Sweets and Desserts

Guardanapos

Squares of light dough folded with egg cream filling.

RegionNational / Portuguese pastry
DifficultyMedium
Total time50 min
Yield12 units
Photo of Guardanapos - traditional Portuguese sweet
Photo of the traditional Portuguese recipe.

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

About the recipe

Guardanapos are showcase sweets from Portugal, with fluffy dough folded in a shape that resembles a handkerchief.

The egg cream filling adds color, sweetness, and pastry identity.

Ingredients

  • 5 eggs
  • 150 g of sugar
  • 150 g of flour
  • 1 teaspoon of baking powder
  • Grated lemon zest
  • 300 g of egg cream
  • Sugar for dusting

Preparation method

  1. Beat eggs with sugar until fluffy.
  2. Incorporate flour, baking powder, and zest.
  3. Spread in a shallow baking pan.
  4. Bake until set without drying out.
  5. Cut into squares, fill with egg cream.
  6. Fold into a napkin shape and dust with sugar.

Tips from Empório Portugal

  • Thin dough folds better.
  • Do not overbake to avoid cracks.
  • Egg cream should be cold.

Possible substitutions in Brazil

  • Use fine sponge cake as a base.
  • Pastry cream with egg yolks is a possible adaptation.

Pairing

Coffee, tea, or milk. 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 all traditional recipes, it may vary according to region, family, and cook.

Do you have a family Portuguese recipe?

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