Azorean Esperanças — A Colmeia’s Modern Formula
This is the published modern formula for Esperanças from Confeitaria A Colmeia in Ponta Delgada. The bakery recovered the filling of the older Bolinhos da Esperança—bread, yolks, almonds and candied citron—and enclosed it in a thin crisp wrapper. Açoriano Oriental confirms directly with the producer that the outer pastry is an innovation while the filling remained faithful to the recovered family recipe; this record does not present the modern form as the original convent configuration.
- Yields
- Yield not stated by the source
- Prep
- 1 hr cooling; remaining preparation time not stated
- Cook
- 20 min
Ingredients
- 1 teacup measure Wheat flour
- 1 tbsp Lard or butter, for the pastry
- 1 pinch Salt
- as needed; amount not stated Water to bind the pastry
- as needed Olive oil, for the work surface
- 250 g / 8.8 oz Sugar for the filling
- as needed; amount not stated Water for the syrup
- 4 Egg yolks
- as needed; amount not stated Grated day-old bread, soaked and squeezed well
- 100 g / 3.5 oz Ground almonds
- 125 g / 4.4 oz Chopped candied citron
- 1 tbsp Butter for the filling
- as needed Icing sugar for the finish
- as needed Ground cinnamon for the finish
Method
Mix the flour, lard or butter, salt and enough water to bind. Knead thoroughly until the pastry is cohesive and can be rolled out.
Lightly oil a smooth work surface and roll the pastry very thinly. Cover it while preparing the filling so it does not dry out.
Cook the 250 g / 8.8 oz sugar over low heat with enough water to make a syrup, until it reaches thread stage.
Beat the yolks and incorporate them into the syrup in a thin stream, stirring continuously. Add the soaked, squeezed day-old bread and combine with a whisk.
Add the almonds, candied citron and tablespoon of butter, mixing well after each addition. Transfer the filling to a dish and leave it to cool for one hour.
Shape the cold filling into small rolls. Cut portions of the thin pastry, place a filling roll on each and wrap carefully, keeping the seam underneath.
Arrange the Esperanças on a baking tray and make two small slashes in the surface that will face upwards.
Bake in a preheated 180 °C / 355 °F oven for about 20 minutes.
Mix icing sugar and cinnamon to taste and apply the finish after baking. Leave to cool before serving.
Sources for this recipe
The quantities and method were checked against the references below. Family recipes may vary; where no single official formula exists, we present a representative practical version and say so plainly.
Read the editorial policy →
