
skin-on almonds
egg yolks
icing sugar
toasted almonds

Taste & texture

Very sweet, with toasted almond, gently crisp discs and creamy egg-yolk filling.

Variations

Decoration may include chopped or sliced almonds, egg threads and caramelised patterns. The number of discs and the thickness of the ovos-moles filling vary by maker.

Where to try it

At restaurants and sweet shops in Arcos de Valdevez, served by the slice or as a sharing cake.

Pairs well with

Espresso, black tea or dry white Vinho Verde.

History

Arcos de Valdevez Tourism presents Bolo de Discos as one of the municipality's defining specialities and publishes its recipe. In 2019 the municipality included it among local entries for Portugal's Seven Sweet Wonders, alongside Pão-de-ló de Soajo, Charutos de Ovos and Rebuçados dos Arcos.

Sources: visitarcos.pt · visitarcos.pt · cm-terrasdebouro.pt

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