Queijada de Sintra
Sintra, Portugal
These small, sweet tarts feature a delicate, paper-thin pastry crust filled with a rich mixture of fresh cheese, sugar, eggs, and cinnamon. Baked to a beautiful golden brown, they offer a dense, sweet, and slightly textured bite.
Why locals eat it
Originating in the medieval era in nearby Sintra, these tarts were once used as a form of currency to pay land taxes. Today, they are deeply integrated into Lisbon's pastry culture and are enjoyed alongside espresso.
Local tip
Pair this sweet pastry with a strong, unsweetened espresso (known locally as a bica) to perfectly balance the rich cheese sweetness.
Typically made with
fresh cheese, sugar, egg yolks, flour, cinnamon, butter. Recipes vary — always check with the vendor if you have allergies.