Sweets and desserts

Farófias

Egg whites poached in aromatic milk, served with an egg-yolk custard and cinnamon.

RegionNationwide
DifficultyMedium
Total time45 min
Servings6 servings
Photo of Farófias — traditional Portuguese recipe
Photo of the traditional Portuguese recipe.

Editorial content from Empório Portugal. Traditional recipes may vary by region, family and cook.

About the recipe

Farófias are a light, delicate Portuguese dessert made with cloud-like poached egg whites in milk.

The contrast between the soft egg whites and the egg yolk cream creates a simple and elegant sweet.

Ingredients

  • 6 eggs, separated
  • 700 ml milk
  • 160 g sugar
  • Lemon peel
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 teaspoon cornflour
  • Ground cinnamon

Method

  1. Gently heat the milk with the lemon peel, cinnamon stick and part of the sugar.
  2. Beat the egg whites to stiff peaks with the reserved sugar.
  3. Poach spoonfuls of the beaten egg whites in the hot milk.
  4. Lift out and set aside.
  5. Mix the egg yolks with the cornflour and a little of the warm milk.
  6. Cook the custard over low heat, then spoon it over the farófias.

Tips from Empório Portugal

  • The milk should simmer gently rather than boil vigorously.
  • Egg whites cook quickly.
  • Cook the egg-yolk custard over low heat.

Possible substitutions in Brazil

  • Starch helps stabilize the cream.
  • Vanilla can be added, although it shifts the traditional profile.

Pairing

Black tea, coffee or sparkling water. No mandatory alcoholic beverage.

Editorial note from Empório Portugal

This recipe is part of the editorial curation of Empório Portugal, developed from Portuguese culinary tradition. Like every traditional recipe, it may vary by region, family and cook.

Do you have a Portuguese family recipe?

Send it to the Empório Portugal community. Submitted recipes are reviewed before any publication.

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Quick facts

Prep
25 min
Cooking
20 min
Total time
45 min
Yield
6 servings
Difficulty
Medium
Occasion
Family dessert

Pairing

Black tea, coffee or sparkling water. No mandatory alcoholic beverage.

Empório tip

The milk should simmer gently rather than boil vigorously.

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