Bolo Lêvedo das Furnas – Traditional Azorean Recipe

Bolo Lêvedo is a typical and regional sweet from the Vale das Furnas on São Miguel Island, Azores. This cake is round and not very tall, made with eggs, flour, sugar, butter, yeast, milk, and salt.

Its origin is related to the presence of the first settlers of this region, who relied on it as a staple food. Nowadays, it is a renowned delicacy that attracts the curiosity of thousands of tourists and is equally appreciated by locals. It is said that visiting Furnas and not trying the famous bolos lêvedos is like going to Rome and not seeing the Pope.

Photo: Tá Consolando

Due to its popularity, this cake, which was initially consumed simply, is now also used in restaurants, served as a base for burgers, and with butter, cheese, and ham, known as a Bolo Lêvedo Misto. When pressed, it has a unique taste and flavor.

In the Furnas, you can also find the two largest producers of this specialty, Maria da Glória Moniz and Rosa Quental. Locally, you can find this specialty in any commercial establishment, and due to the high demand, more and more bakeries are producing and selling this product.

If you have already tried Bolo Lêvedo and miss savoring this unique product, here is the complete recipe so you can make it at home.

Bolo Lêvedo Recipe

Ingredients

• 500g all-purpose flour;
• 125g sugar;
• 125g butter;
• 15g fresh baker’s yeast;
• 200ml warm whole milk;
• 2 eggs;
• 1 teaspoon of salt;

Preparing the Dough

1. To start the recipe, begin by preparing the dough for the bolo lêvedo. Place the flour in a bowl, making a well in the center, and add the milk, eggs, sugar, butter, and yeast. Mix everything with a wooden spoon until the dough forms.
2. Add the salt and mix everything very well with your hands. Remove the dough from the bowl and knead it thoroughly. Once done, form a ball, dust it with flour, and place it in a bowl to rise. Leave it in a warm place for about one to two hours, until it doubles in size.
3. Once the dough has risen, form small balls (the size of an orange, for example) and place them on a floured kitchen towel. Use all the dough to form several balls, leaving a small space between them.
4. Dust all the dough balls with flour again and cover them with a towel. Let them rise for another one to two hours, until they double in size.

Cooking

Now that the dough is ready, let’s proceed to cook the bolos lêvedos. Traditionally, they are baked in a wood-fired oven in a clay dish. For this homemade recipe, use a skillet.

Heat the skillet over low heat. Flatten the dough balls with a plate or your hand and place them in the skillet.

Tip: You can fry them directly in the skillet or lightly dust the skillet with some flour.

Fry the cakes until they are golden on both sides. Due to the volume of dough, the heat should be kept low to avoid burning the bolo lêvedo. Turn them several times if necessary.

When they reach the desired color and consistency, remove them to a basket or cloth and cover them while you finish cooking the rest.

Serving Suggestions

Now that you have finished and made your Bolos Lêvedos, it’s time to enjoy them. They are delicious on their own, but as mentioned earlier, you can enjoy them in other ways. Here are some suggestions:

• Spread with butter while still warm;
• With cheese and ham;
• With jam or preserves;
• With honey;
• With garlic butter;
• They can be used as a base for burgers;

Where to Buy

During your stay, you can easily find Bolos Lêvedos for sale in commercial establishments. If you are not in the Azores and miss this Azorean product, check the list of stores that sell Azorean products in mainland Portugal or online stores.

Video Recipe Bolo Lêvedo

Through the YouTube channel Sabores dos Açores by Leonor Santos, an Azorean emigrant in Bermuda, you can also see step by step how to make your Bolos Lêvedos.

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Did you like this recipe? If you have had the opportunity to try bolo lêvedo, this recipe allows you to enjoy it at home. If you are not familiar with this unique Azorean specialty, this is yet another reason to visit the Azores.

See also: Azorean Recipes and Cuisine >