Cernache do Bonjardim Almond Cones
Also known as: Cernache do Bonjardim Cartuchinhos
Baked almond-studded pastry cones filled with golden egg-and-almond cream.
- Origin
- Cernache do Bonjardim · late 19th century
- Place
- Cernache do Bonjardim · Sertã
- Region
- The Centre
- Category
- Convent Sweets
- Season
- Year-round; especially on celebration days
- Evidence
- Well documented
Cartuchos de Amêndoa de Cernache do Bonjardim pair a cone-shaped shell of flour, butter, eggs and almonds with a thick sugar, egg and almond filling. Rolled pastry is cut into squares, wrapped around the outside of cone moulds, egg-washed and coated with coarsely ground almonds before baking.
Once cool, the cones are filled to the rim with golden-yellow cream. The shell is dry, buttery and grainy while the centre is moist and concentrated—a contrast that distinguishes them from fried cones found elsewhere.
- wheat flour
- butter
- eggs
- white sugar
- almonds
A buttery toasted shell coated in almonds, with a sweet, moist and intensely almond-rich filling.
Cone size, the coarseness of the outer almonds and filling density vary by maker, but the traditional shell is always baked rather than fried.
In pastry shops around Cernache do Bonjardim and Sertã; they are customary at weddings, baptisms and local celebrations. The 2023 National Convent Confectionery Competition awarded gold to Gapo & Oliveira's ‘Cartuchinhos de Amêndoa’ in Cernache do Bonjardim, documenting recent production; confirm retail access before visiting.
Espresso, black tea or almond liqueur.
They probably appeared in the late 19th century, although their exact origin is unknown. The presence in Cernache do Bonjardim of the Missions Seminary, the Convent of São José and the Servants of Mary, together with the sweet's composition, supports a likely convent origin.
Well documented
Identity supported by institutional, specialist or corroborating sources.
- tradicional.dgadr.gov.pt/pt/cat/doces-e-produtos-de-pastelaria/1046-cartuchos-de-amendoa-de-cernache-do-bonjardim (opens in a new tab)
- turismodocentro.pt/artigo/docaria-regional-do-centro-de-portugal/ (opens in a new tab)
- concursosnacionais.pt/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Premiados-Do%C3%A7aria-Conventual-23.pdf (opens in a new tab)
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