Bem-casado is a delicious and traditional sweet pastry that's often served at weddings and other celebrations in Brazil, and if you'd like to know more about it and its recipe, you're in the right place.
The name "bem-casado" literally means "well-married" in Portuguese, and it's said to bring good luck to those who eat it.
In this blog post, we'll explore the history of bem-casado, the traditional recipe, and some modern variations.
We'll also share tips on serving and decorating these sweet treats and some success stories from Brazil.
Bem-Casado: a pastry that symbolizes a love story
The history of bem-casado is quite romantic.
It's said that the pastry was created in Portugal, where it was served at weddings and other special events. It was called “casadinhos portugueses.” [in Portuguese]
And since Portugal colonized many countries, the bem-casado became a traditional pastry in many countries as well, each one with its own ways of preparing and serving it.
According to superstition, one should bite the bem-casado after making a wish. The wish is usually related to the newlyweds, but it can be a personal wish as well.
Bem-Casado: Ingredients and How to Prepare
If you can speak Portuguese, you'll see a variation of this recipe in the video below. But otherwise you can follow the traditional recipe.
To make the traditional bem-casado, you'll need the following ingredients for the standard recipe:
- Six eggs
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 cup of flour
- ½ teaspoon of baking powder
- 1 can of dulce de leche
- Paper and ribbon for wrapping
Get Your Apron On, Recipe Time!
Just a quick reminder: this is the traditional bem-casado recipe. You'll find variations of this Brazilian pastry over the internet... and even from person to person.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Beat the eggs and sugar together in a bowl until light and fluffy.
- In a separate bowl, mix the flour and baking powder together.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the egg mixture, stirring gently until well combined.
- Pour the batter into a greased and floured cake pan.
- Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool.
- Cut the cake into small rounds using a cookie cutter.
- Spread dulce de leche on one side of the cake rounds and top with another cake round to form a sandwich.
- Wrap the sandwiches on paper and tie them with a ribbon.
And the coating
To make the sugar coating for Bem-casado, you'll need powdered sugar and water. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of powdered sugar (what we call “açúcar de confeiteiro” in Brazil)
- 2-3 tablespoons of [warm] water
Instructions:
- Place the powdered sugar in a bowl or a wide plate.
- Gradually add water, one tablespoon at a time, to the powdered sugar. Stir well after each addition until you achieve a smooth, thick consistency. You want the mixture to be thick enough to coat the bem-casado, but still liquid enough to spread easily.
- Mix the sugar and water thoroughly until you have a smooth and glossy sugar coating. If the mixture is too thick, add a little more water. If it's too thin, add more powdered sugar until you reach the desired consistency.
- Take one half of the bem-casado and dip the top part into the sugar coating, ensuring it is fully submerged. Lift it out and allow any excess sugar coating to drip off.
- Place the coated bem-casado on a wire rack or a parchment-lined tray to allow the sugar coating to dry and harden. Repeat the process for the remaining halves.
- Let the sugar coating dry completely before serving or packaging the bem-casados.
Note: The sugar coating should dry to a firm consistency, creating a thin and crunchy shell around the bem-casado. If you prefer a softer coating, you can reduce the amount of powdered sugar or add a touch of corn syrup to the mixture.
And should you want to spice things up with your own touch...
If you want to switch things up, try these modern variations:
Use different types of filling, such as chocolate ganache or fruit jam.
Substitute the traditional sponge cake for a different type of cake, such as a chocolate or almond cake.
Add some texture by rolling the edges of the cake sandwiches in coconut flakes or chopped nuts.
How to serve bem-casado
When serving bem-casado, it's essential to keep the tradition of tying the cake with a ribbon.
This adds to the charm and symbolism of the pastry in addition to making it look really good.
You can also decorate the cakes with fresh flowers or small trinkets to match the theme of your celebration.
A sweet pastry from Brazil
Bem-casado is a staple dessert at weddings in Brazil. Over the years, many couples have incorporated bem-casado into their wedding celebrations, but it doesn’t mean you should eat it only in marriages: it's a good ask for all special occasions!
Whether you're enjoying a traditional recipe or trying out a modern variation, this sweet treat will surely delight your taste buds and bring a smile to your face.
So next time you celebrate a special occasion, consider adding some bem-casado to the menu and enjoy the sweet taste of Brazil's rich cuisine.