How to Make Malassadas – Typical and Traditional from the Azores

Malassadas are a typical and traditional sweet from the Azores. They consist of fried dough and are mostly prepared between New Year’s Eve and Carnival, being a tradition.

Compared to the well-known sonhos, this delicacy made of fluffy dough, flour, eggs, and sugar is simply delicious and worth trying.

If you have already tasted malassadas or would like to try them, you can make your own at home.

Malassadas Recipe

Ingredients

You can adjust the quantities depending on how many malassadas you want to make.

• 500 grams of flour;
• 3 eggs;
• 60 grams of butter;
• Baker’s yeast or one sachet of Fermipan (11g);
• 380 ml of water;
• Juice of 3 oranges;
• 1 and a half tablespoons of sugar;
• 1 shot of brandy;
• 1 teaspoon of salt;
• Vegetable oil;
• Sugar;
• Cinnamon;

Preparation and Cooking

• Sift the flour together with the sugar and salt into a bowl;
• Dissolve the yeast in lukewarm water and add it to the flour. Mix everything. Now add the orange juice and brandy to the mixture;
• Use your hands to knead the dough. While kneading, add the eggs. Knead until the dough is sufficiently soft;
• Let the dough rise – covered and resting – for 2 to 3 hours in a warm place;
• Grease your hands with flour and take small pieces of the dough. Shape them into circles, making them thinner in the center to create a hole.
• Heat the oil, and when it’s very hot, place the pieces of dough and fry them. Once they are golden on one side, turn them over. When both sides are golden, remove the malassada.
• Place the malassadas in a container with kitchen paper or absorbent paper (to drain the fat). After a few moments, sprinkle them with sugar and cinnamon (while still hot).

Step-by-Step Video

Leonor Santos shared a step-by-step video on how to make delicious Azorean malassadas:

Try this delicious recipe. If you haven’t tried it yet, this is a great opportunity to do so. During your visit to the Azores, you will certainly find this delicacy available for you to enjoy.

Useful Links

• Malassadas by Padaria Gomes & Santos
• Beatriz Couto (photo)