Filhoses da Terceira: What They Are, Their Origin, and a Step-by-Step Recipe

The filhoses from Ilha Terceira are a traditional dessert from the autonomous region of the Azores, more precisely – as the name suggests – from Ilha Terceira. They are a popular dessert during festive seasons like Christmas and Carnival, but it is also common to find this delicacy throughout the year in local bakeries and pastry shops.

The filhoses from Ilha Terceira have a light and crispy texture, similar to puff pastry, but with a sweet and mild flavor. The original recipe consists of a dough made from wheat flour, eggs, sugar, water, and yeast, which is fried in hot oil.

The origin of filhoses on Ilha Terceira dates back to the 16th century when the Azores islands were frequented by ships from Europe, Africa, and South America. These influences resulted in a rich and varied regional cuisine, and filhoses are an example of this.

Over time, the recipe has been passed down from generation to generation, and today it is one of the most cherished delicacies by Azoreans and visitors to the region.

Besides being a delicious dessert, the filhoses from Ilha Terceira also have significant cultural value, as they are part of the gastronomic identity of the islands. By sharing the recipe, Azorean families preserve their tradition and history, passing on a unique culinary legacy to future generations.

Recipe for Filhoses from Ilha Terceira

We share the recipe authored by the channel karla cooking 🥦

Ingredients

• 5 eggs
• 250 g of flour
• 1 teaspoon of yeast
• 1 teaspoon of fine salt
• 250ml milk
• 250ml water

Preparation

• Before starting the recipe, it is recommended to grease the molds with plenty of butter so that, when the mixture is ready, you only have to pour it into the containers.
• Preheat the oven to 220ºC before starting the recipe. A hot oven is essential for the success of the recipe.
• Start the recipe by beating the eggs for some time, about 1 to 2 minutes.
• Next, add the flour and milk/water. Add both ingredients gradually (see video below).
• After the eggs, flour, milk, and water are well beaten, add the yeast and salt. Beat again for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Now that the dough mixture is ready, it’s time to place it in the containers. Do not fill them too much (3/4).
• Then place in the oven for about 15 to 20 minutes at 220ºC
• Remove from the oven and let cool.

Filling / cream application

Ingredients

• 4 egg yolks
• 150ml of milk
• 4 tablespoons of sugar
• 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
• 2 lemon zests

Preparation

• Place all the ingredients in a small saucepan, stirring constantly to prevent cooking until it gains some consistency.
• Once it is uniform and creamy, remove it from the saucepan and let it cool.

The video below also provides an alternative recipe for white cream / whipped cream.

Applying the cream to the filhoses

1. Make a small cut in the filhose for a small opening;
2. Insert the filling inside the filhose to taste;
3. Enjoy

Step-by-step video recipe