São João da Madeira Ermelindas

Also known as: Ermelindas · São João da Madeira Almond Cakes

Small rectangular almond-and-egg-custard cakes created for travellers on the former National Road 1.

Origin: São João da Madeira · Aveiro district
Region: São João da Madeira
Season: Year-round

Sweetness

Richness

Difficulty

Ermelindas are small oblong pastries baked in rectangular metal moulds. A very thin pastry rim encloses a golden almond-and-egg-custard body; in the oven the top rises into a low dome with a porous surface, while the corners caramelise to a darker brown.

Although they resemble small cakes, a cross-section reveals two textures: thin firm base and sides, and a moist, dense, intensely yellow interior. Their compact format was designed to travel, consistent with the sweet's origin as a provision for people passing through the city.

Ingredients

almonds
egg-yolk custard
sugar
eggs
wheat flour
butter

Taste & texture

Very sweet and almond-rich, with egg-yolk depth, a moist interior and thin lightly caramelised edges.

Variations

The commercial recipe remains with its producer and is not published in detail. Documented pieces retain their oblong rectangular shape, low golden top and almond–egg-custard combination.

Where to try it

At Confeitaria Concha Doce on Praça Luís Ribeiro in central São João da Madeira.

Pairs well with

Espresso or unsweetened black tea.

History

Around 1970, before the A1 motorway diverted traffic, National Road 1 brought travellers between Lisbon and northern Portugal through São João da Madeira. Ermelinda created a local cake that could be sold to those travellers and gave it her own name. Confeitaria Concha Doce preserved production and presents itself as the home of the speciality, whose story is also recorded in regional gastronomy guides.

Sources: noponto.pt · amares.pt · portoregion.com · confeitaria-e-pastelaria-concha-doce.makro.bar · cm-terrasdebouro.pt

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